Did these experimental bullpups see action? The EM-2 with firearms expert, Jonathan Ferguson

This entry details the identification and key features of the British L1A1 SLR, drawing from expert analysis by Jonathan Ferguson of the Royal Armouries. It covers serial number interpretation, factory and inspector markings, distinctive British modifications like sand cuts and a folding cocking handle, and its service history up to the Gulf War. The guide emphasizes visual identification points and unique design elements of this iconic rifle.

This video demonstrates tactical readiness and threat engagement techniques using specialized gear. An operator equipped with a gas mask, helmet with NVD, and a suppressed Steyr AUG-style bullpup rifle navigates both outdoor and low-visibility indoor environments. The guide covers proper gear setup, tactical movement, and engaging targets in challenging conditions, emphasizing situational awareness and effective use of equipment like weapon lights.

This entry details the Steyr ACR, an experimental bullpup rifle from the 1990s that competed in a US military program. It highlights the rifle's unique polymer construction, open-bolt operation, and its distinctive flechette ammunition, which achieves an exceptionally high muzzle velocity. The information is presented with the analytical depth expected from an expert in rare firearms.

This entry details the Thorpe EM1, a British bullpup service rifle prototype from 1949, explored by weapons expert Jonathan Ferguson. It highlights the EM1's stamped steel construction, Gerat 06-influenced action, .280 caliber, and unique features like dual handguards and an optical sight. The rifle's development context, its competition with the EM2, and its designer, Stanley Thorpe, are also covered, offering insights into a less-discussed piece of British firearms history.

This entry details the experimental FN FAL rifle, contrasting its early prototypes with the later production models and the competing EM2 bullpup rifle. It highlights the significant impact of NATO standardization, particularly the adoption of the 7.62 NATO cartridge, on firearm design and the eventual selection of the FAL over the EM2 due to logistical and cost considerations. The information is presented by Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms & Artillery at the Royal Armouries.

This video provides a practical demonstration of the IWI Tavor SAR 7.62 rifle, showcasing its bullpup design and capabilities. The presenter, identified as an experienced firearms enthusiast, guides viewers through loading Federal Premium .308 Win ammunition into a Magpul PMAG and preparing the rifle for live fire. The demonstration highlights the rifle's recoil management and rapid-fire potential on an outdoor range.

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.