A 29-page manual was issued in the form of a comic book, presumably to make sure it got read and not discarded like most standard, dry military manuals.
Story Behind the M16 Comic Book Manual
Today is Monday, November 11, 2019 
RSS feed
RSS feed
Logan Metesh is an historian with a focus on firearms history and development. He runs High Caliber History LLC and has more than a decade of experience working for the Smithsonian Institution, the National Park Service, and the NRA Museums. His ability to present history and research in an engaging manner has made him a sought after consultant, writer, and museum professional. The ease with which he can recall obscure historical facts and figures makes him very good at Jeopardy!, but exceptionally bad at geometry.
This Day in History: Gun Maker Eliphalet Remington is Born
On October 28, 1793, Eliphalet Remington II was born in Suffield, Connecticut. His father was a blacksmith, and Eliphalet followed in his footsteps, eventually going to work in the family business.
This Day in History: Gun Control Act of 1968 Signed into Law
On October 22, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Gun Control Act of 1968 into law.
This Day in History: the UD42 is Patented
On October 14, 1940, Carl Swebilius of High Standard patented a submachine gun chambered for the 9x19mm cartridge.
This Day in History: Father of the FAL Dies
On October 12, 1970, Dieudonne Saive passed away at the age of 82. His most famous legacy is that of the Fusil Automatique Leger, or FAL.
Gun that Fired the First Shot at Bunker Hill for Sale
John Simpson fired his Dutch Type III smoothbore musket, opening the Battle of Bunker Hill and cementing his place in history.
This Day in History: Savage 99 is Patented
On October 3, 1899, Arthur Savage received US patent number 63,4034 for a firearm that would become known as the Savage Model 99.
Reverend Forsyth and the Birth of Percussion Ignition
One might not expect a frustrated duck hunter and man of the cloth to be the chosen individual to usher in a new age of firearms technology. However, Reverend Alexander John Forsyth did just that.
History Lesson: the Beaumont-Adams Revolver
Even though Colt’s success would ultimately last a lot longer, Robert Adams is credited with driving Sam Colt out of business in Britain.
This Day in History: Kijirō Nambu is Born
Lieutenant General Kijirō Nambu, whose name is best known when preceded by “Grandpa,” “Papa,” or “Baby,” was born on September 22, 1869.
The Welrod: World War II Suppressed Spy Pistol
Made by the Birmingham Small Arms Company, the Welrod was quite unique. It was – obviously – designed to blend in and not look like a gun upon first glance.
Working with Guns Recovered from Ground Zero on 9/11
As a museum professional, I’ve had the opportunity to handle some remarkable pieces of American history, and these three all relate to September 11th.
This Day in History: American Sharp Shooter Hiram Berdan is Born
From 1846 to 1860, Hiram Berdan was considered to be the best rifle shooter in the United States. This prominence gained him the attention of General Winfield Scott and President Abraham Lincoln.
The ACTUAL Tommy Guns from the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre
The long saga of the two Tommy guns from the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre unfolds: from Chicago to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department in Michigan.
USMC Sniper Carlos Hathcock’s First Rifle, Stevens Model 15-A
Ask anyone what kind of gun was used when they learned how to shoot as a child and they will almost always say it was some kind of .22-caliber pistol or rifle.
Fact Check: The Founding Fathers *DID* Know About Repeating Rifles
Many people claim, incorrectly, that the Founding Fathers couldn’t have conceived of repeating rifles when they drafted the Second Amendment.
Winchester-Browning Alliance Part 3 – Winchester’s “Sour Grapes”
Much to their dismay, John Moses Browning got along just fine without Winchester.
Winchester-Browning Alliance, Part 2: Mr. Browning Goes to Remington & FN
Rejected by Winchester, John Moses Browning took his new idea for a shotgun to Remington, and then across the Atlantic to Fabrique Nationale in Belgium.
This Day in History: Browning Improves the 1911
Browning received US patent 1,070,582 on August 19, 1913.
The End of the Winchester-Browning Alliance, Part 1
The partnership between John Moses Browning and Winchester Repeating Arms was legendary.
This Day in History: Engraver Herman Ulrich Starts at Winchester
On July 29, 1870, a 23-year-old engraver by the name of Herman Leslie Ulrich took a job at the Winchester Repeating Arms Company.
This Day in History: Sturm, Ruger & Company Gets their First FFL
On July 21, 1949, Sturm, Ruger & Company was issued their first FFL, or Federal Firearms License.
This Day in History: Gaston Glock is Born
Ninety years ago today, on July 19, 1929, Gaston Glock was born in Vienna, Austria.
This Day in History: Watermelons Help Secure AR15 Military Order
On July 4, 1960, Air Force General Curtis LeMay unknowingly set in motion the steps necessary for the AR15 to become widely regarded as “America’s Rifle.”
This Day in History: North American Arms Obtains 1911 Contract
North American Arms received a contract to make 1911s, but WWI ended and their contract was cancelled before production began.
