Pistols Fit For a King: Early Percussion Revolvers with Curatorial Assistant Christian Wellard

This guide details the installation of Slick Shot stainless steel nipples on a Pietta 1860 black powder revolver. The upgrade aims to improve reliability by preventing cap fragments from jamming the cylinder and potentially enhancing ignition consistency due to a larger internal passage. The process involves unscrewing old nipples and installing the new ones, with a specific note on using Remington #10 caps.

This guide details the improved loading ram mechanism of the Colt 1860 New Model Army, contrasting it with the simpler system of the 1851 Navy. Expert analysis highlights the 'creeping lever's' rack-and-pinion design, which ensures consistent bullet seating and improved ballistics by providing even leverage. The explanation emphasizes the mechanical advantages over older designs, drawing on historical patents and detailed visual examination.

This video provides an expert-level breakdown of the mechanical differences between the Colt 1860 New Model Army and the 1851 Old Model Navy, focusing on how Colt achieved a larger .44 caliber bore on the 1860 model. The explanation details the use of a rebated cylinder, frame notching, barrel positioning, and forcing cone enlargement to accommodate the larger caliber while maintaining frame compatibility. The presenter, Othais, demonstrates a high level of authority in historical firearm mechanics.

This guide details the basic loading and maintenance procedures for the Colt 1860 Army, a significant historical firearm. It covers essential steps for safe operation and upkeep, drawing on expert insights. The video emphasizes the historical context and design evolution of this iconic revolver, highlighting its role in bridging the percussion and cartridge eras.

This guide details the complex process of converting a percussion Adams revolver to a cartridge-firing firearm, a common practice in the late 19th century. The conversion involves replacing key components like the cylinder and hammer, and significantly modifying the frame to accept cartridges and an ejector rod. The Royal Armouries' Jonathan Ferguson explains these intricate steps, highlighting the craftsmanship involved in transforming these historical pieces.

This video focuses on identifying the best screwdriver specifically for use with black powder revolvers. While the description is forthcoming, the title clearly indicates a practical application for firearm enthusiasts involved in the maintenance or handling of muzzleloading firearms. It suggests a need for specialized tools for this niche area 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.