The quirky Dumonthier blade gun, with weapon and firearms expert, Jonathan Ferguson

This episode of 'From the Vault' showcases unique concealed firearms from Rock Island Auction Company. It highlights a 5mm pinfire revolver disguised as a cigarette case or coin purse, manufactured around 1877-1878, and a muzzleloading firearm resembling a Faberge egg that uses a percussion cap. The discussion also touches upon cane guns and a larger ring gun, emphasizing the historical ingenuity in discreet firearm design.

This video details the Maynard Carbine, a unique firearm from the mid-19th century. It highlights Dr. Edward Maynard's innovative tape priming system and the carbine's evolution from percussion cap ignition to metallic cartridges. The discussion covers its adoption by both Confederate and Union forces during the Civil War and its later adaptation into sporting rifles.

This video explores a rare and bizarre Jones Patent pistol, featuring a unique five-barrel mechanism designed by Richard and Charles John Jones in 1853. Expert Jonathan Ferguson details its flat profile, stacked rifled barrels, and the innovative 'slinky-style' hammer action that sequentially fires each barrel by tumbling down a series of steps. Despite its novel design, the pistol did not gain traction due to its complexity, cost, and competition from established revolvers like the Colt and Adams.

This video provides a historical and technical overview of the U.S. Model 1855 Pistol Carbine. It highlights its innovative Mayard tape primer system, its dual role as a pistol and carbine, and its ultimate shortcomings in military service due to issues with accuracy, handling, and competition from contemporary revolvers and rifles. The firearm's limited effectiveness during the Civil War is also discussed.

This video, titled 'Paper Cartridge Ignition,' focuses on a specific aspect of historical firearm technology: the ignition process using paper cartridges. While the description is currently unavailable, the title strongly suggests a demonstration or explanation of how early firearms were loaded and fired. This content would appeal to historical firearms enthusiasts, reenactors, and those interested in the evolution of firearms technology.

This video, titled 'Paper Cartridge Ignition,' focuses on a historical or technical aspect of firearm functionality related to paper cartridges. While the description is currently unavailable, the title strongly suggests a deep dive into the ignition mechanisms and methods used with these early forms of ammunition. This could involve demonstrating how paper cartridges were loaded, fired, and the historical context of their development and use in firearms. The content likely appeals to historical firearms enthusiasts, gunsmiths interested in historical technology, and those studying the evolution of firearms.

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.