WW1 Prideaux Loader for the .455 Webley Revolvers

This video, featuring firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson, delves into the story of Britain's revolver shortage during World War I. It explains how Britain sought off-the-shelf alternatives from the USA and Spain to supplement their existing Webley revolvers. The Royal Armouries, presenters of the video, are the United Kingdom's national collection of arms and armour and invite viewers to learn more about their work, collections, and support opportunities.

The Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver is a unique semi-automatic design chambered in .455 Webley, holding 6 rounds. Its operation relies on recoil to cycle the action, recocking the hammer and rotating the cylinder via a zig-zag pin. While innovative, the design is sensitive to dirt and gravity, potentially causing short-stroking and reliability issues when fired at steep angles.

This video explores the iconic Webley revolvers, focusing on the .455 Mk VI and the .38/200 Mk IV. It highlights their military service history, operational mechanisms like the top-break action and automatic ejection, and discusses the transition from revolvers to semi-automatic pistols. The content also covers ammunition differences, common modifications like cylinder shaving for .45 ACP, and performance testing.

This video showcases the Smith & Wesson Hand Ejector 2nd Model, famously associated with Indiana Jones. It demonstrates loading the six-shot cylinder with .455 Webley MKII ammunition and features live-fire testing in both single and double-action modes. The analysis highlights the revolver's historical significance and the speaker's high level of expertise in handling and discussing firearms.

This video is a tribute to the esteemed firearm historian Phil Schreier, highlighting his lifelong passion for history and his significant contributions to firearm education through television and museum work. Schreier's career, marked by his role at the National Firearms Museum and his engaging presentations on shows like 'Tales of the Gun' and 'NRA Gun Gurus,' emphasized making firearm history accessible and engaging for the public. His reflections underscore a fulfilling journey dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich heritage of firearms.

This video features firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson examining various iterations of the Webley 'Kaufmann' Improved Government Revolver from the Royal Armouries' collection. Inspired by C&Rsenal, Ferguson delves into the history and design of these revolvers, highlighting the earliest model. The description encourages viewers to check out C&Rsenal for a more in-depth look at the mechanics and provides links for supporting the Royal Armouries and subscribing to their channel for more arms and armour content.

This video details the unique 'French Finger Trap' issue with the MAS-36 rifle's bayonet, where two rifles can become unintentionally locked together. A 1951 French arsenal memorandum identified this problem, proposing a simple modification to the bayonet handle. Drilling a small hole allows a tool, like a firing pin, to depress the internal spring, enabling the separation of locked rifles.

The M134 Minigun is a scaled-down 7.62 NATO rotary cannon, requiring 24V DC power and consuming 1.5 kW. Its high rate of fire (3,000+ RPM) is essential for aircraft engagement windows. The complex delinker mechanism is critical for feeding ammunition, and practical hand-held use is impossible due to weight and recoil. Live fire demonstrates rapid ammunition consumption and the need for indirect aiming.

The H&K G11 is a revolutionary prototype assault rifle designed in the late 20th century, notable for its caseless ammunition and unique rotating drum bolt mechanism. Despite advanced features like a 2000 RPM burst fire rate and integrated optics, its development was ultimately halted by geopolitical shifts and cost concerns.

This video demonstrates the assembly and live-fire of the German 1936 pattern light mortar (L.Gr.W.36). It highlights the mortar's leveling mechanism for accuracy and the difficulty in visually tracking its 50mm projectiles after firing. The content showcases historical military hardware and its operational use.