Muskets at the Battle of Waterloo: Injuries of War, Then vs. Now

The Napoleonic Wars waged for twelve years with many weapons and tactics employed in the fight. This is especially true of the epic Battle of Waterloo on June 18th of 1815, a battle which finally brought the tyrannical rule of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte to an end. Of the weapons used in the fight, perhaps the most prevalent was the musket. The muzzle-loaded, smoothbore musket was the standard equipment for heavy cavalry. Most every infantryman carried one of these muskets which fired iron balls that were three quarters of an inch in diameter. The common model of the time was the Charleville 1777 which was implemented in light infantry, cavalry and … More after the Jump…

5 Important American-Made Pistols Used During World War II

Growing up, my older brother made no bones about his fascination with the second world war. He would regularly purchase Nazi regalia from guns and knives shows, everything from SS medals and historical textbooks to reproductions of Nazi Youth helmets and banners bearing the swastika logo. At the time, I thought he had an unhealthy obsession with Nazi culture, but later in life, I’d come to find that it wasn’t the Nazis my brother was so taken with. It was, in fact, the entire war itself. One day, I went to a flea market with my brother and, as we explored a display of antique armor and armaments, I watched … More after the Jump…

Brief History of the Iconic AR-15 Rifle

Many rifle enthusiasts will be able to pick this semi-automatic rifle out of a line-up. Known for its distinctive features, the AR-15 rifle has a long history of use stemming back to its inception in 1964 as the Colt AR-15. Although it is undoubtedly one of the most popular rifles ever constructed, the chances are that there are a lot of aspects of the AR-15’s history that you were not aware of. Let’s dig in and find out what kind of events lurk in the history of the AR-15 and how it came to be one of the most sought-after semi-automatics. The Founding of ArmaLite in 1954 Ever wonder what … More after the Jump…