Xu Yan Photos

1/6 Scale British Wheel Lock Pistol

Xu Yan’s miniature wheel lock pistol consists of 56 separate parts.

1/6 Scale British Wheel Lock Pistol

1/6 Scale British Wheel Lock Pistol

The wheel lock pistol was finished in 2002, and won a prize at the 2004 China International Folk Art Treaures Festival. The pistol was also awarded at the Zhong Hua Folk Art Treasures Exposition.

1/6 Scale British Wheel Lock Pistol

1/6 Scale British Wheel Lock Pistol

1/6 Scale British Wheel Lock Pistol

1/7 Scale Italian Guard Matchlock Rifle

Mr. Xu’s model has all the functions of the original, but it’s only 72 mm long.

1/7 Scale Italian Guard Matchlock Rifle

1/7 Scale Italian Guard Matchlock Rifle

1/7 Scale Italian Guard Matchlock Rifle

1/7 Scale Italian Guard Matchlock Rifle

Additional photos of the matchlock rifle were submitted in 2010.

1/7 Scale Italian Guard Matchlock Rifle

Matchlock Rifle Artwork

The following images show artwork describing how the real Italian matchlock was fired.

Matchlock Rifle Artwork

1/6 Scale Type 38 Carbine

1/6 Scale Type 38 Carbine

1/6 Scale Type 38 Carbine

1/6 Scale Type 38 Carbine

1/6 Scale M1 Carbine

The miniature M1 carbine received an award at the first Zhong Hua Folk Art Treasures Exposition in 2001.

1/6 Scale M1 Carbine Cartridge

The tiny cartridge for Xu Yan’s scale M1 carbine.

1/6 Scale M1 Carbine

1/6 Scale M1 Carbine

1/6 Scale M1 Carbine Cartridge

1/6 Scale M2 Carbine

There are subtle differences between the M1 and M2 carbines, which Xu Yan captured in his miniatures.

1/6 Scale M2 Carbine

The M2 is characterized by a dual trigger mechanism.

1/6 Scale M2 Carbine Cartridge

A close-up of the tiny M2 cartridge.

1/6 Scale M2 Carbine Cartridge

The disassembled M2 cartridge.

1/6 Scale M2 Carbine

1/6 Scale M2 Carbine

1/14 Scale Japanese Matchlock Pistol

The scale matchlock pistol is 72 mm long, and 1.6 mm in diameter.

1/14 Scale Japanese Matchlock Pistol

This miniature firearm took 3rd place in the 2006 China Bronze Folk Art Exhibition.

1/14 Scale Japanese Matchlock Pistol

Remarkably, this miniature weapon can in fact fire. The matchlock pistol fires a spring powered projectile that can hit a 10 mm x 10 mm target from a two meter range.

1/11 Scale M-100 German Panzerfaust

The black bulb on one end is the rocket. The firing tube is called the “ram.”

1/11 Scale M-100 German Panzerfaust

1/11 Scale M-100 German Panzerfaust

1/11 Scale M-100 German Panzerfaust

1/11 Scale M-100 German Panzerfaust

The artist’s signature is engraved on this fine miniature piece.

1/11 Scale M-100 German Panzerfaust

1/12.5 Scale Japanese Type 89 Grenade Launcher

This scale weapon is about 49 mm long, and actually launches a model grenade tube over 3.3 meters.

1/12.5 Scale Japanese Type 89 Grenade Launcher

1/12.5 Scale Japanese Type 89 Grenade Launcher

1/12.5 Scale Japanese Type 89 Grenade Launcher

1/9 Scale English ML Mortar

The tiny mortar uses spring power to provide the shell with a specific kinetic energy of <0.16J/cm2 for a range of 3.4 meters.

1/9 Scale English ML Mortar

The mortar was made from brass, and the shell was made from ebony.

1/9 Scale English ML Mortar

The scale mortar measures about 55 mm in length.

1/9 Scale English ML Mortar Shell

Miniature Copper Spring Pocket Gun

Several things made this project quite difficult. The transmitter seat required five small-diameter holes, with the smallest being 0.3 mm, at a depth of 4 mm. Also, the slide handle screw had to be handmade. The sear and drive rod shape for this gun were also very complex, which required a high degree of precision.

Miniature Copper Spring Pocket Gun

A small builder’s mark is engraved on the bottom. The surface was polished and heat treated, thus ensuring a comfortable grip and long service life.

Copper Gun Diagram

This is a drawing of a prototype system for a 1/10 scale brass gun with pocket springs. The prototype is 34.5 mm long, with a projectile muzzle kinetic energy of <0.16J / C m.

Original British Welrod Pistol

The original Welrod pistol in a museum display. During WWII, the British developed a silenced weapon for their special forces (SOE) which was also used by the American OSS. It was known as the “Assassin’s Gun.” The gunfire was very quiet at only 73 db, at least for the first few shots. The magazine acted as a handle when installed, and the silencer could be removed for easier concealment.

Original Welrod Pistol Cutaway

A cutaway of the silencing feature on the original Welrod barrel. Note the three rubber “washers” between some of the chambers. As the rubber dampening washers wore out, the effectiveness of the silencer was increasingly diminished. This required replacement of the washers after about ten shots.

1/10 Scale British Welrod Pistol

In this photo, the silencer doubling as a projectile is loaded into the pistol. It is fired by gripping the stock between two fingers and then pressing the trigger with a thumbnail. This releases the spring to discharge the projectile.

1/10 Scale British Welrod Pistol

Mr. Xu was working on modifications to the trigger and sights to make future versions both easier to fire and more accurate. Xu Yan did all of the work by hand. This photo shows how the pistol would be fired.

1/10 Scale British Welrod Pistol

Most miniature guns are made in scales from 2/5 to 1/3. Xu Yan often works in a much smaller 1/6 or 1/7 scale, but has made non-firing models as small as 1/14 scale. This challenging model is functional despite being built at a very tiny 1/10 scale.

1/10 Scale British Welrod Pistol

1/10 Scale British Welrod Pistol

As usual, Xu Yan’s signature is engraved on the end of the knurled bolt cap.

Custom Milling Machine

In order to make some of his small parts, Xu Yan built a milling machine of his own design from various components. He noted that this machine is 350 mm tall with a 65 watt motor and a max spindle rpm of 35,000.

Xu Yan’s Toolbox

Xu Yan doesn’t use a bunch of high tech tools. Apart from his machines, he also uses a selection of pliers and other hand tools to make small parts for his guns.

Custom Milling Machine

Mr. Xu eventually upgraded his shop capabilities by creating this more powerful and versatile milling machine. He noted that he assembled the milling head using a 180 watt motor that will turn to 10,000 rpm.

Custom Milling Machine

The newer milling machine includes a speed control switch and a pulley system that runs the spindle at up to 5,000 rpm. The head can be used in the vertical or horizontal position (shown in horizontal here).

Magnification Tools

This photo shows Xu Yan’s setup for viewing microscopic drilling work. He also uses a small X-Y table under the drill head for positioning parts accurately.

Magnification Tools

Shown here are some of the magnification tools that Mr. Xu uses for his very small detailed parts.

Grinding Burrs

High speed grinding burrs are also used. A large selection of tip shapes are at Mr. Xu’s disposal.

Xu Yan