An Arquebus from Henry VIII's army, with firearms and weapon expert Jonathan Ferguson

This video provides an expert overview of the medieval hand cannon, tracing its origins from Chinese gunpowder to its development in Europe. It details the basic design, early projectiles, and the evolutionary path leading to later firearms like the arquebus. The information is presented by knowledgeable individuals from NRA Publications, highlighting the historical significance of this early firearm.

This video features Mixæl Laufer from the Four Thieves Vinegar Collective discussing the Opium Wars, the historical context of Hong Kong becoming British, and the enduring ramifications. The presentation also includes live demonstrations and discussions of matchlock and flintlock firearms. The content aims to connect historical events with the evolution of firearm technology and its societal impact.

This lecture by Joe Tryner, PhD Student at The University of Sheffield, explores the evolution of portable firearms during the Italian Wars (1494-1560) and their societal impact. It details the development of matchlock, wheel-lock, flintlock arquebuses, and pistols in production centers like Italy and southern Germany, highlighting their effect on battlefield tactics and their rapid spread into civilian life. The talk uses the example of goldsmith Benvenuto Cellini to illustrate early gun cultures, examines the appeal of firearms in 16th-century Italy across various social strata, and offers a new perspective on this period by exposing the realities of early modern warfare and the Italian Renaissance.

This video provides an in-depth look at the wheellock firearm system, tracing its history and demonstrating its operation. It highlights the wheellock's advantages over matchlocks, particularly for cavalry, due to its ability to be carried loaded and its independent ignition. The explanation covers the complex mechanical operation, loading procedures, and the concept of 'lock time' in relation to accuracy.

This video showcases a rare Japanese 3-barrel swivel-breech matchlock pistol from the Edo period, highlighting its unique mechanism and historical context. The pistol features three smoothbore .40 caliber barrels that rotate manually, each with its own ignition system, intended for close-range defense. Authentic examples are exceptionally scarce, making this a significant historical artifact.

This video showcases a rare Japanese 3-barrel swivel-breech matchlock pistol, highlighting its unique rotating mechanism and firing sequence. The pistol features three barrels mounted on a central arbor, each with its own sight and priming pan, secured by a friction lock and detents. The demonstration emphasizes the historical significance and mechanical ingenuity of this antique firearm, noting the scarcity of authentic surviving examples.

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.