Monthly Archives: June 2017

Cape Helles on a summer’s day in 1915

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(Photo source - © IWM Q 13340) (Colourised by Royston Leonard from the UK)

(Photo source – © IWM Q 13340) (Colourised by Royston Leonard from the UK)

A British 60 pounder Mk I battery in action on a cliff top at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, possibly in June 1915. The unit might be the 90th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, located forward of Hill 114. The gun has the inscription “Annie” painted on the barrel.

IWM caption: A 60-pounder battery in action on a cliff top. Right to left: Ron Hilyard (sitting down), Fred Garland (sitting down), Horrie Veivers (standing), Bill Lamprill (standing with shell), Alf Easther (standing next to gun), Tom Gaston (sitting with shell), Frank Lynch (on knee behind gun), Charles Geard (standing), Angus Suthers (standing), Joe Beckworth (standing) ,Herb Silcock(?)

 

Stumbled across this in Atlanta last month

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This obscure object of desire has me thinking of picking one up.

Oooooooooooo

Florida-based Fightlite (formerly Ares Defense) created the MXR as a select-fire submachine gun in response to an international L/E requirement, but are now looking to market it in semi-auto pistol and rifle versions. It’s suppressor-ready, and like the Kel-Tec Sub2000 can be configured to take a number of different pistol mags from Glock, Beretta, CZ or Sig.

I just need to get some range time with one before I make up my mind.

The evolution of the mighty, mighty Owen

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In the darkest days of WWII, 24-year-old Pvt. Evelyn Ernest Owen, with 2/17 Battalion of the Australian Army, from Wollongong, New South Wales, submitted a homemade gun he made to the Army for testing.

His handy burp gun used a gramophone spring, was chambered in .22 rimfire, and was rejected.

But he kept working on the design, and, in full production by 1943, proved one of the most popular of WWII submachine guns– at least in Commonwealth service in the Pacific.


More in my column at Guns.com.

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