Concealed women's self-defence pistols with firearms and weaponry expert, Jonathan Ferguson

This video provides an in-depth look at a double-barrel percussion pistol from the Victorian era, manufactured by Joseph Riley. The expert highlights its features, including its .58 caliber bore, box lock action, and decorative elements. The discussion also touches upon its intended use as a self-defense or traveling pistol and the historical context of its maker, Joseph Riley, an Irish immigrant who became a prominent London gunmaker.

Jonathan Ferguson of the Royal Armouries examines a pair of highly unusual percussion pistols with steeply angled, near-vertical grips, often referred to as 'saw handle' grips. These designs, exemplified by the Vassalon brothers' work circa 1855, were driven by the need to accommodate a V-shaped mainspring within the grip, a design paralleled in modern revolvers. The pistols feature precise target sights and 13-groove rifling, suggesting a focus on accuracy, though their small size and short barrels limit their practical range for self-defense. The video also touches on the historical context of pistol design evolution and the potential refinishing of these rare examples.

This video from Forgotten Weapons explores the history and technical aspects of Henry Deringer's percussion pocket pistols. Ian McCollum details Deringer's career, the transition from flintlock to percussion, and the design features that made these pistols popular defensive tools. The discussion covers their mechanical operation, common calibers and barrel lengths, and the significant impact of Deringer's brand, even leading to trademark infringement lawsuits over counterfeit models.

This guide details the loading and safety procedures for a Colt Dragoon reproduction, as demonstrated by Mae on C&Rsenal. It covers proper black powder loading, bullet seating, capping, and the use of safety notches. The video highlights improvements over the Colt Walker, such as a shorter barrel and cylinder, and a modified lever latch. Mae's high authority level and demonstration of proper technique provide valuable insights for users of this historical firearm reproduction.

This video demonstrates the loading and firing of a Pedersoli Howda pistol, a double-barreled percussion firearm. The presenter, hickok45, showcases various loads, including birdshot and buck-and-ball, against targets like trash cans. He details the process of loading black powder, wads, and projectiles, emphasizing techniques for securing the loads, especially in the second barrel fired, to prevent shifting due to recoil. The video also touches upon the historical context and intended use of the Howda pistol as a powerful close-range firearm.

This video from Brownells Gun Techs explores a pair of exquisite Jules Manceaux dueling pistols from 1843. The presentation-grade percussion pistols are heavily engraved and inlaid with gold, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship. The description highlights their historical significance, having been presented by King Louis Philippe to English naval hero Capt. Thomas Cochrane, the inspiration for Patrick O'Brian's 'Master and Commander' novels. The accompanying accessories, including the presentation box, nipple wrench, bullet mold, powder measure, and primer box, are equally elaborate, making the entire set a masterpiece of the gunmaker's art.

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.