The Firework Book: 15th-century manuscript

This video showcases a Stechzeug, a specialized suit of armour designed for jousting, specifically the "Joust of Peace" from the late 15th century. It highlights how jousting evolved into a dangerous sport necessitating protective gear. The armour is typically displayed at the Royal Armouries in Leeds. The video was produced by History™ for the "Dressed to Kill" exhibition, a collaboration between Historic Royal Palaces and the Royal Armouries, coinciding with the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII's ascension.

This video details the construction and function of 15th-century full plate armor, a pinnacle of the armorer's craft. It breaks down the protection offered by individual components like sabatons, greaves, cuisses, poleyns, the cuirass, and pauldrons. The explanation highlights the intricate articulation and design features, such as fluting and sliding rivets, that allowed for mobility, while also noting the eventual obsolescence of plate armor due to the rise of firearms.

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.