Small copies of weapons. Weapon miniature
Can be repeated as a miniature model. Such products are of great interest to collectors, and in addition, they allow craftsmen to hone their skills in solving particularly complex problems. By practicing various techniques and technologies, masters create more and more smaller copies of weapons, and also develop new versions of their internal mechanics, which allow them to copy not only the appearance of the prototype.
Miniature weapons are created by craftsmen from different countries. Despite the complexity of the work, many specialists are involved in this area. For well-known reasons, one of the world centers for the development and production of miniatures is the Russian city of Tula. It is noteworthy that Tula craftsmen began making smaller guns and pistols almost simultaneously with their full-size military counterparts. The emergence of such production had its own reasons, directly related to the development of the weapons industry.
Two versions of the Maxim miniature machine gun. Photo by Mikron LLC / miniguns.ru
In the distant past, small arms were made by craftsmen who required the appropriate skills. To demonstrate their skills, as well as in competition with colleagues, gunsmiths often created smaller versions of existing systems. Despite the different dimensions, the miniature had to have efficient mechanics and skillful finishing. An interesting fact is that from a certain time in some Russian weapons workshops, such products, claiming to be a work of art, were an examination paper confirming the skills of the master.
Over the past centuries, Tula's weapons production has developed in accordance with the needs of the customer, but at the same time retained the potential for producing miniatures. Moreover, a certain increase in demand for such products, observed in the recent past, has led to the emergence of new workshops and private companies. If all formalities are observed, those interested can purchase their favorite souvenir.
However, you will have to pay for the fine work of the master. For example, a revolver for standard 4.5 mm primers can cost at least 20-25 thousand rubles. More complex models that copy weapons of other classes with different mechanics, as well as differing finishes, will have an appropriate price. The cost of a working copy of an army machine gun can reach several hundred thousand rubles.
Kalashnikov assault rifle on a small scale. Photo "Arsenal of Miniatures" / miniaturearsenal.ru
Like full-fledged military, sporting or hunting weapons, miniatures can be classified. They can be divided by prototype classes or by capabilities and, as a consequence, by design features. Reduced dimensions impose certain restrictions, which is why a reduced copy cannot always replicate the design of a full-size original and have the same capabilities. Such problems are caused solely by mechanics and physics.
The first conventional class of weapon miniatures are exact copies that repeat all the details of the original. When creating such a weapon, the master strives to copy an existing model as accurately as possible. Using certain tools, he must produce to scale all the parts present in the original weapon. The result of this work is a smaller pistol, machine gun, etc., completely replicating the prototype both in its design and operating principles.
The miniature copy can be disassembled and assembled in the same way as the original, it can be loaded and reloaded, and also use a trigger mechanism. However, a significant part of such products cannot fire. They may come with large-scale models of cartridges, but their use is excluded. The fact is that the dimensions and mechanical characteristics of reduced weapon parts may not correspond to the loads encountered during shooting. There is also a problem with the parameters of small-sized springs.
Degtyarev machine gun from master Alexey Perfilyev. A match allows you to estimate the scale. Photo Diy.ru
However, shooting copies still exist. Known limitations can often be circumvented when creating models of rifles with manual reloading or revolvers. Such weapons are not distinguished by the complexity of their design, which makes it possible to combine the exact appearance of the prototype and the ability to fire in one miniature.
In the case of copying self-loading pistols, machine guns, machine guns and other systems with complex designs, a different approach can be used. Such miniatures can be classified as “external image models”. When they are created, only the external parts of the prototype are accurately copied, which can be seen without disassembling. The internal filling of the receiver, in turn, is developed at the discretion of the master and in accordance with the assigned tasks.
When designing such weapons, the master is not bound by any restrictions, and therefore can use the most convenient and optimal solutions. The result of this is the appearance of a shooting miniature, although it does not have all the functions of the original. The fact is that the vast majority of such weapon copies are single-shot. There are known experiments on the introduction of systems for supplying cartridges from a magazine, but the solutions proposed in this area, for a number of reasons, have not received proper distribution. The emergence of automatic reloading is also hampered by the specifics of miniature ammunition.
A shooting replica of an AK in 1:2 scale and ammunition for it. Photo by Mikron LLC / miniguns.ru
The main problem in the field of small-sized cartridges for miniatures is the selection of the composition of the propellant charge. Traditional varieties of gunpowder, for all their advantages, have rather large grains that do not fully meet the requirements. Because of this, special capsule mixtures have to be used in miniatures. They create a sufficient amount of gases that can push the bullet out of the cartridge case, carry it down the barrel and send it out. At the same time, the gas pressure is insufficient for the operation of automation based on a gas engine, and low recoil cannot move the free shutter. As a result, automatic models of the smallest sizes still remain a dream for craftsmen and collectors.
However, it should be noted that smaller copies of automatic weapons still exist, but in this case we are not talking about the most complex scale. Such assault rifles or machine guns are usually only two or three times smaller than the original, which makes it possible to preserve the design of the automation and use a cartridge capable of powering a gas engine. With a further reduction in the size of the model, all the previously described problems become fully apparent.
A separate topic in the context of weapon miniatures is the external design and configuration of such products. Depending on the tasks at hand, the master can completely copy the simple and utilitarian exterior of the prototype sample, aging it in a certain way, or decorate it with carvings, precious metals, etc. Models can be supplied both in wooden boxes, reminiscent of the products of ancient masters, and in boxes imitating standard army boxes. A decorated box will be more suitable for an “antique” revolver with rich carvings, while a worn machine gun or machine gun will look better in a utilitarian container.
One of the collectible "Mausers" of domestic production. Photo by Mikron LLC / miniguns.ru
Creating miniature weapons sometimes requires the joint efforts of several craftsmen. In this case, one specialist can manufacture metal parts, the second is responsible for wooden fittings, and the third carries out decorative design. Making ammunition could be another craftsman's task. Many miniatures, especially those with effective design, were created within the framework of such cooperation.
Interestingly, the number of participants in a new “project” does not always lead to faster work. Creating any miniature is a very difficult task, and therefore even several craftsmen can work on one pistol or rifle for many months in a row. If a specialist decides to do all the work himself, the process may take up to a year.
The scale of the scaled-down weapon can be anything, although there are certain standards. Naturally, attempts have been made repeatedly to obtain the smallest possible dimensions. For example, in the collection of the Tula Armory Museum there is a miniature copy of the British Webley revolver No. 2 Bulldog authored by master Sergei Labaznikov. This product has a rifled barrel with a caliber of 1 mm and weighs less than 3 g. The revolver fits on the tip of a finger, but can still shoot. However, servicing such “weapons” requires special skills and is impossible without the appropriate tools. For example, for shooting, a special manipulator device was created that imitates a human hand.
Miniature Colt Navy arr. 1861 Photo "Arsenal of Miniatures" / miniaturearsenal.ru
Regardless of size, all shooting miniatures are similar in operating principles to small arms, and therefore require some legal support. Understanding this, all leading manufacturers of such systems carry out the necessary certifications and receive the appropriate documents. Despite the principle of operation and a certain similarity with combat systems, miniatures, with rare exceptions, are not weapons, and therefore no restrictions are imposed on their circulation.
However, there are cases when miniatures attracted the attention of internal affairs bodies. Thus, in December 2015, the general director of one of the domestic companies producing collectible items was detained on suspicion of illegal arms trafficking. According to press reports, the examination recognized one of the models of the Kalashnikov assault rifle as a military weapon.
While not legally weapons, miniatures can be sold in any gift shop. However, it is extremely difficult to find such products for free sale. Both in our country and abroad, the number of masters is small, and the production of reduced copies is not very fast. Therefore, such products are most often created to order and immediately sent to the new owner.
Museums are showing great interest in domestic miniatures, especially the Tula Armory, which has many such works of art in its collection. Also, a significant proportion of weapons go to private collections. Some of the miniatures become gifts and souvenirs. In some cases, one model becomes an advertisement and contributes to the launch of the production of others, which has a positive effect on the prospects of the entire direction.
AK with a silent firing device and a specially designed under-barrel grenade launcher. Photo "Arsenal of Miniatures" / miniaturearsenal.ru
A notable Tula model of the Mauser C-96 pistol is known. Back in the early nineties, master Maxim Gorbunov was ordered a copy of the “classic” pistol, intended as a gift for a high-ranking official. Apparently, the latter did not fail to show off the gift to friends and colleagues, and soon the workshop received new orders for smaller Mausers. To date, all major domestic workshops working in the field of miniatures have created their own versions of such weapons.
There were not the best periods in the history of the Russian art of weapon miniatures. For example, after the establishment of Soviet power, all the efforts of Tula gunsmiths were focused on the production of military weapons, and the creation of smaller copies lost its relevance. For several decades, this most interesting direction was forgotten. Later it was restored and gradually brought to the modern level.
However, problems still exist today, even after the industry's revival. One of the main difficulties in this area is the lack of personnel. Young professionals do not show much interest in this art, and in addition, there are simply no structures for training new masters. A project to create a Vocational Training Center is currently being implemented in Tula. After its opening, school and technical college graduates will be able not only to obtain a profession in the weapons industry, but also to master the production of miniature weapons.
Like other areas of art, the creation of weapon miniatures is of great interest. Such works, available in museum exhibitions, consistently attract attention and arouse the admiration of visitors. In addition, miniatures, like collectible examples of full-size weapons, make good gifts. There is no doubt that domestic workshops will continue to operate. The expected opening of a new center for training young specialists gives hope that this industry will soon develop.
Based on materials from sites:
http://rg.ru/
https://life.ru/
http://tass.ru/
http://miniaturearsenal.ru/
http://miniguns.ru/
https://popmech.ru/
http://diy.ru/
http://forum.guns.ru/
Every boy at least once imagined that his toy army came to life and began to independently conduct military operations. The only obstacle to fantasy may be... physics. Indeed, how to arm such an army? How to ensure the functionality of a tiny weapon? Tula gunsmiths answered these questions for us
The miniaturist's workplace is littered with tools, drawings, and rulers. The center of the composition is, of course, the products: a tiny Mosin rifle crossed with a model of the German Mauser G98. Works by Stanislav Arkhipov
Tim Skorenko
Miniature weapons have been made in Tula since the very first days of the weapons industry. True, it was never a “product for sale.” Gunsmiths made tiny guns and pistols solely as proof of their skill. Moreover, in some workshops such work served as a completely official exam, after which the apprentice could move to a higher level and start his own workshop.
“Tula has never made props,” says master Sergei Vitalievich Gorbunov. — Any Tula products, not only weapons, but even souvenirs, have always been functional. If a small copy of a gun or pistol is made, it must fire. If this is a miniature knife, then the steel must be serious, like in a real sword, so that it can cut anything..."
By the way, the design of miniature “guns” may differ significantly from the design of their real prototypes. This is what we will talk about.
The classic German Mauser C-96 was developed in 1896 and became widely used. Officially, it was never in service with large units - only individual units, but it was very popular as a civilian and officer weapon, since it was quite compact with high power and accuracy of effective fire. Work by Sergei Gorbunov and Andrey Maksimov.
Design Features
In the Tula Armory Museum you can see amazing works. For example, copies of AKM assault rifles the length of two phalanges of a finger or a copy of a grenade launcher that fits in the palm of your hand. Or even antique pistols with fingernail-sized flintlocks. The gun looks exactly like the real thing and fires real bullets. But it is not always possible to ensure an exact match between the reduced and full-size mechanisms.
In particular, so far no master has been able to make a miniature machine gun that fires bursts. This is simply impossible: the energy of a tiny portion of gases is not enough to provide a reserve for the next shot, to tighten the frame. Moreover, most mini pistols, no matter what they look like, are single-shot. The famous Tula master Valery Sosnin, however, made models equipped with automatic cartridge feeding, but these were isolated cases that required a monstrous amount of time and incredible perseverance.
As you can see, the mechanism of the model is completely different from the mechanism of a real pistol. From the point of view of the complexity of manufacturing, these are high-quality metalwork works; no jewelry craftsmanship is required. Nevertheless, a fairly simple device allows you to get a serious effect at the output: a bullet can pierce even a thick advertising catalogue.
We spent several hours in the workshop of Sergei Gorbunov and Andrei Maksimov, during which they told us in some detail about all the features of the production of small copies and even provided several drawings. Craftsmen do not use tracing paper. In fact, each model is developed separately, for the client, and the “drawings” are ordinary drawings, sometimes not even to a ruler, with specified dimensions. The most popular model among customers is the Mauser, developed by Maxim Gorbunov, Sergei’s brother. The Mauser was generally designed in a rather comical way. Back in the early 1990s, it was necessary to give a gift to a major police chief, and a classic pistol seemed to be the best option. In a short time, the gun was drawn and made, and then it turned out that almost every boss wanted to have the same one.
“Miniatures,” says Sergei, “are a good mechanic. No high art is required here, except for subsequent decoration." Pistols are most often decorated by different craftsmen than those who make the original blank. We were shown a copy of a 17th-century gun, to which six different craftsmen put their hands: one made metal parts, another made wooden parts, a third made inlays, and a fourth made bullets. Actually, all the masters with whom we spoke are so-called generalists. They make jewelry from stone, metals and wood, firearms and bladed weapons, and inlay other people's work. Making cartridges or knives is a personal choice.
AK-74 assault rifle in disassembled condition. Unfortunately, the model cannot fire in bursts: the craftsmen have not yet been able to achieve this.
As already mentioned in passing, miniature pistols come in two types. The first are working copies of weapons that replicate the mechanism exactly. As a rule, these are revolvers and rifles, since their mechanisms are not too complex, especially for a high-class professional. And there are “models of external image”. For example, the same Mauser. The model exactly replicates the pistol in appearance, but the mechanism is arbitrary. I had a chance to hold a disassembled pistol - two springs and heels of parts, that’s the whole device.
Size matters
In principle, there is no limit to reducing the model. But time put everything in its place, and the models became not only proof of the artist’s skill, but also a source of income. And subminiature weapons the length of a fingernail are not in demand. Most often, tiny guns decorate cabinets, stand on desks or behind glass on shelves. Owners enjoy showing off their “toys,” which is why “mid-sized” weapons that can be picked up are popular.
The dimensions of the cartridges made by Maxim Gorbunov in comparison with a 10-kopeck coin are amazing
The smallest pistol was made several years ago by master Sergei Labaznikov. It weighs about 2.5 g and fits on the thumbnail. This is a completely combat-ready Bulldog revolver. The caliber is 1 mm, and the pistol has a rifled barrel (with such and such dimensions - can you imagine?). Since you can’t press its tiny trigger with your finger, Labaznikov designed a special device for shooting - in the form of a wooden cam with an outstretched finger. This finger is what you need to press the trigger. The pistol was immediately purchased for the collection by the Tula Armory Museum.
Another issue related to size is gunpowder. The fact is that gunpowder is too coarse-grained a substance and it simply will not work in a cartridge of this caliber. For ammunition, specialized primer mixtures are used, which manage to push the cartridge out of the barrel. If the barrel is too long or the charge is too large, the weapon can rupture. But such things happen only at the testing stage; the client receives a fully tested and sighted weapon.
Also, the smaller the copy, the longer it takes. For example, master Konstantin Sushkin made a miniature revolver for about a year.
Lethal force
“The most unpleasant question,” Sergei and Maxim Gorbunov say in one voice, “is it possible to kill with such a pistol. At every exhibition, someone will ask. And the answer is simple: you can kill with a pencil, if you know how.” This is the honest truth. All miniature weapons of Tula craftsmen are certified, passed through the Ministry of Internal Affairs, for all pistols and shotguns there are conclusions that they are not firearms and are allowed for sale in any souvenir store. Although, of course, such exclusive items are not sold in any stores.
Basically, the destructive power of such guns depends on the cartridge. The history of cartridges for miniature copies is no less interesting than that of the weapon itself.
After the revolution, the continuity of generations and the transfer of the art of making miniature guns from master to student was interrupted. Back in the 19th century, gunsmiths and jewelers lived in a separate area of Tula, Zarechye, where burghers were not allowed to settle. Gunsmiths were held in high esteem and even in serf times they lived quite prosperously. When the factories were nationalized, the need to demonstrate skill by making miniatures simply disappeared, and this art was practically forgotten for many years, except for occasional, isolated cases.
Expensive pleasure
It is characteristic that miniature pistols are sometimes more expensive than their full-size prototypes. Prices for miniatures start at 30,000 rubles, and simply have no upper limit. And, for example, a model of a Pepperbox Marietta system or a Maxim machine gun costs 70-80 thousand rubles. This high cost is primarily due to the very high time costs. Technically simple work sometimes requires several months of diligent work by one craftsman. And if another master also engraves or inlays the handle, the price can rise to prohibitive heights. Plus, any miniature is a one-piece, exclusive work. In American online stores you can come across beautifully crafted miniature shotguns and pistols for $15-25. Do not rush to be indignant: these are non-functional models. Most often they are not even hollow inside. Real mini-guns are no cheaper abroad than in Russia. The production of working models is carried out not only by private craftsmen, but also by organized firms. In Tula this is, for example, the Mikron company. The French company Miniature Arsenal is widely known among collectors.
The first master who, in the 1990s, after the collapse of the USSR, began making miniature weapons was the already mentioned Konstantin Sushkin, and the first person who understood the commercial value of such production was Maxim Gorbunov. He organized a small cooperative, thanks to which the works of Tula craftsmen gradually spread around the world - as gifts to famous people and just souvenirs.
Over time, the number of masters grew, but there was no unified system, and everyone did as they knew how and wanted. Each master had his own caliber, and sometimes, having bought a tiny gun and shot all the cartridges, you simply could not find new ones. The idea that came to Maxim Gorbunov’s mind was very simple: to come to an agreement with all the micromodelers in Tula and create two or three universal calibers. True, it turned out a little differently, and as a result, today about 14 calibers have been developed, which Gorbunov called PM-01, -02, -03, etc. What does PM mean? “Yes, everyone understands as they wish, I just liked the combination,” answered the master. “A miniature cartridge or a miniature piston, something like that...” The fact is that today all Tula craftsmen use Gorbunov’s cartridges: he no longer makes weapons, but has completely switched to the production of ammunition. However, the initial idea to reduce all calibers to two or three is gradually becoming a reality. PM-11 or 12, for example, are no longer ordered at all. It all came down to PM-03, 04 and 07 - the three most popular mini-calibers.
Previously, the master himself made the cartridge from start to finish. Today he orders the technical part - the sleeve - to a turner, and he himself only does the assembly. The cartridge is filled with a maximum of 1/3 of the mixture. If hammered completely, it can actually become lethal. Even when filled to a third, such a cartridge penetrates up to half of a thick telephone directory. The cartridge is filled very carefully so that when shot in the hand, a maximum of a small hematoma is obtained. The tests are carried out, of course, on oneself - that’s the kind of work. But a charge of such mass cannot be weighed even on class II pharmacy scales with an accuracy of 0.0001 g.
In addition to Gorbunov, cartridges are made in Tula by the company Mikron. Its employees actually came up with a know-how: after charging, a steel ball-plug is driven into the cartridge, which cannot be removed. And, accordingly, such a cartridge is insured against illegal “reloading”.
Game of soldiers
Our guide to Tula was the artist Pavel Aleksandrovich Savin, an employee of the Tula Museum. He doesn’t make miniatures himself, but he does decorate them: inlay, the famous Tula “curly” - a spiral that breaks up into curls. We asked him a question: how will people know about these works? Where do clients come from?
The GP-30 underbarrel grenade launcher made by Maxim Gorbunov is slightly different from the original, and after being fired, for safety reasons, grenades do not explode, but spark and smoke
It turns out that most Tula craftsmen, like 200 years ago, work, in general, exclusively for themselves. They do not like publicity, and they sell works only through intermediaries, and with much greater interest - to the Tula Museum than to private individuals (even if they lose from a financial point of view). The masters do not advertise: their popularity is promoted by publications in the press and on the Internet, as well as by the numerous exhibitions in which they take part. And of course, the highest level of skill. In the mid-1990s, the Germans offered local jewelers three-year teaching contracts. The fact is that European masters mainly follow the path of technological improvement. Technologies of neutron sputtering, laser punching... Many elements of working with hands are simply lost - and you have to learn again.
One thing is good: ancient art is not forgotten and Tula can still be proud of its masters. All that remains is to approve the law on supporting folk crafts, which has been “hanging” for several years and is waiting for its turn.
If you want to see miniature wonders of weaponry with your own eyes, go to Tula. It's worth it.
The section presents shooting miniature weapons of the first and second world wars on a scale of 1:3 and 1:4. The weapon can be disassembled and needs to be cleaned (cleaning rods and gun oil are included in the kit). All models fire powder cartridges. There are models that fire bursts, you can buy them in our store, the price of these starts from 300 thousand rubles. We have working copies of TT, PM, Yarygin, Kalashnikov, Mosin and Berdan rifles. A set of 5 pieces costs 1 million rubles. You can buy miniature operational weapons in Moscow; no licenses are needed. There are single-shot and multi-shot copies of weapons.
The collectible model of the MP-40 assault rifle fires single shots, master V. Kornaukhov. The work was sold and is in a private collection.
We also have a mini weapon that fires multi-shot shots, in the video there is a seven-shot TT pistol. Price 400 thousand rubles.
History of shooting miniatures
The tradition of making miniature working models of firearms in Tula comes from the “School of Weapons Craftsmanship” at the Tula Arms Factory, as an indicator of skill and a curious toy, the manufacture of which requires knowledge and skill. Maintaining tradition, modern craftsmen produce a wide range of miniatures of the most popular firearms. Currently, miniature models are becoming more accessible for purchase and collecting, making an excellent gift for lovers of historical weapons.Where to buy replica miniature weapons
You can buy smaller shooting copies of weapons: a machine gun, a pistol, or a gift set in a solid package in the Bokado store. Delivery is free and discount for regular customers. Shooting mini copies of weapons, the collection currently contains machine guns, sniper rifles, pistols and even a Maxim heavy machine gun. Prices for miniature models of weapons from the Arsenal of Miniatures company start from 20 thousand euros, our store is ready to offer at prices much lower. For example, let’s take a working miniature weapon with a five-charge TT that costs 480 thousand rubles. We also make thematic collections in a single arrangement under glass (for example: miniature operational weapons of the Second World War or weapons of the 1st World War).
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