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

This C&Rsenal "History Primer" documentary delves into the history, function, and live-fire demonstration of the Webley Pryse No.4 revolver. The video highlights the firearm's historical context, featuring insights from the Royal Armouries and referencing historical publications and gunmaker directories. It also acknowledges contributors for ammunition data and animations, and promotes patron support and merchandise.

The Martini-Henry I.C.1 Carbine, a significant breech-loading rifle of the British Empire, is explored in detail. Its design aimed for interchangeability between cavalry and artillery variants. Chambered in .577/450, it utilized a falling block action based on Peabody's design with Martini's striker and Henry's rifling. Specific carbine features include a smaller cocking indicator and rounded receiver. Live firing highlights potential issues with vintage Kynoch ammunition.

This expert guide details the mechanical innovations behind the Colt 1860 New Model Army's larger .44 caliber bore. It explains how Colt utilized a rebated cylinder, frame notching, and an enlarged forcing cone to fit the bigger chamber onto a frame similar to the .36 caliber 1851 Navy model. The information highlights Colt's engineering solutions and contrasts the physical differences between the Army and Navy models.

This video segment from "American Rifleman Television" explores the Lee-Enfield Carbine, a specialized firearm developed for British cavalry at the end of the 19th century. Unlike its infantry counterparts, the carbine featured a shorter, sleeker design optimized to minimize snagging when carried in a saddle scabbard. Key differences include a six-round magazine and specific nose cap configurations. The video touches on its use in the Second Anglo-Boer War, various modifications for different units like the Royal Irish Constabulary and New Zealand troops, and its eventual obsolescence as military design shifted towards more standardized roles by the turn of the 20th century, ultimately being replaced by the Short, Magazine Lee-Enfield.

The Sure Defender is a rare, single-shot percussion knuckleduster pistol from the 1860s, predating common pinfire revolvers. It features integrated brass knuckles for grip and striking, a folding dagger, and a unique mechanism where the knuckles fold back to form the pistol grip. This combination firearm was an early example of 'tacti-cool' design.

This review covers the US Model 1836 R. Johnson percussion pistol, a historically significant firearm originally manufactured as a flintlock and later converted to the more reliable caplock system. The video highlights its unique swivel ramrod, intended for cavalry use, and demonstrates the loading process with black powder. Range performance is assessed, noting its effectiveness as a close-range weapon despite lacking modern sights.

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.