The cavalry carbine with the ingenious butt, with firearms and weapon expert Jonathan Ferguson

This entry details the SR-11 Machine Carbine, an experimental Australian PDW designed by Russell Shepherd Robinson in 1944. It highlights the weapon's innovative 'constant recoil' concept, intended to reduce muzzle rise through a rotating barrel mechanism and a unique external helical fluting. The SR-11 also featured an auto-ejecting magazine for rapid reloads and a telescoping buttstock that doubled as a cleaning rod. Despite its advanced features, the SR-11 was not adopted due to post-war military procurement decisions and performance issues in semi-automatic fire. The information is presented with expert authority by Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms and Artillery at the Royal Armouries.

This guide details the loading and operation of the Civil War-era Spencer Model 1860 Carbine, as presented by Brownells. It covers the unique buttstock-loaded tubular magazine, the manual hammer cocking required with the lever action, and the adjustable ladder sight. The Spencer Model 1860 Carbine is highlighted as a significant firearm for its role in the Civil War and its pioneering use of metallic cartridges.

This guide details the Burnside Carbine, America's first military arm with a self-contained metallic cartridge, as presented by Ian McCollum on Forgotten Weapons. It covers its historical context, design features, unique .54 caliber tapered cartridge, and operational mechanics, including the reciprocating breech block. The information is presented with high authority, drawing on detailed mechanical demonstrations and historical production knowledge.

This video showcases the installation of the Mesa Tactical Telescoping Buttstock Conversion Kit. It provides a direct link to learn more about the product on Brownells' website, indicating a focus on product demonstration and potential installation guidance for firearm owners looking to upgrade their equipment. The content is geared towards individuals interested in firearm modifications and accessories.

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.