Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons presents a rare World War One Model of 1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). The BAR was designed by John Moses Browning and initially intended as a semi-automatic or fully-automatic select fire rifle for advancing troops. It was meant to be fired from the hip or shoulder, with the ability to switch to full-auto in close combat. The rifle was produced by three companies: Colt, Winchester, and Marlin-Rockwell, with Winchester producing the majority.
Only 102,000 BARs were made, despite a contract for 288,000, due to the war ending before production could be completed. The BARs were not widely used in World War One, with the first combat use occurring in late September 1918. General John Pershing delayed the use of the BARs, fearing that the Germans would capture and reverse-engineer them. The BARs were eventually used in combat, but their impact was limited.
McCollum also discusses the development and production of the BAR, including John Browning's decision to forgo most of his royalty payments. The video also showcases a rare example of a World War One-era gunner's belt for the BAR, which is part of the James D. Julia auction house's collection.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The video is about a World War One Model of 1918 Browning BAR rifle.
2. The Browning BAR was developed by John Moses Browning.
3. The BAR was a gas-operated, semi-automatic or fully-automatic select fire rifle.
4. The rifle was designed to be fired from the hip and from the shoulder.
5. The original tactical concept was to have a group of men equipped with BARs advance on an enemy position, firing from the hip in semi-automatic mode.
6. The BAR was intended to keep the enemy's heads down while the soldiers advanced.
7. The rifle had a three-position fire selector group: F for fire, A for automatic, and S for safe.
8. The BAR was manufactured by three different companies: Colt, Winchester, and Marlin-Rockwell.
9. Winchester produced the majority of the BARs.
10. The US government contracted for about 288,000 BARs, but only 102,000 were produced.
11. The BARs were split into serial number blocks for each company.
12. The first order for the BAR was placed in July 1917.
13. A public demonstration of the BAR was held in February 1918.
14. The first substantial production of the BAR began in July 1918.
15. John Browning ceded most of his royalty payments for the BAR, receiving a one-time lump sum payment of $1.25 million.
16. The BAR saw combat use in late September 1918.
17. General John Pershing delayed the use of the BAR to prevent the Germans from capturing and reverse-engineering the rifle.
18. Pershing wanted to equip full divisions with the BAR before deploying them in combat.
19. The BAR was used in small numbers in the US Army during World War One.
20. The rifle was modified in World War Two, with changes including the addition of a bipod.
Please note that I've excluded opinions and focused on extracting verifiable facts from the text.