The French "snuff box" breech-loader. 1853/67 Tabatière with firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson

The CSRG 1915 Chauchat, the quickest-to-produce light machine gun of WWI, weighs 20 lbs and is 45 inches long. It operates via an open bolt system and uses a 20-round semi-circular magazine for 8mm Lebel, though 18 rounds are recommended for reliability. Despite a heavy trigger and 'bouncy' recoil, its fast manufacturing made it replaceable during the war, even with its tendency to jam from mud.

This video provides an in-depth look at the French 50mm Mle 1937 mortar, highlighting its compact size and trigger-fired mechanism. Demonstrations include loading and firing, with an estimated range of 136 yards achieved. The content showcases historical military hardware in action.

This video demonstrates the operation of the French Berthier Rifle, specifically focusing on its unique en-bloc clip loading system. It showcases the use of 8x51R Lebel cartridges and the bolt-action mechanism during live fire at an outdoor range. The footage highlights the distinct ejection of spent casings and the clip falling free after the last round.

This video details the French Mle 1892 Lebel Revolver, chambered in 8mm Lebel. It highlights the unique swing-out cylinder that opens to the right and demonstrates loading six rounds. The video also shows barrel markings 'Mle 1892' and 'S 1914', followed by live firing at steel targets and the ejection of spent casings.

This video provides a hands-on look at the French Lebel Revolver Modèle 1892, including a live fire demonstration. It highlights the use of Fiocchi 8mm Lebel ammunition and emphasizes safe firearm handling with appropriate gear. The demonstration showcases the revolver's double-action trigger and ejection process.

This video introduces Luc Pétillot, a modern jouster participating in an event at the Royal Armouries to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Field of Cloth of Gold. The event, which involved King Henry VIII in 1520, brings together contemporary jousters. Pétillot shares his personal connection to jousting. The video is in French with English subtitles available and is part of a series featuring all participating jousters. It also directs viewers to the Royal Armouries website and social media for more content on arms and armor.

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.