War Gallery: Sword Fighting

This video from the Royal Armouries showcases their new "Objects in Focus" display, featuring World War 2 weapons to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VE/VJ Day. Presented by Jonathan, the video offers a close-up look at historical arms and armor. The Royal Armouries, the UK's national collection, invites viewers to visit their museum in Leeds and explore their collection further through their website, blog, and social media channels. They also encourage support through donations and membership.

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 from the Royal Armouries showcases a rare and historically significant Swiss Baselard dagger recovered from the Thames. Assistant Curator Scot Hurst details the dagger's unique copper-alloy inscription and the process of pinpointing its origins. The description also promotes the Royal Armouries' online collection, Scot's article on the baselard in the Arms & Armour journal, and encourages viewers to subscribe, support the museum, and engage with their content. The museum itself is presented as the UK's national collection of arms and armour, offering behind-the-scenes insights, combat demonstrations, and expert interaction.

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 video features Iason Tzouriadis, Curator of European Edged Weapons, and Matt Easton from Schola Gladiatoria as they examine and discuss the process of replicating a late 14th-century Alexandrian sword with Windlass Steelcrafts. The video highlights the historical accuracy and craftsmanship involved in recreating the artifact, providing links to the original object in the Royal Armouries collection and the Windlass replica for purchase. It aims to educate viewers about arms and armour, with a call to action for channel subscriptions and museum support.

This video from the Royal Armouries highlights a significant new acquisition: the armor worn by the last King's Champion at a British coronation. The armor, used during George IV's coronation in 1821 by Henry Dymoke, is unique due to its specific provenance and ceremonial role. Its acquisition by the Royal Armouries marks a rare addition to their collection.

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.