Concealed women's self-defence pistols with firearms and weaponry expert, Jonathan Ferguson

[@Stigstigster]

This is one of my favourite areas of firearms history. An obviously practical, well thought out and useful kit for anyone although most likely a lady as you say. Lovely to see something from its time in such near pristine condition and with all its components for a self-contained system. A time-capsule of sorts. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing these.

[@DeadnCold]

The Victorian era was such an amazing time of invention. Science and the machinist's skill were making such leaps and bounds that anything seemed possible and they had such wonderful ideas.

[@josedorsaith5261]

And people could defend themselves and their homes

[@derekp2674]

Thanks Jonathan and team, that was really interesting to see. I can see why Royal Armouries would want to acquire such a nice example, even if doing so meant winning an auction for the items. As you still sat on your test range, I did begin to wonder if you were going to test fire one of those pistols for research and educational purposes :)

[@azkrouzreimertz9784]

I think we all need that data

[@samuellow7812]

Neat and fascinating way of giving 19th century women a way to defend themselves with. Also a great pair of weapons to see in that collection, which has some historical information, but not enough to make a story.

[@TheSundayShooter]

Jump forward to the 21st Century: dialing 999 and _maybe_ a whistle if it pleases Her Majesty

[@brittakriep2938]

For a wealthy woman, poorer women had not the money, this pistols could defend her. But happened it so often , that a richer Lady ( of gentry maybe) is unescorted? No husband, no sevant, coach driver? Well, when travelling at night or outside a settlement, she could put the open box next to her inside the coach. But could a lady in fashionstyle of her days carry such pistols concealed , when she walks in a street or park? Perhaps in a Muff?

[@josedorsaith5261]

​@@TheSundayShooter Where the police keep getting caught abducting women

[@18robsmith]

Bloke on the Range did an over view of guns like this, he called them "Lady's muff guns" as they were small enough to be concealed in a lady's hand warming muff (no sniggering at the back there)

[@piatpotatopeon8305]

13:20 I love the image of someone with this dainty, high-class, self-defense weapon melting lead over a campfire to make new bullets.

[@Verbose_Mode]

I lit up with joy when I saw that the powder flask stores the shot as well, that is so clever for convenient carry and management!

[@andreweden9405]

Here in the States we would call those Deringer or "Derringer" pistols. In fact, it sounds like that London manufacturer began his operation just one year after Henry Deringer opened his works in Philadelphia (1825). When I was a kid, my class in school took a field trip out to our capital city Washington DC, and one of the stops was Ford's Theater where president Lincoln was assassinated. It's mostly, if not entirely, a museum now, and they have (or at least had then) on display the very Derringer pistol that John Wilkes Booth used to murder Lincoln. It is very similar to these, except that its trigger is fixed, with a trigger guard, etc., unlike these, which have the swing-out triggers.

[@Sinky-06]

Absolutely magnificent

[@alexandriabrangwin]

That little flip down trigger is adorable!

[@allangibson2408]

A lot of revolvers of this era (and later) had them. They only stopped being common at the end of the century when trigger guards became the default choice and safeties got fitted as standard to most guns.

[@leroywashington3417]

This was fascinating, I love seeing firearms used in Victorian Era. Also lovely calculator watch!

[@aidanfarnan4683]

What a lovely little pistol! I love how almost everthing you need to load it is stored in the powder flask.

[@laheu]

the aesthetic sense is really present with these. not what I expected at all.

[@kevlarandchrome]

Those were wonderful. I love little pocket sized percussion cap pistols. At some point when I get some free time in the shop I really want to try making one and that set looks like a great template to work off of. Thanks for sharing.

[@thepenultimateninja5797]

It's worth remembering that the case was almost certainly not made by the gunsmith. Most likely, the gunsmith commissioned the case from a maker of jewellery cases, but it's quite possible that the case was commissioned by the retailer, or even the end user of the pistols. We'll never know for sure, but it's fun to speculate.

[@NomadShadow1]

As you were discussing the function of the powder flask I couldn't help but hear in my head "And you'd be all like 'Get ye flask'"

[@TrainmanDan]

What can you say, it was a simpler time. I have a (probably) later one, absolutely plain finish with proof marks only. Similar but one of the centre hammer designs so no sights! I tried to fire it once just because but the mainspring was too weak to fire the cap, so no joy there. That is an extremely beautiful set Jonathan, thank you for showing it off. Cheers, Dan.

[@swagnut9864]

Cannot wait to see amazing stuff like this when I fly over the pond to see all of this in person next month. Who knows I might even run into Jonathan lol. Also do we have any idea when they will start selling tickets for tours this spring?

[@IngenieurAerospatia]

Make sure you get yourself to Holt's Auction house too.

[@swagnut9864]

@@IngenieurAerospatia I’ll only been in Leeds for an afternoon but I’ll definitely try and squeeze it in if I can. Thanks for the recommendation 🙏👏

[@a.s.j.g6229]

How was the trip? Did you meet Jonathan?

[@NeonMako]

Casio databank? Jonathan really does seem to be a man of exceptional taste in more than just firearms!

[@johnladuke6475]

I like how these are dated squarely around 1850. Right about the time when people are thinking that self-contained metallic cartridges are too dangerous, because the propellant and primer are together with the projectile. And some lady, or her husband, thought it was a brilliant idea to have a little pocket size powder flask with primers in the end and some lead balls as shrapnel. Because you know, it's much safer.

[@yeright1977]

Gorgeous pieces

[@aferguson850]

Really enjoyed the video, have you ever thought of doing something on the artillery pieces kept by the museum?

[@Martin.J.Walker]

Very surprisingly, the evolution of Handguns is more interesting than I thought it would be.

[@itsapittie]

It seems that over time as the threads wore a little bit, it would be easy to "overclock" the barrel so that the front sight was slightly canted. However, they probably got used very little and in practice maybe they wouldn't get enough wear to matter. Additionally, these were almost certainly "last ditch" weapons used at very close range so in reality the sights wouldn't matter.

[@interstellarsurfer]

I was wondering if the presenter Mr. Ferguson would ever figure out what the function of the barrel wrench was. Glad he finally stumbled upon it. Also, for future record - the nipple wrench facilitates the cleaning of the nipple's flash hole. The nipple isn't a consumable item in regular use, although it does become fouled and require cleaning.

[@Moehre040]

Only read the text on the thumbnail and expected some james bond style stuff, but this is also real cool to see

[@ihcfn]

Very nice set, particularly like the multi function flask!

[@gammalgubbestorstadshoodie9148]

That Gun should be in a future James Bond movie of its small size with British Armory museum as part of movie scene.

[@klegdixal3529]

i like this set decoration almost as much as i enjoyed the volley gun's rack :)

[@lastdon85]

ngl, had me in the first half. sitting here like "bruh its just a muzzle loading cap and ball whoopity doo" but im glad i stuck around. a very neat pair of guns.

[@matthewlynch435]

love the set, audio seems less echoy

[@shlamimk4664]

It's like the antiques road show without the annoying punters. Just kidding. I love the annoying punters. Calm down everyone. Brilliant presentation though as usual. Well met.

[@joshuadavey8937]

When he mentioned that they were in a mock-jewelry case, my first thought was that they were possibly owned by a jeweler who had been robbed one too many times. Either way, very interesting.

[@markwoodger2]

Ladies Lancaster pistols, delicate and deadly. what a treat.

[@luissantiago5163]

Oh stuff like this is so damn interesting. Cheers

[@kenibnanak5554]

I believe those are examples of what used to be called a 'ladies muff pistol.' Carried in the hand inside a hand muff while traveling the street (or alley).

[@booqueefious2230]

Lol. Yeah ive heard that and it makes sense, but still makes me giggle

[@kenibnanak5554]

@@booqueefious2230 I have seen 19th century news accounts of their use against 'ruffians' and I would say those shot in the face or lower belly with one did not giggle very much.

[@Harkness197]

I love Jonathan's watch lol

[@legendofkelamentura]

As usual, learning a lot about firearms history and bonus fact (although not surprising): Jonathan owns a Casio calculator watch

[@georgeford8221]

I’ve heard negligent discharges and injuries were very common with these kinds of guns, namely because when you tighten the barrel it’s easy for a bit of powder to get squeezed between the barrel and the body of the gun. Is this actually a concern? I know modern powder is not pressure sensitive, but perhaps black powder is?

[@samholdsworth420]

These guns are definitely not safe by any means....the Victorian era was toxic to say the least 🙃

[@Salesman9001]

It is concern even with modern powders, it's not the pressure but sparks that ignite both powders. There are pressure sensitive gun propellants but people figured really quickly that they are bad idea, even if they give good performance on paper.

[@williamhart4896]

Such a excellent example of a lady's muff pistols with the full case and tools. thanks for showing it to me

[@markdicker686]

Is the barrel stopped or indexed to line the front sight?

[@davidwong9230]

Looks like craftily crafted weaponry for someone in The Kingsman

[@Stevarooni]

Those sights are aspirational more than useful, that thing would be a good belly gun.

[@scottishcelts2040]

Awesome

[@sepulture777]

would the percussion caps still go off if striken?

[@petebeatminister]

It was not neccessarily made for a woman, because of the box styling. In those days such items were basically only affordable for very rich people, if not nobles, and they had very high expectations on style and quality. So delivering the pistol set in a mega fancy case was probably the appropriate thing to do, if you had a shop in Bond Street in the mid 1800s, with the matching customers. One little fact you seem to have forgotten over the whole excitement: what caliber is it? Looks pretty big for such small pistols - perhaps .44 or even bigger?

[@cgi2002]

With it making it's own shot it may not have been a traditional shot size since it's basically the historical version of a concealed carry. Also with the limited barrel length and powder capacity, a .44 may have been too heavy, something lighter would have made more sense. As for ownership, there are other users who may have wanted a jewelry style case. You have your traditional "upper crust" people, but you also have people like ambassadors who can't be seen to be armed and while its unlikely, there is one obvious group, jewelry stores themselves. Self defence weapons like these wouldn't in theory be out of place in such an establishment, although with their decor I suspect this is unlikely.

[@allangibson2408]

.50 caliber…

[@commander31able60]

is that a Thompson with an integral suppressor on the left?

[@Azguella]

Why do I have image in my head that this was carriable dueling kit just women going around town challenging others to duel

[@catherinewilkins2760]

Thank you for that, have a similar pistol, without the bits. I knew it as a muff pistol, for ladies to have in their muff.

[@Shadow_Hawk_Streaming]

with the unscrewing bore I'm kind of surprised they didn't utilise paper cartridges, something which would definitely make it easier for the user to load in a hurry

[@adrianwarner8686]

These strike me as something a wealthy woman could take with her whilst travelling with nobody knowing. Some discrete personal protection on ocean crossings or rail journeys, easy to keep to hand in a cabin/berth.

[@booqueefious2230]

I think most of these litle old concealed black powder guns were mostly intended for use against dogs.

[@allangibson2408]

@@booqueefious2230 Not in 50 cal. These are more in Derringer class. Quite lethal to humans at short range (IF you can hit them).

[@realhorrorshow8547]

It would be nice to know the calibre (plus other gun nerd stats, obviously). But every lady should have them.

[@spacewater7]

I just finished watching this, and the recent Babylon Bee short 'What if Women Had the Same Rights as Guns' popped into my mind...

[@jakedee4117]

Question for Johnathan; What's the caliber / bore ?

[@lonestar16oz]

Seems like it would make sense for a jewelry dealer to own. Could be on the table top along with actual jewelry boxes, and not raise alarm.

[@_dankle]

Im curious about the weird bottle barrel thing in the back

[@TheRaptorXX]

Another brilliant episode! By the way, where DID you get your t-shirt? EDIT: No worries, I found one!

[@M101K3]

Yay - someone got a decent camera!

[@90lancaster]

Johnathan ; 'Through our extensive knowledge and resources we can date this to 1850" Me :" So you didn't just look at the Hallmarks on the Silver Flask then ?"

[@90lancaster]

Also Me : at the start of the video - oh that looks like a Necklace Case Me : At the end of the video - looks smug

[@Shadow_Hawk_Streaming]

I would imagine that these were the tiffany gun of their day, so naturally it would have been put in such a case to increase the presentation of the pieces when presented to their I assume eager recipient.

[@AaronAlso]

Based on the extensive attention taken to keep everything as small as possible and as concealed as possible I wonder if such items where not specifically meant for something other than self-defense.

[@TommiHonkonen]

new old stock straight from 1850's

[@TheWirksworthGunroom]

When I saw the targets in the background I thought we were going to be treated to a firing demonstration!

[@georgeboatright6635]

another nice shirt!

[@f15htast1c]

Anyone know what kind of watch Jonathan is wearing? It looks 80s-tastic!

[@humanfromearth9671]

God Tier Watch!

[@aussiebloke609]

I wonder if it could be property of a well-to-do madame. I can't think of many other times back then that a woman would keep something like this close to hand - the case being rather bulky for carrying (unlike just a pistol in her muff or purse) and home was usually considered safe enough for women not to need a pistol close to hand. But a brothel madame, in a place where there's potential personal danger, and in a place where a jewelry case wouldn't appear out of place, and who has the cash for something fancy like this...could make sense. It also might explain why details of ownership are hard to find, as a "respectable" company may not want to advertise that a brothel owner used their products. This is all supposition, of course - but it's a fun application of logic. :-)

[@CoinShow]

The relationship women-weapons might be interesting to look into.

[@brittakriep2938]

In 1898 austrian Empress Elizabeth was asassansted in Geneva. A shock for austrian ( and german) noble or rich Ladies. Armed women had been unusual in german language countries, the Derringers and Pocket Revolvers had a ,taste' for many traditional women. So some inventors tried to build rather small automatics in 2-4,25 mm. Yes Kolibri and Erika.

[@wtr2235]

Would've been nice to have a real jewelry case to show as comparison.

[@gerry343]

Who made the Lancaster bomber?

[@benleydon]

The Avro company made the bomber The Lancaster name is after the city - Avro also made the Manchester and the Lincoln

[@Cookynator]

That's a really curious piece of history. Why would a woman in Victorian Britain (and one of at least some wealth, both because I imagine that set would be expensive, and they would have to own enough jewelry for that to not look out of place) want or need a pair of pistols like that? Was it a fashion statement? Was she the wife of someone who travelled the empire and wanted to have some discreet way to protect herself? Or did she live an even more interesting life than that? So many questions and so few answers!

[@Salesman9001]

Sports and parlor shooting was popular among wealthier women so many had guns for that. These seem like they have never (or rarely) been fired, so I'd say they were bought as curiosities or as a conversation item.

[@webtoedman]

My stepmother (Now in her late eighties), defended herself and her infant son from Mau-Mau insurgents in Kenya. The imperial protection theory is not so far fetched.

[@ThisGuyAd.]

I'm sitting there going Lancaster bomber? feeling very silly 😅

[@Lord.Kiltridge]

I am very surprised at how there is no rebounded hammer type safety where the hammer is close enough to the nipple to stop it from falling off, but not pressing on it such that the cap might discharge accidentally.

[@ianforrest]

Were not these pistols called muff pistols as that was where they were held to be instantly available?

[@las10plagas]

I would not have the balls to handle a museum piece. I am sometimes to clumsy, I would break everything, just by looking at it.

[@Chasmodius]

I get the idea of concealment in an object that would not look out of place, but wouldn't a jewelry case be a prime target for potential theft? Perhaps a hat box might have been more appropriate?

[@allangibson2408]

The guns would have been carried on the owners person in her clothing. The case would only be used in her cabin at night.

[@peka2478]

Are sights really making a difference here? I imagine this is more like point and shoot, for it wont hit anything beyong a couple of meters anyway?

[@rrclassics9530]

No wonder they come in pairs. Because reloading takes forever.

[@samb5096]

Tell us about the shirt though!

[@AnyR72]

Spitfire Shirt is by 909 Apparel☺

[@mats7492]

Jonathans Watch tho

[@CAP198462]

What about this kit doesn’t say duelling set? Call it a ladies duelling set if you want. It Might have happened with particularly militant ladies, I suppose. It does come from the period where duelling was out of fashion. The inaccuracy of the pistols would satisfy tradition while hopefully being non-lethal.

[@myparceltape1169]

It could be a gift to a young woman who could not decide between two suitors. A gift from that young woman's father, perhaps. Make the two suitors eyeball each other in the presence of the necklace case. Then open the case and demand they win, or they have lost. "How important am I to you? Important enough to risk your life? And if you think I am, are you good enough for me?"

[@craigslyst]

Inside the buttcap looked like a spare percussion nipple droped out in hand not mentioned in the video?

[@tomwinterfishing9065]

Jonathan’s patent imaginary power 👌

[@johnkey1682]

Could it have been owned by a Jewelry shop owner for defense of his shop without being overtly armed (making clientele uneasy)?

[@allangibson2408]

This is exactly the gun the clients would be carrying. Tiffany sold (very expensive) guns into the 1970’s.

[@samholdsworth420]

OMG I haven't seen a calculator watch since the early 90s 🤣

[@somefool4625]

The case itself counts as a weapon too.

[@vulpsturm]

One reason for the breach loading such as these are, and the wrench, is that when you screw the barrel down, you are forcing the ball (bullet) into the rifling, which is a slightly smaller diameter than the lead ball. This means it will engage the rifling and make it more accurate than the cheaper, smoothbore pistols. "Sights" don't equate to accuracy, but a well made, rifling pistol does. Sadly the Royal Armouries can't do more live firing of their guns (You can just clean these properly, they don't wear out for firing once or twice) because of UK laws against "glamorizing" firearms.

[@odie7764]

I could see a father buying this for his daughter.

[@quattroconcept4]

The case looks like an oyster

[@oscarjosefsson9300]

"Hello girls!"

[@nitemare20000]

Of course Jonathan wears a calculator watch. I love it 😂

[@kittehgo]

Ah the olden days, when you really,really had to be sure you wanted to fire and hurt/ kill something.

[@parrotraiser6541]

Exquisite in both conception and condition. How many similar pieces are known? It must have been a bespoke piece; I can't imagine that as a catalogue item. It's not often mentioned, but I believe that small personal weapons had a lot to do with women gaining political power. With a brace of those, or later a .32 pinfire revolver, a lady could venture out at night to a meeting without an escorting husband. Any ruffian mistaking her for an easy victim might find the mistake to be fatal.

[@toaolisi761]

Should I ever start a gun collection, I think I'd start by collecting Victorian era weaponry.

[@redsnappa7837]

Intrepid Victorian lady explorer self-defence set?

[@zman1508]

Can I have your watch.

[@jtmcgee]

a "get off me" gun

[@_Twink]

my real question is what is royal armories doing to arm Ukraine?

[@imscary2]

well i guessed something completely different