Unboxing a Gun 'For Emigrants of the Universe?' with firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson

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 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.

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 showcases ten advanced and unique firearms, including the belt-fed Reaper machine gun chambered in .338 Norma Mag or 7.62 NATO, and the HM50 B, a precision .50 BMG rifle. It also features the Thunder Struck, a double-shot .22 WMR pistol, the Zenith ZF 56 AR-style rifle, and the non-lethal VKS Pro launcher. The XM556 Micron handheld minigun and a soda can launcher are also highlighted, alongside the Cadex CDX-50 Trimmer .50 BMG rifle.

This review of the Standard Mfg. S333 Thunderstruck Gen 3 by Sootch00 highlights its unique two-stage trigger mechanism, designed to improve accuracy by allowing for better sight alignment before the final break. The video provides detailed technical specifications, manufacturer insights, and practical range testing, positioning the firearm as a distinctive self-defense option. Sootch00's extensive experience lends high authority to the objective and informative assessment of this .22 Magnum pistol.

This review of the Bond Arms Stinger highlights its role as a compact, double-barrel pistol chambered in .380 ACP, ideal for close-quarters defense and pocket carry. The presenter notes its 'gut gun' classification, emphasizing its suitability for very close engagements rather than long-range accuracy. Practical shooting tests reveal significant point-of-impact shifts at distance, with the top barrel firing high and the bottom barrel firing low relative to the point of aim. Reloading can be challenging, with spent casings sometimes requiring prying out. The Stinger's compact size makes it a viable option for situations where larger firearms are impractical, such as on a jet ski or for casual pocket carry.

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.