Royal Armouries Tournament Gallery

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 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 features Curator Emeritus Nick Hall from the Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson, showcasing a 16th-century Flemish gun. The firearm is notable for its intricate, mythical detailing, including a mermaid and a wyvern. The Royal Armouries, the UK's national collection of arms and armour, invites viewers to learn more about their collection online, support their work through donations, and consider museum membership. The video highlights the museum's commitment to bringing history to life through various exhibits and expert insights.

This video from the Royal Armouries celebrates reaching 400,000 subscribers. Hosted by Jonathan and Josh, it's a thank you to their "What is this Weapon" viewers and a Halloween greeting. The description mentions "Dog Soldiers" as viewing material and encourages subscriptions for more content on arms and armor, including behind-the-scenes looks, combat demonstrations, jousting, and expert insights. It also includes calls to action for supporting the museum through donations and museum memberships. The content appears to be educational and celebratory, focusing on historical arms and armor with a festive Halloween theme.

This video delves into the fascinating Doppelstutzen, a rare, double-barreled, double-locked flintlock rifle with a unique history. Expert Jonathan Ferguson from the Royal Armouries explores its design, configuration, sighting systems, caliber, accuracy, and the elite Habsburg border troops who likely used it. The discussion also touches upon supporting gear, ammunition, and the weapon's handling, balance, and lasting legacy.

This video from the Royal Armouries features an in-depth look at a 17th-century gun halberd, a fascinating combination weapon. Iason Tzouriadis, an expert in edged weapons, and Jonathan Ferguson, the Keeper of Firearms and Artillery, explore this unique piece from their collection. The discussion highlights the historical context and design of such hybrid arms, offering a glimpse into the evolution of weaponry. The video encourages viewers to explore their online collection, purchase related merchandise, and support the museum's mission.

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.