Medieval Jousting Short Film: 'Those Who Hold the Reins'

Firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson debunks the popular myth that the idiom 'the whole nine yards' originates from the length of machine gun belts, particularly those used in aircraft. He presents evidence suggesting the phrase predates aviation machine guns and likely stems from a humorous anecdote in an 1855 Indiana newspaper about a shirt made with 'the whole nine yards' of material. While acknowledging the intuitive appeal of the firearms connection, Ferguson's research indicates no historical basis for it.

Dragonman announces the opening of his museum on April 25-26, starting at 10 AM, featuring a hot rod collection and machine gun rentals. He highlights his 'attack jeep' equipped with twin 50 caliber machine guns, emphasizing his Class 7 FFL license and legal right to transport these weapons. The museum will showcase a diverse collection of custom hot rods, including various T-buckets, coupes, and sedans, many with custom Chevy and Mopar powertrains.

This video details the 30-year development of the M1 Garand, the standard US service rifle during World War II. It explores the reasons for the delay in adopting a semi-automatic rifle, the selection process, and its performance in combat. The narrative highlights the challenges of chambering a semi-automatic in the powerful .30-06 cartridge and the eventual adoption of the M1 Garand despite initial skepticism.

This discussion centers on the capabilities and safety considerations of bullet traps, particularly when firing high-powered calibers like .50 BMG and full-auto firearms such as the Glock 18. The conversation highlights the robust construction of bullet traps, often made from AR 550 steel and incorporating water cooling systems to manage heat and slow projectiles. It also touches on the inherent risks and the importance of user attention when operating firearms near such containment systems.

This video explores the historical significance of Ulrich Wille, the father of the modern Swiss Army, and examines a Luger pistol believed to have belonged to him. It details Wille's role in modernizing the Swiss military, introducing new equipment like machine guns and biplanes, and building an army of nearly half a million men by 1914. The video also delves into the technical specifics of the 1900 Luger model, highlighting its early features such as the dish toggle, unrelieved frame, and wider trigger guard, distinguishing it from later variations.

This video discusses the potential mechanical challenges of modifying a Colt Python revolver to accept a seven-round cylinder, drawing parallels to the S&W 686 and Ruger GP100. The speaker hypothesizes that the Python's specific cylinder locking mechanism, which engages the cylinder stop and hand very late in the trigger pull, could be stressed by the increased cylinder diameter and rotation required for an additional round. This might lead to a less smooth trigger pull or increased wear on internal components, potentially explaining why Colt has historically opted for a six-round cylinder in the Python.

Ian McCollum and Jonathan Ferguson of the Royal Armouries present a challenge to find three unique firearms based on appearance, mechanical oddity, and historical impact. They showcase experimental and rare pieces like the Charlton Automatic Rifle, Sterling 7.62mm prototype, Schwarzlose Model 1898, Gabbett-Fairfax Mars pistol, an SA80 prototype, and a BSA Machine Carbine, highlighting their unusual mechanisms and limited adoption.

This entry details the Knight's Armament KS-1 (L403A1), the British Army's new Alternative Individual Weapon, adopted under Project Hunter. Expert Jonathan Ferguson from the Royal Armouries provides an in-depth look at its features, intended use for specialized units, and its role in supplementing existing platforms like the SA80.

This guide details the process of arming an 11th-century Norman knight, as explained by an institutional expert from the Royal Armouries. It covers the sequence of donning essential protective gear, including padded undergarments, a mail hauberk, a nasal helmet, and a kite shield, emphasizing weight distribution and historical construction techniques.

This guide details the installation and operation of the Harston's Patent Mark IV magazine, a rare modification designed to convert the single-shot Martini-Henry rifle into a repeater. Expert Jonathan Ferguson explains the mechanism, its inventor Captain Charles Gravelle Harston, and the historical context of its development. The guide covers fitting the magazine, the cycling process for feeding rounds, and the use of the cutoff device for single-shot operation, while also noting potential reliability issues and the high conversion cost.