Historical Guns

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The Kent State Shootings: Glimpsing the Heart of Darkness

The Kent State Shootings: Glimpsing the Heart of Darkness

On the campus of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, forces representing the Establishment were arrayed against a motley mob of some 2,000 students, hippies, stoners, bikers, and sundry anti-war protestors.

Real Live Machinegun Crime: Roger Waller and his Full Auto .380ACP MAC-11

Real Live Machinegun Crime: Roger Waller and his Full Auto .380ACP MAC-11

Since 1934 there have been two cases wherein the legal owner of a registered machinegun committed a crime with his weapon. Only one is well documented.

Hunters from the Sky: German Fallschirmjagers

Hunters from the Sky: German Fallschirmjagers

Back in 1940, unproven troops using unproven tactics shook the world’s foundations with radical operations like the seizure of the Waalhaven Airfield. Modern armed conflict would never be the same.

The Megalomaniac Who Inspired World War 2

The Megalomaniac Who Inspired World War 2

In a way, Benito Mussolini shaped both the beginning and end of WW2 in Europe. His heavy-handed governance inspired that of Adolf Hitler, while the frenetic nature of his demise drove Hitler to his ultimate doom.

The Cow’s Foot Pistol That Saved the World

The Cow’s Foot Pistol That Saved the World

Winston Churchill’s C96 pistol likely saved his life at the Battle of Omdurman in 1898. Had it not been for Churchill’s indomitable force of personality England might have fallen during the darkest days of the Battle of Britain. Sometimes the fate of the world turns on the tiniest things.

The Violent Accidental Death of Brandon Lee: The Smith and Wesson Model 629 .44 Magnum

The Violent Accidental Death of Brandon Lee: The Smith and Wesson Model 629 .44 Magnum

A horrible on-set accident during the filming of the dark action horror film The Crow ultimately snuffed the career of a promising young actor.

The Manliest Actor in Hollywood and the Machinegun that Almost Killed Him

The Manliest Actor in Hollywood and the Machinegun that Almost Killed Him

John Wayne was an American icon. There has never been an actor that so personified the paragon of manliness as the Duke.

1911 Baby Machine Gun and the Baby Faced Monster: Lester Gillis

1911 Baby Machine Gun and the Baby Faced Monster: Lester Gillis

The Lebman 1911 Baby Machinegun Gillis wielded against the three lawmen near the Little Bohemia Lodge was an optimized gangster tool.

The Manson Family Murders: Helter Skelter, Part 2

The Manson Family Murders: Helter Skelter, Part 2

Charles Manson was the chemical formula for crazy. His messianic influence over his mostly female followers drove them to commit some of the most egregious crimes.

Rem 870, M16A1, & The Shannon Street Massacre

Rem 870, M16A1, & The Shannon Street Massacre

Lindberg Sanders hated cops no matter their race, age, or gender. In 1983 eight people lost their lives in the early salvoes of a self-sustaining cycle of hatred and violence that persists today.