Royal Armouries

Firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson debunks the myth that the Bren gun was "too accurate." Through analysis of historical trial data and comparative performance metrics, Ferguson demonstrates that the Bren's accuracy was comparable to other contemporary firearms like the Lee-Enfield rifle and Lewis gun, and even modern weapons like the FN MAG/M240 Bravo. The myth likely originated from misinterpretations of its role as a light machine gun versus sustained fire weapons and its use in anti-aircraft roles.

This video explores a 16th-century Italian bill from the Royal Armouries collection. The bill is highlighted as a versatile battlefield weapon capable of thrusting, pulling, cutting, hooking, and padding. The discussion touches on its decorative style, its popularity in Europe, and its potential import to England during Henry VIII's reign. The video also notes the replacement of the original haft with a 19th-century one for display purposes and explains the functional role of the metal strips securing the head.

This video provides an in-depth look at the Infanteriegeschütz m.15, a small artillery piece developed by the Austro-Hungarian Empire and manufactured by Škoda. Expert Jonathan Ferguson details its design, historical context, and operational capabilities, highlighting its role as a light, portable gun intended for mountain warfare and trench support during World War I. The discussion covers its 37mm caliber, its similarity to other contemporary light artillery, and its unique features like its short barrel, direct and indirect fire modes, and adaptable carriage.

This video explores the history and design of the Colonel Henry Shakespeare hunting knife, produced by Wilkinson Sword. It details Colonel Shakespeare's adventurous life as a big game hunter in India and his unique approach to hunting, even designing this knife for close-quarters encounters. The knife's innovative design for concealed carry within a specially made jacket is highlighted.

This video provides an in-depth look at the Johnson Type V semi-automatic rifle, a lesser-known variant of Melvin Maynard Johnson's designs. The presenter, Christian, a Curatorial Assistant, details its history, technical operation, and comparisons to other firearms of the era, particularly the M1 Garand. The discussion highlights the Type V's distinctive vertical box magazine and its short recoil operating system, contrasting it with the more familiar Type R and the later Model 1941 Johnson rifle. The video also touches upon the rifle's limited military adoption and its potential influence on later firearm designs.

This video provides a detailed disassembly of the rare BSA Model 1924 .50 caliber machine gun, presented by Joe Ford from the Royal Armouries. The guide covers the removal of the magazine, receiver components, trigger group, bolt assembly, barrel, and barrel extension. It highlights the unique recoil operation mechanism, the pan magazine system, and the 50 Vices ammunition used, explaining why the design was an evolutionary dead end due to its slow rate of fire and small magazine capacity.

This video debunks the myth that fabric like blankets or padded uniforms can stop bullets from firearms like the M1 Carbine, Sten, or Thompson. Firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson explains that while pistol cartridges have less penetration than rifle rounds, they are still capable of penetrating such materials. The myth likely stems from misinterpretations of combat effectiveness, shot placement issues, and the physiological and psychological effects of being shot.

This video details an experimental gas-operated conversion of a Swiss Schmidt-Rubin rifle, performed around 1920. Originally a Model 1900 short rifle built in 1901, it was upgraded to Model 1911 specifications in 1911. The 1920 conversion added a gas port, piston, return spring, and protective metal plates, along with an extended stock and an older, higher-capacity magazine for improved follow-up shots. The conversion aimed to automate the straight-pull action.

This video provides an in-depth look at the T148E1, a three-shot grenade launcher developed by Springfield Armory in the 1950s. Expert Jonathan Ferguson details its design, mechanism, and historical context, highlighting its contemporary development alongside the M79 and explaining why it ultimately did not see widespread adoption. The T148E1 featured a unique 'negator spring' system for automatic advancement of the firing chamber and utilized the 40x46mm high-low pressure round.

This video discusses ideal loadouts in Battlefield 6, focusing on powerful, slower-firing weapons for accurate engagements. The speaker highlights the effectiveness of the 'vanilla' HK G3 battle rifle and the PG7 rocket against army vehicles, noting its surprising damage output compared to guided munitions like the Javelin. The FN Five-seveN Gen 2 pistol is also favored for its low recoil and dispersion, making it effective for engineers, especially when paired with a low-magnification optic.

This video provides a detailed look at the Steyr Pieper Model 1909 pocket pistol, specifically a second series model manufactured in 1924. It highlights the pistol's 6.35mm caliber and its intended uses for self-defense and target shooting. A unique feature discussed is the single-loading mechanism, which allows a round to be chambered directly into the barrel via a tipping action, bypassing the magazine. The video also notes unusual Belgian proof markings on an Austrian-made firearm, suggesting a possible post-manufacture modification or resale by 'Nicolas,' whose name appears on the grips. A comparison is made to a larger caliber 7.65mm version, illustrating standard Steyr markings and grip design.

This video provides an expert-level examination of an Iranian-produced copy of the Rheinmetall MG3 machine gun, tracing its lineage from the iconic MG42. Jonathan Ferguson of the Royal Armouries details the naming conventions, production history in Iran, and specific technical features that distinguish it as an MG3 variant. The analysis highlights key differences from the original MG42 and earlier MG1 variants, including internal components and external features, offering insights into its manufacturing and adoption by the Iranian military.