The First Ever British SLR: Serial Number One L1A1 Explained with firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson

This video provides an in-depth look at the FN FAL and FALO rifles as used by Cuba, detailing their history, identifying features, and political context. Expert Ian McCollum highlights the specific markings, early-pattern components, and the FALO's heavy barrel configuration, explaining their transition to Soviet arms after a catastrophic munitions explosion.

This video provides an expert-level overview of battle rifles, focusing on the FN FAL and H&K G3. The host, an experienced firearms influencer, details the operational differences between 7.62x51mm and 5.56x45mm cartridges, including recoil and ammunition cost. He highlights historical contexts and modern configurations, offering insights into their 'cool factor' and suitability for collectors.

This video provides a concise overview of the FN FAL, highlighting its "Right Arm of the Free World" moniker and demonstrating its operational controls. The focus shifts to the Israeli light barrel variant, detailing its unique wooden handguard, adjustable gas system, and muzzle lug. Expert instruction clarifies the challenges of full-auto fire with the 7.62 NATO cartridge, explaining why many were semi-automatic only.

Garand Thumb showcases his extensive firearm collection, detailing historical significance and technical aspects of various iconic weapons. The video highlights the FN FAL, a replica of 'Gordy's Rifle,' the controversial SPAS-12, the unique LR-300, the suppressed De Lisle Carbine, a Seekins Precision SP10, the Colt Monitor, a 10mm MP5, the H&K MK23, and the Winchester 1897 Trench Gun. Garand Thumb's expertise shines through his historical context and practical insights.

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 entry details firearms from the Cold War, featuring experts Jonathan Ferguson and Ian Sanders. It covers the Mauser Kar 98K as a post-war baseline, the FN FAL's adoption and procurement issues by West Germany, and the Heckler & Koch G3 as the definitive West German service rifle, highlighting its technical aspects and global proliferation. The 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge's development and suitability for automatic fire are also discussed.

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.