Q&A · 1:18:47-1:24:43

Rare firearms chosen for engineering and historical interest

The panel selects unusual rifles and machine guns whose mechanisms, calibres, and production histories make them more interesting than simple collector rarities.

Question

Which rare firearm would each panelist most like to own?

Short answer

Their choices include the H&K G11, an unmodified Pattern 1914 Enfield, a Vickers .600 Nitro Express rifle, the Czech ZGB 33, and heavy ZB-60 or 15 mm Besa weapons.

Notes

The choices include the caseless Heckler & Koch G11, valued for its unusual mechanism, and an original Pattern 1914 Enfield whose surviving military configuration is rarer than total production suggests. A Vickers-built .600 Nitro Express elephant rifle represents the improvised heavy counter-sniper weapons used during the First World War. The Czech ZGB 33 is important as the limited-production predecessor licensed into the Bren gun, while the ZB-60 and 15 mm Besa appeal as scarce heavy automatic weapons used in specialized roles. The exchange shows that rarity can arise from experimental engineering, later civilian conversion, or a short production run rather than age alone.