Durs Egg Ferguson - The Rifle That Didn't Shoot George Washington

The Ferguson rifle, invented by Patrick Ferguson in 1776, was the first military breech-loading rifle. Its innovative 11-thread screw breech allowed for rapid loading, achieving 6-7 shots per minute, significantly outperforming the standard Brown Bess musket. Despite its advantages, the rifle's impact was limited after its inventor was wounded during the American Revolution, leading to the disbandment of its experimental unit.

This video explores the Burton Breechloading Rifle, a key firearm in the 19th-century British weapon trials that led to the adoption of the Martini-Henry rifle. Featuring firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson, the content delves into the history of James Henry Burton, the technical details of the breech mechanism, and compares different prototypes (No:1 and No:0). The discussion also touches upon the trials criteria and the evolution towards improved bolt-action designs, highlighting Burton's legacy and its connection to the Martini-Henry. Additional resources for further reading and related museums are provided.

This video explores the fascinating history of US trowel bayonets, specifically the 1869 and 1873 patterns. Initially developed due to a lack of entrenching tools for infantry, these multi-purpose tools proved surprisingly effective for digging shallow defensive pits. Despite positive field reports, political shifts led to their discontinuation in favor of combined fighting knives.

This video details James Paris Lee's early venture, the Lee Single-Shot Carbine, patented in 1862. Despite initial military interest during the Civil War, a caliber miscommunication led to rejection and financial ruin for his Milwaukee-based company. The carbine featured a unique swing-open breech action and a three-position rear sight.

This video details the unique 'French Finger Trap' issue with the MAS-36 rifle's bayonet, where two rifles can become unintentionally locked together. A 1951 French arsenal memorandum identified this problem, proposing a simple modification to the bayonet handle. Drilling a small hole allows a tool, like a firing pin, to depress the internal spring, enabling the separation of locked rifles.

The M134 Minigun is a scaled-down 7.62 NATO rotary cannon, requiring 24V DC power and consuming 1.5 kW. Its high rate of fire (3,000+ RPM) is essential for aircraft engagement windows. The complex delinker mechanism is critical for feeding ammunition, and practical hand-held use is impossible due to weight and recoil. Live fire demonstrates rapid ammunition consumption and the need for indirect aiming.

The H&K G11 is a revolutionary prototype assault rifle designed in the late 20th century, notable for its caseless ammunition and unique rotating drum bolt mechanism. Despite advanced features like a 2000 RPM burst fire rate and integrated optics, its development was ultimately halted by geopolitical shifts and cost concerns.

This video demonstrates the assembly and live-fire of the German 1936 pattern light mortar (L.Gr.W.36). It highlights the mortar's leveling mechanism for accuracy and the difficulty in visually tracking its 50mm projectiles after firing. The content showcases historical military hardware and its operational use.