Royal Armouries

Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms and Artillery at the Royal Armouries, demonstrates the correct reload technique for the L85A3 rifle. He highlights that the in-game reload animation in Battlefield 6 is physically impossible due to the protective shroud around the magazine catch, which was added to prevent accidental magazine drops. The proper method involves using the thumb through a receiver cutaway to depress the catch.

This video offers a glimpse into a live medieval jousting event at The Royal Armouries in Leeds. It highlights the theatrical proclamation by a knight, the immersive atmosphere created by period-accurate attire, and the impressive display of horsemanship and armor during the jousting parade. The event showcases authentic historical reproduction armor and professional horsemanship, curated by a museum.

This video from the Royal Armouries highlights a significant new acquisition: the armor worn by the last King's Champion at a British coronation. The armor, used during George IV's coronation in 1821 by Henry Dymoke, is unique due to its specific provenance and ceremonial role. Its acquisition by the Royal Armouries marks a rare addition to their collection.

This entry details Winston Churchill's personal Patchett Machine Carbine, an early iteration of the Sterling submachine gun. Expert Jonathan Ferguson from the Royal Armouries provides insights into its design, historical provenance, and technical distinctions from later Sterling models. The entry also touches upon Churchill's broader influence on post-war British small arms policy and his cultivated public image.

This entry details the Kubura Pećanka, a flintlock pistol from the Peć region, influenced by the Ottoman Empire and used from the mid-18th century into WWI. Expert Jonathan Ferguson highlights its construction, including imported locks and barrels assembled with local stocks and brass furniture, noting its distinct Balkan decorative style and functional features like vertically grooved frizzens. Despite perceived 'crude' fit by Western standards, its longevity was due to cultural significance, affordability, and ease of maintenance.

This video provides an in-depth look at the manufacturing process of the L1A1 SLR rifle at the Royal Small Arms Factory (RSAF) Enfield, presented by firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson of the Royal Armouries. It details the complex machining, heat treatment, and assembly stages, from raw steel forgings to the finished product, highlighting the precision engineering involved in creating this iconic rifle.

This video debunks the common Hollywood 'silencer' sound effect, revealing it's not from actual suppressed firearms but a 'cropped ricochet' sound from a 1939 Fox sound library. Academy Award-winning sound designer Ben Burtt identified the sound, which was used for decades in films, demonstrating how editors manipulated the ricochet to create the iconic 'pew-pew' audio.

This entry details a WWI-era Erfurt P08 Luger pistol and personal items belonging to Major Charles Frederick Ashdown, curated by Lisa Traynor of the Royal Armouries. It covers the Luger's technical specifications, historical context as a trophy of war, and associated personal effects like a silver cigarette case engraved with battle locations. The expert analysis highlights the pistol's unique markings and modifications.

This expert-level entry details the British L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle (SLR), specifically serial number one, as explained by firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson of the Royal Armouries. It covers the rifle's historical context, unique British modifications like 'sand cuts' and an enlarged magazine catch, its service life from 1957 to 1991, and specific markings for identification. The L1A1 SLR represents a significant evolution in British small arms development.

Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms and Artillery at the Royal Armouries, clarifies Nancy Wheeler's AR-15 reload in Stranger Things. He explains she used the carry handle for leverage while pressing the bolt release with her thumb, a technique consistent with her character's off-screen training but not professional military experience. The confusion stemmed from incorrect sound effects used in the show.

This video provides an in-depth look at the Electronic Individual Weapon 97 (EIW97), an experimental electronic variant of the SA80, presented by firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson. It details the system's programming, software, and operational capabilities, including its unique tailoring for individual soldiers and integration potential with future soldier systems. The EIW97 explored advanced concepts like electronic ignition and programmable fire control, influencing modern small arms development.

This video provides an in-depth look at the EIW97, an experimental electronic variant of the SA80 rifle, presented by Jonathan Ferguson of the Royal Armouries. The EIW97 explored electronic ignition and programmable fire control to enhance lethality and hit probability, featuring specialized ammunition and a significantly reduced cyclic rate for improved accuracy. Expert Murray discusses its origins as a mid-1990s research program investigating future weapon systems.