Seven barrels better than one? The Nock volley gun with firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson.

[@gudea5207]

People think they are hot shit until Sergeant Harper unloads one of these

[@Shamelesscritique1]

The glorious paddy bastard

[@samsowden]

so they do

[@scrappydoo7887]

Unless its obadia hakeswill pointing it at you..... Then you onlyget a ball in the thigh lol

[@balaklava6420]

@@scrappydoo7887 Obadia got his comeuppance in the end.

[@scrappydoo7887]

@@balaklava6420 that he did but only after killing Sharpes wife lol

[@oldmanwinter3597]

From watching Sharpe, I know that this gun is easily fired from the hip, and reloaded off screen in about 8 seconds.

[@Bruciando]

Not the Nock, but the modern version of it (a concept developed for the CIA about 25 yrs later as a long arm equivalent to the Liberator pistol) was a 4bbl break action with packet loading & Sharps derringer style revolving firing pin (because what lunatic wants to unload all their bbls at once? Heh!)

[@michaelstanley5215]

I don't think we ever saw Harper reload the Nock gun, so I always just assumed that it generated its own powder and ammunition and reloaded itself.

[@randomstranger9442]

@@michaelstanley5215 hey ! No full auto in this era !

[@michaelstanley5215]

@@randomstranger9442 Even full auto guns don't generate their own ammunition, please read before you comment.

[@randomstranger9442]

@@michaelstanley5215 I am refering to the "no full auto in the building" joke

[@Duke_of_Petchington]

wiping out a section of french troops with a single trigger pull. Now Thats Soldiering.

[@Jafmanz]

and fantasy

[@exilestudios9546]

@@Jafmanz i mean not really since this weapon was used and capable of doing so it just was used by the navy rather than the army

[@robbuelens]

@@exilestudios9546 Maybe you could hit two people, and in very crammed spaces sometimes three. The Idea that almost every bullet would hit another target is an elementary school Rambo fantasy.

[@SamToulouse]

Brits are allowed to make that joke. The colonies are not.

[@amgonnabakeyobread]

get 'em pat!

[@dylanmilne6683]

6:40 "the rest of them in our stores are in a bit of a sorry state" Could you say they had a hard Nock life?

[@johnladuke6475]

You can have your like but I'm still angry I read that.

[@Heegaherger]

Oh my God, that was too perfect! lol Take my like!

[@platobach8309]

OK … I gave you a ‘like’ … you can show yourself out now …

[@kevinhayes3672]

Nice

[@StoutProper]

Like he said, they have been nocking around for quite a bit

[@Taistelukalkkuna]

Gun Fucious Say: "Double the barrel, double the fun. So that gun is total party party gun."

[@Shining_Whit]

A 'Party Seven'...... I'll get my coat........

[@johnmccallum8512]

@@Shining_Whit Quite right as well that stuff was horrible.

[@gilde915]

it looks more like a party crusher

[@theglitchcounter264]

This feels like one of the fortune cookies from shadow warrior. Example form shadow warrior 2 To maintain perfect accuracy, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.

[@newman793]

You won't be saying that when you feel the recoil

[@bjorntrollgesicht1144]

I love how the British do their museums in the age of the internet. Bovington does a splendid job with their online presence, others follow their example. Told it at Bovi, will tell it again- those videos will produce more than a few future historians!

[@richieb7692]

The Tank Chats with David Fletcher are Wonderful. I found him by accident a few years ago, now I'm hooked.

[@paulleach3612]

@@richieb7692 That man is a national treasure.

[@whyjnot420]

@@paulleach3612 That man is a treasure to the entire English speaking world.

[@sapiotone]

“Sharpe fan or a historian” Is a Venn diagram of this set possible? 😂

[@abergethirty]

or Young Riders fan. They used a crate of them to catch some bandits.

[@SitInTheShayd]

Its a circle

[@timjowitt4882]

O - there's your Venn diagram.

[@julianmhall]

Yes. There is no reason one cannot be both. I have an MA in Military History /and/ I enjoy the Sharpe series - low budget TV that it is. TV drama is Entertainment, it's not meant to be absolutely accurate and/or educational. That's what documentaries are for.

[@rexmcstiller4675]

Could you make a special episode only about the guns in Sharpe?

[@MrPh30]

Have a look at " British Muzzle loaders" he cover them and many more, not the Nockgun however.

[@dash1141]

With guest star Sean Bean

[@MongooseTacticool]

@@dash1141 There is a Waterloo documentary with Sean Bean where he visits the RA museum. It's on KZbin :)

[@SJJensendk]

Suddenly "Over the hills and far away" intensifies.

[@DefinitelyEllie]

Doing a video on the favoured weapon of Sgt. Harper? Now that's soldiering.

[@JnEricsonx]

Hell, imagine giving Harper just a classic double-barrel break-open 12-gauge. He'd be praising to the moon and back-at least because he could reload quickly.

[@Heegaherger]

I was not surprised in any way at this comment.

[@scrappydoo7887]

@@JnEricsonx no i dont think so. I think he would be thinking its a girls gun

[@mikecimerian6913]

Brazing the barrels, that's soldering.

[@admiralsquatbar127]

God saves Ireland.

[@ArcBing]

No joke I just started watching Sharpe this week, the timing couldn't be more perfect for me haha

[@scrappydoo7887]

😳😳😳 You only just started watching it? Is it a rewatch or a genuine first time for you?

[@ArcBing]

@@scrappydoo7887 genuine first time. I was a bit young when it first came out and hadn't even heard of it until KZbin's algorithms put a clip of it up for me. Fantastic show though, and getting to see an actual rifle from it here made it all the better 🙂

[@scrappydoo7887]

@@ArcBing man you have an absolute epic series unfolding before you 👍 i wish i could go back and experience it for the first time 🙂 Its one of my all time favourite series, i hope you get as much enjoyment from it as i did

[@ArcBing]

@@scrappydoo7887 so far it's holding up to your praise, and I'm sure it'll stay as good through the end

[@scrappydoo7887]

@@ArcBing which episode are you on?

[@andywilliams1160]

"He's a funny fella, just jumped head first down the wishing well so he did."

[@CrimsomLeo]

Capt Brand was always a funny man jumping in to a wishing well

[@Caesar_Himself]

Now that's volley gunning

[@piotrczuchowski1080]

Now that's commenting on Sharpe related video!

[@tsoliot5913]

@@piotrczuchowski1080 now that's replying to a "now that's..." Sharp comment

[@richieb7692]

" You wouldn't notice the difference, and you wouldn't care" What a wonderful phrase.

[@azmike3572]

Richard Widmark carried one in his role of Jim Bowie in "The Alamo" (1960), but when he fired it when standing at the front wall, viewers can see the electric cable going to the gun to fire it.

[@GodzillaKaijuGK]

LOL

[@PostProteusKitten]

Man, the algorithm is a helluva thing. First I get a random scene from a show I've never heard of(lennox answered with his life), then I fall in love with the damn show. Three episodes in and all of a sudden this video featuring the gun that debuted in the third episode shows up.

[@MediumRareOpinions]

Great scene, lot of great actors in that part of the series. I did miss Hogan in the later series.

[@markthemaniac3350]

"A gift from Mr. Sharpe, Sir"

[@scrappydoo7887]

"shouldn't have it, sir, h'officers weapon sir"

[@markthemaniac3350]

@@scrappydoo7887 ah, a man of culture

[@scrappydoo7887]

@@markthemaniac3350 loved the series since I was a kid 👍

[@scrappydoo7887]

@@markthemaniac3350 my old man was a royal green jacket so it became a bit of a fascination lo

[@andrewtyler881]

So mind your bloody business Lt. Ayers

[@chrislaws4785]

I really love this channel. I'm ex US military and I have always loved old weapons and their history of use and how they were made. Keep of the awesome work. If I EVER get a chance to to get over seas I will FOR SURE be paying this place a visit.

[@MajesticDemonLord]

Came for the Sharpe memes. Was not disappointed.

[@AlexHalt100]

Remember to always jump into stance and yell "AAAH!" before firing.

[@robertclayton5029]

Jonathan, I've got to say. Not only do you speak to my love of firearms but you always seem to be wearing my favorite bands t-shirts! ✌from 🇺🇸

[@googleyoutubeaccount]

7 barrels instead of one? Now that's soldiering.

[@scrappydoo7887]

Sharpe. That is all Edit : Harper would be proud 👍

[@samsowden]

that's soldiering

[@scrappydoo7887]

@@samsowden yes it is lol but only when you stand in front of a fort to get shot and deliver counterintelligence to the enemy lol Yes i have seen the whole series multiple times 😂😎

[@scrappydoo7887]

@@samsowden I wonder if piecroft knew that line would become immortal lol

[@mats7492]

Good sir, how many barrels do you fancy on this new firearm.. Mr. Nock: YES!

[@kasferret]

Knowing that Jonathan is an Alter Bridge fan makes him that much cooler in my book!

[@LordSpleach]

" Bringing a makeshift shotgun to a musket fight. Now that's Soldiering!"

[@butziporsche8646]

Sergeant Harper kicking ass! Pat Rocks!

[@oml81mm]

He would have kicked 'arse' 😊

[@unpaintedleadsyndrome]

"We don't have any combat accounts" The gun features heavily in the memoirs of one Sgt Harper

[@thepayne7862]

So happy to see so many Sharpe's Rifles fans commenting.

[@vape42]

If ever end going anywhere near your museum I'm definitely going to give it a visit. This looks like 10 year old me's idea of the coolest museum; everything from suits of armor to experimental machine guns. Actually it still sounds like one of the most interesting museums I've heard of in quite a while. Glad to hear you're back open.

[@Zologe]

This looks like something straight out of a steampunk-y cowboy shooter game. I love it. So over the top

[@robertgeorgewerner]

Jonathan, you are such a great advocate for your institution. I look forward to the day I come to England and visit your museum. Until then I will keep watching online.

[@pathardage1880]

Delighted to see Patrick Harper's weapon of choice. Thank you.

[@leakycheese]

The Nock Volley Gun: the only effective counter to the Knights Who Say “Ni!”

[@derekp2674]

If they're hiding in a shrubbery :-)

[@HanSolo__]

... and Polish Winged Hussars to my knowledge.

[@johnladuke6475]

Oh, what a sad world we live in when passing ruffians can unload seven barrels at will into a shrubbery.

[@derekp2674]

Thanks Jonathan, it was nice to learn the history behind the real ones.

[@UpontheGreyWind]

Love the Sharpe reference

[@baffled4life]

This channel is so good. Giving the people what they want!

[@MrTechstyles]

"GOD SAVE IRELAND!"

[@piotrczuchowski1080]

GOD! SAVE! IRELAND! GOD! SAVE! IRELAND! GOD! SAVE! IRELAND!

[@slaughterround643]

who needs an Armalite when you have a Nock?

[@scrappydoo7887]

Cpl lynch is still shouting it in his grave after he stopped being called filth and he died lol

[@JnEricsonx]

LOUDER!

[@ayoungconservative1051]

FILLLTHHHHHHH

[@BiggDoggJake]

Johnathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms and Artillery Wears an H&K Lapel Pin Wears and Alter Bridge T-shirt God Bless you, mate, and live on!

[@svenhaheim]

Perfect fit since I just started watching Sharpe again last week.

[@MrAndrewfreeman]

Literally been watching Sharpe the past few days, damn coincidence.

[@Bhartrampf]

Colonel Thomas Thornton used one for hunting, he mentions it in book " A sporting tour through the northern part of England, and great part of the highlands of Scotland". 1804. Interesting reading.

[@IntrospectorGeneral]

Several Nock volley guns were included as part of the armament of HMS Pandora which captured 14 of the HMS Bounty mutineers in 1790. HMS Pandora was wrecked in 1791 on the the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia while returning to Britain with the mutineers manacled and locked in a cage on the deck (predictably called "Pandora's Box"). About a third of the wreck site has been excavated but no Nock guns found so far.

[@katiejackson3900]

I think Sgt. Harper might have some combat reports.

[@skoshman1]

Like that time a 'silly' officer decided to go face down a well.Or that time in Spain when he had a 'bit of a blarny'. Harper's after-action reports I am sure are something to behold.

[@Stigstigster]

What a beast of a historical weapon. Crikey!

[@mmclaurin8035]

7 barrel naval gun? Now that's soldiering!

[@einheri]

Sailoring?

[@Vaygon]

okay, i'm going to be honest, i'm not that interested in fire arms, but this guy talks with passion about them , and now i love watching and listening to him while he talks about the gun. Plus he plays videogame so, that's awesome.

[@BattlePantaloons]

Complaints about the recoil seems like a good thing to get for a seven barrel gun. I fall people are complaining about is the recoil it both means the user is surviving the encounter where they used it and there aren't many complaints about it

[@milkapeismilky5464]

Patrick Harper says "Boom!"

[@SafetyProMalta]

Jonathan, rcvd the book yesterday. Fantastic!!!

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

Glad to hear it Stephen! Hope you didn't need a steel bookcase to take it..

[@SafetyProMalta]

@@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries Nope...gonna sit right next to Chassepot and thanks for the signature!!

[@MostlyPennyCat]

"Nock Nock Bitches" _Only surviving account of combat use of the Nock gun_

[@georgebardsley7129]

Showing off a classic bit of weaponry, now that’s soldiering

[@TheHolyGash]

Loving the t shirt! Great band!

[@brandonstevenlesher1964]

Honest, the first time I ever heard of the nock gun was in the old PS2 game Gun. A underappreciated western of it's time

[@danielrose8305]

Wonderful work and Informative. Going through the Sharpe series again and this was very fun to know. Thank you!

[@sapiotone]

Saw an excellent program on a recreation version whilst in the States in 2015. The recreation offset the outer touch holes to slightly delay each round, reducing the recoil

[@johnladuke6475]

Hmmm. Would be curious to hear from the tiny group of people who have fired both that recreation and a faithful recreation (maybe even original?). I wonder whether the one-six wha-WHAM recoil would be better, worse or just different compared to the roman-candle offset version.

[@Dustbinlid1]

You know you've got a Monty Python fan when they say "shrubbery" and snigger

[@andywilliams1160]

Bring out the "Holy Hand grenade" Next weeks episode!

[@Zelousmarineinspace]

Indeed, but this is more of a Sharper reference. Now that’s soldiering

[@archer8492]

I'm going to visit the Royal Armouries in a couple of days, can't wait! I'll definitely have to check this one out in that Naval weapons display Jonathan mentioned.

[@sweepingtime]

I've only read the books. This is the first time I've seen Patrick's weapon. What a beast it is.

[@thepayne7862]

Speaking of the Sharpe's books if you didn't l know there is a new one coming out this year Sharpe's Assassin.

[@mateuszwesoowski9583]

Dear Mr. Ferguson. The way I see it: it's the combination of your nerdy knowledge on a badass topic with your British mannerisms and character that makes this so compelling to watch. That's why your game videos are so popular. In them You largely talk about "nothing" (i.e. fictional stuff) but they are interesting because of your reactions. My point is: You're already giving us great knowledge. You're good at it, but I feel that the story/"Ferguson take" part is under utilized. Give us stories. Either way, great work!

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

Thank you, but these videos are meant to be five minutes long, so I'm already saying twice as much as I'm supposed to :) What sort of stories are you thinking of?

[@mateuszwesoowski9583]

@@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries Gun stories from the books. Your opinions on the subject. And real life stories/anecdotes from the gun world. I'm speaking from a point of an European, whose access to guns is highly regulated. But I'm interested in history, engineering and GUNS! I liked the story about the etymological origins of the word "thug". But you quickly stopped and chimed yourself for budding digressions. I say don't. Steer into the skid so to speak. That's what Ian the Gun Jesus from forgotten weapons does;)

[@HanSolo__]

​@@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries Stories, Sir. I'm from the same country Mateusz is. Its awful regulations regarding guns made 100-200 years back in the past, like the Lefaucheux system to become available. The free possession. And a few years later, the law changed and made the Lefaucheux (as single piece load) illegal. This leads to confiscating all of the historical Damascus-patterned Lefaucheux pieces from their legal owners. Ends up with these guns thrown into the furnace. Since this time, I became the real enthusiast of the Lefaucheux odd constructions from multi-chamber revolvers to multi-barrel shotguns, all powered by the pin. :)

[@DanOughton]

Gary Moore reference straight off the bat! Awesome.!

[@MrSheckstr]

You mention smooth bore versus rifle and reload speed around the three minute mark. What OFTEN gets overlooked is at the time Military Black powder muzzle loading rifleman would often carry as small supply of “fast balls”, lead balls of a slight smaller diameter than the rifling which allowed them to switch to close quarters musketeers where speed and shots per minute became desperately more important than longer ranged accuracy

[@jameslewis2635]

You guys should let Ian from Forgotten Weapons have a look and take it out on the range. If for no other reason I like the idea of him firing the gun and flying backwards from the recoil like some cartoon charecter.

[@scottheaton8469]

The Navy had abandoned the weapon because of its propensity to shatter the shoulders of the men pulling its trigger, but in Patrick Harper the seven-barreled gun had found a soldier capable of taming its brute ferocity. The gun was a cluster of seven half-inch barrels which were fired by a single lock, and was, in its effect, like a small cannon loaded with grapeshot.

[@ala5530]

While the Nock is a thing of beauty, the one that really gets me is a custom job I've seen which mounts two of the blighters on a common frame, for 14 barrels of raucous fury, all rifled in the Whitworth style, albeit only .30 calibre or so. Made by Dupe & Co of London, rather than Henry Nock, along with a separate stock and trigger assembly in case you only wanted one seven-barrel cluster, and a seven-barrel powder throw allowing you to charge all barrels in a cluster simultaneously (you'd still need to ram each ball down individually). Made for a retired colonel living in Ireland, if I recall correctly (one Thomas Thornton), currently in the Liege Museum of Arms. Another related weapon that is also really cool is the Chambers Gun- a late 18th-early 19th century 7-barrel flintlock which ripple-fired 224 rounds from a single lock (7 normal balls, and 217 proprietary shot with a hollow vent through the middle), over the course of about two minutes. Granted, it took several hours to reload, but still cool as hell.

[@laheu]

The second and third x-ray pics linked are pretty interesting, they came out fairly well. Fascinating bit of construction with the way the holes were done, wouldn't have guessed that.

[@RMMilitaryHistory]

Another top episode! Keep up the great work buddy!

[@ThorntonValiant]

Alter Bridge T-shirt and history....great combination.

[@ZacLowing]

The first time I shot a 12 gauge, I held it really tight, fired it and marveled at how easy it was. The second time, I didn't hold it as well and gave the shotgun just enough room to smack my shoulder so hard I almost didn't want to shoot again!

[@Bramswarr]

the first time i shot a 12 gauge, i used the low recoil buck which was fun and easy. then i switched to full power slugs and had a bruise for 3 days

[@OriginalOwner777]

There was a nock volley gun on the antiques roadshow. That particular gun had evidence of use in both the Royal Navy and the french navy if I remember correctly it could be worth looking into.

[@not-a-theist8251]

Oooh I know this one from sharpe Loooove the song

[@brianjones7907]

also used by Jim Bowie (Richard Widmark) in 1960's "The ALAMO"..

[@mundaneMindanao]

I feel like I'm the only 18 year old that knows who sharp is. Thanks dad!

[@jamesh9647]

I’m 17 and I know who sharpe is

[@thomaswikstrand8397]

All teens think they are somehow special. It'll pass.

[@thrashstronaut]

At the Armoires the other day, it is a joy to behold and an even better joy to stick a fiver in a slot to know you are keeping this up :)

[@mikeuk666]

Keep up the great work 💪

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

Thanks Mike!

[@keithallardice6139]

I share your enthusiasm for the Nock - such a cool-looking firearm and how very interesting to hear the real purpose for which it was intended and what it ended up being used for! On a sidenote, the table behind you is most distracting, trying to work out what's "on show" almost detracts from the video! Thanks for this, I really enjoyed it.

[@eggsaladsamich7396]

We value the royal armouries too and of course you good sir

[@ChibiViolin]

Now that's soldiering.

[@capt.bart.roberts4975]

I got to fire a replica Nock, I'm a big guy, it knocked me back. Still a very high giggle factor.

[@capt.bart.roberts4975]

Takes an age to reload.

[@incandescentadolescents1889]

alter bridge t-shirt, a man of great music as well as great knowledge

[@adrianburchell8075]

Jim Bowie (Richard Widmark) used one in the John Wayne Alamo movie, first time i saw this gun, then i read the Sharpe books years later, then the tv series.

[@graemestansfield6170]

A beautiful weapon a seven barrel wicked.

[@ozzi31o1]

You may be interested in other X-ray imaging techniques such as X-ray tomography. It uses the radiation from a particle accelerator to shine through the sample, but it can then be rotated to form a 3D internal model. Diamond light source in the UK has the facilities for this.

[@theotv5522]

Free entry is not something I've seen where I live (Aus and Vietnam). Though when I look up the location, Royal Armouries is in England :( Would love to visit it at least once in my life time.

[@JDB1878]

Sharpe, historical firearms, and an Alter Bridge shirt? Now that's soldiering

[@leksluthor3]

There’s a 9 barreled one (three in total I believe) in Glücksburg.

[@michaelleal416]

There is a Nock volley gun in good condition in the Turkish Military Museum in Istanbul. I saw it there in 1993.

[@chooselife2477]

Beautiful piece..

[@carolramsey6287]

Pulling both triggers on a side by side gives you a fair crack. I know the Nock is a lot heavier but seven barrels going off at once must pack a fun kick.

[@ncage2621]

This film has inspired me to re watch my Sharpe collection, thanks. 🤓👍🇬🇧❤️🇵🇸🍉.

[@iansands8607]

In the first episode of Young Riders there was a scene where they used the volley gun. Until I saw the Sharp series I thought it was a weapon of the old west.

[@megazenn22]

I was the first visitor to see your new display :)

[@tombstone1055]

That Alter Bridge shirt is awesome!

[@cbroz7492]

..this rigle made sn appearance in the 1960 movie, The Alamo, used by Richard Widmark as Jim Bowie...

[@Kim-e4g4w]

I don't know how effective this weapon was but I am sure it gave the enemy psychological terror when the volley blast came. Also this kind of looks like a Gatling gun.

[@nathan3252]

This looks like a gun that should be in a video game.

[@Dohlenblick]

I remember seeing one of these, or one quite like it, in the NZ National Army Museum. And some inscription about the gaping wounds it left, although I don't know whether there's a historical account to point towards.

[@NJPurling]

When you see Daragh O Malley fire the replica in Sharpe only the centre row of muzzles are seen to fire. The Sharpe Society alleged the replica was full-loaded and fired at a door. I for one would like to know the range & the pattern that resulted.

[@johnladuke6475]

Odd that they would semi-load the gun with what I'm assuming are full charges for the actor, instead of loading all the barrels with a reduced load of powder. Perhaps with some additives to make it theatrically satisfying. We can see if only some barrels fire, but we can't tell how much punch was actually felt each time.

[@PaulAJohnston1963]

Have to agree with the comment at the end, the cafe does a damn good cup of coffee.

[@rezlogan4787]

Probably not much more effective in combat than a large musket, but for many times the expenditure of lead and powder? I can see why these didn’t catch on. I could see this being something useful to do during nerve wracking lulls in battle where loading a mega gun might provide some comfort. Another good reference for this was the fantastic 2005 video game Gun where it was an unreasonably fast invincible shotgun wielded dramatically by the main antagonist.

[@jrd33]

There's a lot of psychology to warfare. Soldiers who perceive they have superior weapons act more aggressively and are more likely to be effective. I would imagine having a Nock gun in your platoon would count.