The Electronic SA80: The EIW97 (Part One) with firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson

This video provides an expert overview from Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons, detailing Murdoch & Co's initiative to produce new SA80 (L85) rifles in the USA. It covers the L85A3 as the modern UK MOD service rifle and introduces a 'Collector Series' using original parts. The project aims to preserve the rifle's history through 100% new production and the use of vintage components.

Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms & Artillery at the Royal Armouries, discusses the inherent design flaws of the L85A1/SA80 rifle, particularly the undersized ejection port. He explains that while improved quality control from Enfield might have reduced malfunctions, it wouldn't have solved the fundamental design issues. The video highlights the distinction between manufacturing defects and core design problems.

This guide details the conceptual modification of the British SA80 (L85) bullpup rifle into a traditional rifle configuration, humorously dubbed 'The Jonathan Ferguson Special.' It highlights the visual and functional differences, drawing from expert insights on the SA80 platform's ergonomics and historical context. The demonstration showcases the feasibility of such a conversion.

This guide details the manual operation of the L98A1 Cadet Rifle, a variant of the SA80 designed for training. It covers the unique straight-pull bolt action, emphasizing the manual charging handle and the absence of a gas system. The information is presented with the authority of Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons, who has access to historical firearms collections.

This entry details the AKB-23, an AR-15 based bullpup reproduction of the SA80/L85, as presented at SHOT Show 2025. It highlights the use of billet aluminum construction, compatibility with bufferless uppers like the BRN-180, PSA Jackl, and FM-15, and its $800 price point. The guide covers the basic overview and installation considerations for this modular system, emphasizing its unique design and potential for customization.

This guide details the installation of the Aly & Kaufman AKB-23 bullpup conversion kit for the Brownells BRN-180 upper. The kit aims to provide an L85/SA80-like experience using the AR-180's mechanical lineage. It covers assembly of the kit components, attachment of the upper receiver, and installation of furniture and sights, emphasizing the unique bullpup controls. Range testing is recommended to confirm functionality and handling.

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.