Why wasn't this Britain's first bullpup service rifle? The EM1 with weapons expert Jonathan Ferguson

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 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 guide details the assembly and basic operation of the British PIAT Mark 1, a World War 2 anti-tank weapon. It covers mounting the weapon on its bipod, understanding its internal spring-loaded spigot mortar mechanism, and adjusting the rear sights. The video also includes historical combat footage demonstrating its use.

This guide details the inspection and basic maintenance considerations for the experimental British EM-2 bullpup rifle, drawing on insights from Jonathan Ferguson of the Royal Armouries. It covers checks for specific variants, potential issues like sight condensation and magazine catch durability, and historical context regarding its trials and adoption politics. The information is presented with an authoritative tone, reflecting the expert's deep knowledge of historical firearms and archival data.

Expert Jonathan Ferguson from the Royal Armouries provides a detailed examination of the British service M16A2 assault rifle and the Colt Model 715. He covers standard M16A2 features, receiver and furniture changes, the burst fire mechanism, and adjustable sights. The discussion extends to the Colt Model 715's differences, including its A1-style sights and full-auto capability, drawing parallels with the Canadian C7 rifle.

This guide details the installation and initial use of the INFITAC FML19 micro thermal sight, focusing on a custom piggyback mount setup for bullpup rifles. It highlights the sight's RMR footprint compatibility and touchscreen interface for adjusting imaging modes. The demonstration emphasizes practical identification ranges versus theoretical detection ranges for thermal optics.

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.