The Arms and Armour of The English Civil War

This review covers the 1805 Harpers Ferry Flintlock pistol, a significant early US military handgun. The video highlights its historical importance as the first US-made flintlock handgun, its service in the War of 1812, and its design evolution. Practical demonstrations include accuracy testing and black powder loading, with troubleshooting for misfires.

This expert-level review of the Model 1808 US Navy Pistol by Simeon North, presented by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons, details its historical context and unique features. The pistol was the first contracted firearm for the US Navy, specified under the 1808 Militia Act. Key characteristics include its .64 caliber bore, 10.5-inch barrel, flintlock action, wooden stock and ramrod, 'bag grip' with a brass cap for impact use, and a distinctive belt hook for naval personnel. The review highlights that parts were hand-fitted, not interchangeable, and notes the rarity of original flintlock configurations.

This review delves into the intricate Lorenzoni Repeating Flintlock Pistol, a rare 7-shot antique firearm from the 17th century. It highlights the pistol's unique gravity-fed repeating mechanism, which uses a lever to load powder and balls from separate magazines into a rotating cylinder. The review emphasizes the precision engineering required to prevent chain fires and showcases the internal workings by removing the barrel.

This review highlights five hilariously impractical firearms for concealed carry. It details the slow, complex loading of black powder firearms, the impractical size of the Mauser C96 and full-size .22 pistols for concealment, and the dangerous accidental discharge flaw in the Type 94 Nambu. The video emphasizes that while historically significant, these guns are unsuitable for modern self-defense.

This video features Ian McCollum and Jonathan Ferguson in a 60-second challenge at the Royal Armouries to find three unique firearms: a Charlton Automatic Rifle, a Schwarzlose Model 1898 pistol, and an early SA80 prototype. They discuss unusual mechanical operations and limited historical impact, highlighting experimental designs like the Sterling 7.62mm prototype and the Mars .45 Automatic Pistol.

The Knight's Armament KS-1, designated L403A1 by the British Army, is a new AR-15 platform rifle adopted for specialized units like the Army Special Operations Brigade and Royal Marines. It features a 13.7-inch barrel, ambidextrous controls, and is equipped with a Vortex 1-10x LPVO and an Aimpoint ACRO P-2 for versatile engagement ranges. The rifle utilizes a KAC QDC/MCQ-PRT suppressor and is part of 'Project Hunter' to enhance interoperability with allied forces.

This video details the armor and weaponry of an 11th-century Norman knight, emphasizing the evolution of protective gear. It covers the padded undergarments, the mail hauberk constructed from thousands of iron rings, and the nasal helmet for head protection. The kite shield offered significant defense, while primary weapons included the lance and a one-handed sword.

This video explores a unique modernization attempt of the Martini-Henry rifle using Captain Harston's Patent Magazine. Jonathan Ferguson details the Mark IV rifle's features and the external magazine's mechanism, designed to convert the single-shot rifle into a five-round repeater. Despite its ingenuity, the system faced issues with reliability, high conversion costs, and was ultimately overshadowed by superior bolt-action designs like the Lee-Metford.