Forging a 15th Century Arming Sword | Dangerous Arts

This video features blacksmiths Paul Stoddart (Kingdom Forge) and Daniel Goodwin (Firehound Forge) demonstrating traditional blacksmithing skills at the Royal Armouries. They are shown crafting a unique replica medieval arming sword for the museum as part of the "Dangerous Arts" summer event. The description also links to a blog interview with the blacksmiths.

This video features Curator Iason Tzouriadis and Matt Easton of Schola Gladiatoria discussing and replicating a late 15th-century arming sword, reminiscent of the 'Henry V sword.' The discussion delves into the historical significance of this type of sword, popular among English knights, and the meticulous process of its recreation by Windlass Steelcrafts. Links are provided for viewers to explore the original artifact in the Royal Armouries collection, purchase its replica, and support the museum.

This entry details a 15th-century Swiss Baselard discovered in the River Thames and acquired by the Royal Armouries. Expert analysis, including X-ray, confirmed its Zurich origin, distinguishing it from initial English cataloging. The sword features a unique inscribed copper alloy panel on its blade, adding to its historical intrigue.

This video features Henry Yallop, Keeper of Edged Weapons and Armour at the Royal Armouries, examining a 15th-century two-handed sword potentially linked to the Battle of Castillon, the final battle of the Hundred Years' War. The sword is part of the 'Castillon Hoard' and was recovered from the Dordogne River. The video also highlights a recent recreation of the sword, made in partnership with Matt Easton and Windlass Swords, which is presented alongside the original.

This video from the Royal Armouries features Scot Hurst, Curator of Asian & African Collections, discussing an elaborate Jian sword from the early Chinese Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Jian, a straight, double-edged sword, had largely been replaced by the Dao for military use by this era but remained a prized status weapon for ceremony and rank. The sword's intricate metalwork is compared to other objects from the Ming court, suggesting it may have been a gift to a Tibetan monastery, with a pattern-welded blade possibly of Tibetan origin added later. The video explores the sword's history, craftsmanship, and potential ownership.

This video features Ian McCollum and Jonathan Ferguson in a 60-second challenge at the Royal Armouries to find three unique firearms: a Charlton Automatic Rifle, a Schwarzlose Model 1898 pistol, and an early SA80 prototype. They discuss unusual mechanical operations and limited historical impact, highlighting experimental designs like the Sterling 7.62mm prototype and the Mars .45 Automatic Pistol.

The Knight's Armament KS-1, designated L403A1 by the British Army, is a new AR-15 platform rifle adopted for specialized units like the Army Special Operations Brigade and Royal Marines. It features a 13.7-inch barrel, ambidextrous controls, and is equipped with a Vortex 1-10x LPVO and an Aimpoint ACRO P-2 for versatile engagement ranges. The rifle utilizes a KAC QDC/MCQ-PRT suppressor and is part of 'Project Hunter' to enhance interoperability with allied forces.

This video details the armor and weaponry of an 11th-century Norman knight, emphasizing the evolution of protective gear. It covers the padded undergarments, the mail hauberk constructed from thousands of iron rings, and the nasal helmet for head protection. The kite shield offered significant defense, while primary weapons included the lance and a one-handed sword.

This video explores a unique modernization attempt of the Martini-Henry rifle using Captain Harston's Patent Magazine. Jonathan Ferguson details the Mark IV rifle's features and the external magazine's mechanism, designed to convert the single-shot rifle into a five-round repeater. Despite its ingenuity, the system faced issues with reliability, high conversion costs, and was ultimately overshadowed by superior bolt-action designs like the Lee-Metford.