An Orwellian Sterling Submachine gun with firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson

This archive film details the intricate manufacturing process of the Sterling submachine gun at the Royal Ordnance Factory Fazakerley. It covers the detailed steps involved in producing key components like the barrel, breech block, casing, and magazine, highlighting specialized machinery and quality control measures. The film concludes with rigorous proof testing and final packing procedures, showcasing the comprehensive approach to producing this iconic firearm.

This guide details the disassembly and reassembly of three experimental lightweight Lanchester SMG prototypes, as demonstrated by Ian McCollum. It covers the unique features of each model, including reversed barrels, modified bolt designs, and folding stocks. The process involves removing the end cap, bolt, and mainspring, with specific attention to the distinct modifications of each prototype. This information is presented with high authority from an expert with access to museum collections.

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.