Thorneycroft to SA80 Livestream Finale!

This video announces the book "Thorneycroft to SA80: British Bullpup Firearms 1901-2020" by Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms and Artillery at the British Royal Armouries. It highlights the deep history of British bullpup designs, from early concepts to the SA80, featuring insights from firearms expert Ian McCollum and the author. The discussion emphasizes the recurring British interest in the bullpup configuration and its evolution over more than a century.

This video discusses the .280 British cartridge, also known as 7mm High Velocity, and its evolution. It highlights the upcoming appendix in Jonathan Ferguson's book "Thorneycroft to SA80: British Bullpup Firearms 1901-2020" which will detail the various naming conventions and technical changes of this cartridge, including its modification for compatibility with .30 caliber ammunition. The appendix is a collaborative effort with ammunition specialists Jack Dutschke and Ian Patrick.

This video delves into the history and development of the Hovea 44, a firearm originally intended for Swedish "super troopers" but which found its true success in Denmark. Hosted by firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson, the content explores the gun's journey from a Swedish design to Danish adoption and refinement. The description also promotes event tickets, Jonathan Ferguson's book on British bullpup firearms, and the Royal Armouries museum through various links and calls to action, encouraging subscriptions and support.

This video provides a comprehensive historical overview of the bullpup rifle design, tracing its origins from early concepts to modern iterations like the SA80. It details the British military's long-standing interest in the bullpup configuration, exploring various prototypes and adopted firearms, while also discussing the technical challenges and design philosophies behind these compact weapon systems. The presentation highlights key figures and developmental milestones, offering insights into why the bullpup design has seen periods of significant adoption and subsequent decline in favor of conventional rifle designs.

This video explores a rare, non-functional bullpup mock-up of the Armalite AR-18, created by Sterling Armaments. Expert Jonathan Ferguson details the AR-18's design as a more affordable and manufacturable alternative to the AR-15, highlighting its short-stroke gas system and stamped metal construction. The mock-up's history is discussed, including its potential development for law enforcement and its surprising exhibition in 1976, despite being non-operational.

This video provides an in-depth look at the BSA-28P Automatic Rifle, a post-war British experimental firearm. Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms & Artillery at the Royal Armouries, details its design, operating mechanism, and historical context within Britain's search for a new service rifle. The entry highlights the rifle's unique features, its competition with other designs like the EM-1 and EM-2, and the reasons for its eventual failure in trials, including reliability issues and design complexity.

This guide details the specific technique for separating two MAS-36 rifles that have been inadvertently locked together by their bayonets. It outlines the historical context of this issue, the modification made to the bayonet to resolve it, and the step-by-step procedure for disengagement. The technique requires precise alignment and the use of a pointed tool to access the internal release mechanism, as demonstrated by firearms expert Ian McCollum.

This guide details the loading and firing procedure for the M134 Minigun, as explained by Ian McCollum. It covers manual indexing of the barrel cluster, feeding the ammunition belt, engaging controls, and firing. The guide also touches upon the weapon's spin-down inertia and the function of modern clutch systems. Expert instruction from a recognized firearms historian highlights the technical aspects of operating this powerful weapon system.

This guide details the operational features of the H&K G11 K2, a prototype assault rifle known for its caseless ammunition and unique rotating drum bolt. It covers the selector settings, magazine capacity, integrated optics, and the internal action designed for recoil management during high-rate-of-fire bursts. Expert insights from Ian McCollum highlight the historical context and technical innovations of this advanced firearm.

This guide details the operation of the German L.Gr.W.36 50mm light mortar, as demonstrated by expert Ian McCollum. It covers assembly, leveling procedures, ammunition handling, and live fire execution, emphasizing the difficulty in visually tracking the projectile. The instruction highlights the importance of proper setup for accuracy.