The Deadly Weapons That Changed History | With Jonathan Ferguson

History Hit teams up with Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms & Artillery at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, to test out the firearms that changed the course of history. From the arquebus, a 16th century smoothbore matchlock and one of the earliest guns fired from the shoulder, to the devastatingly powerful First World War Vickers machine gun, we witness the frightening effects of these weapons.
In the first episode of the series, History Hit presenters Louee Dessent and Luke Tomes head to the firing range in Leeds to test their accuracy with three British weapons: the arquebus, Brown Bess musket and Lee Enfield rifle (SMLE).
Next up, it's a deep dive into the history of the Martini-Henry rifle and its precursors. This weapon was used by the British Army when the British Empire was at its height, famously featuring in the Boer War and Zulu Wars.
Dan Snow then joins Jonathan to fire the Vickers machine gun - a weapon which proved so deadly during the trench warfare of the early 20th century.
Finally, we head to the American Old West, to shoot some of the weapons made famous by outlaws like Billy the Kid and Jesse James. Louee and Luke go head-to-head with Jonathan in a test of marksmanship, firing the Colt SAA, the Colt Navy 1861, Winchester rifle 1873 and sawn-off shotgun.
#historyhit #firearms #weapons
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00:00:00 Introduction
00:02:03 16th century arquebus
00:10:34 Brown Bess musket
00:18:04 Lee Enfield (SMLE)
00:26:36 Martini-Henry
00:50:50 Lee Enfield (gel block test)
00:55:18 Vickers machine gun
01:03:11 Wild West weapons
01:09:05 Colt revolvers
01:18:49 Winchester rifle
01:26:43 Shotguns

[@WaltonSauce]

Night at the Museum would be a very different experience in the Armouries

[@echeekflower7495]

Yes a 5 minit Move

[@Kaarl_Mills]

"Evening gents!" *Johnathan standing behind his Home Alone-esqe gauntlet of traps*

[@aesthetics8230]

I read a /K/ Story bout something similliar

[@callumjohnston858]

@@Kaarl_Mills Honestly sounds like a solid horror comedy. Getting hunted by a historian who insists on telling you about every single weapon and trap.

[@Kaarl_Mills]

@@callumjohnston858 *bang* "Now this here is the MP5SD, and you're in for a real treat: the integral suppressor means that none of your mates are gonna hear the weapon rapport, and you'll be able to hear my thoughts on it that much better!"

[@mrpurple2306]

Our lord and saviour Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms & Artillery at the Royal Armouries in Leeds is back and this time with a banger!

[@MrEdgeer]

amen

[@MarquisVincentBissetdeGramont]

Amen 🙏

[@TheDavidlloydjones]

I think you mean with a bang. There isn't a sausage in the whole place.

[@AntonAdelson]

Our Lord and Savior is Ian but Jonathan is the top disciple!

[@adenkyramud5005]

​@@AntonAdelsonpraised be gun jesus, for he is the light and the way, but occasionally the light is muzzle flash

[@OdaTheSamurai]

Jonathan is KZbin's Quartermaster and I'm here for it.

[@jimbass1664]

I love the way Jonathan keeps total control of the room whilst sounding so laid back and relaxed. Though I did beat him to "finger off the trigger!"

[@grimsladeleviathan3958]

He has the vibe of visiting a friend while they're at their work place. They are friendly and jokey, but still have an air of professionalism. I really like him!

[@snideaugustine2143]

Trigger discipline lads. XD

[@MeanBeanComedy]

​@@grimsladeleviathan3958It's why he's the internet's favourite gun historian!

[@christopherpage2622]

​@@MeanBeanComedyhim and gun jesus would be a fantastic collaboration sharing knowledge

[@LordChesalot]

​@@christopherpage2622they have in the past

[@JustSomeVideos0]

Can we just have an entire channel of Jonathan and the boys firing stuff? Reckon 4 or 5 series might show half the stuff in the armoury? 😃

[@silentassassin47]

yes! 😊

[@NetherStray]

"Cheers, mate! Let's see what this Howitzer can do! In three... two... one...!"

[@danielcurtis1434]

I’m guessing cuz it cost a bunch they need to get permission from the museum. Worse these guys don’t understand firearms at all so they don’t know what to pick that would make sense. A much better option is a trip to America!!! A single trip they could shoot just about anything!!! There are rental places in plenty of states just go pay and do no complex BS. A museum just isn’t the same as a genuine range. Also it would be nice if they shot at any significant distance, like more than 15-20 yards???

[@blackjacka.5097]

​@@danielcurtis1434American gun nuts trying to shut up for 5 minutes challenge (IMPOSSIBLE)

[@R0ndras]

Royal Armouries. Its the museum channel and its mostly Jonathan explaining history of weapons and there's some shooting in there too.

[@cheutho]

Jonathan Ferguson totally needs a cameo in John Wick 5. I'm sure we can find an excuse for a chase scene through the museum.

[@TheEFRoommates]

If they have a firefight in the middle of the Royal arms museum or a theatrical copy of it, it would be like the knife fight in the third one

[@WayStedYou]

British continental armourer

[@Bobbymaccys]

Needs to be a scene with him holding off the bad guys with the Vickers!

[@andreasevt1]

Imagine him and Gun Jesus in a JW movie :D

[@kylewhite8434]

​@@andreasevt1That would be fucking awesome!

[@Bossmoonpie]

I'm a simple man. I see Jonathan Ferguson, I hit like.

[@Specter_1125]

An important detail about the battle of Pavia: the French gendarmes were occupied by other enemies in melee while they were getting shot in their flank and back.

[@billder2655]

wouldn’t want to have been a hapsburg infantryman finding out that i was going to be the anvil to that hammer😂

[@pierreb7100]

This Jonathan guy that I'm discovering today has a really great personality.

[@kaede4292]

he's great, theres an entire series where he looks at guns from popular video games and compares them to the real life thing

[@CorvusCorone68]

@@kaede4292 it's also good that he's a gamer as well and respects that realism can sometimes be disadvantageous, for example for balance purposes

[@Snellythedog]

He’s pretty amazing. I’d recommend gamespots Loadout and Firearms Expert Reacts series if you want more of him.

[@Snellythedog]

@@CorvusCorone68I do appreciate that about him. Like how snipers work in TF2, despite that being one of the worse in terms of firearm accuracy.

[@livethefuture2492]

Does he have a channel of his own? I would like to look it up after this.

[@B0redZer0]

Jonathan looking like a badass in the thumbnail.

[@chancylvania]

Hey look it’s Johnathan Ferguson, keeper of firearms and artilleries at the royal armories in the UK, which hosts thousands of iconic weapons from throughout history.

[@__TK___]

„The Colt Single Action Army. The greatest handgun ever made. Six shots, more than enough to kill anything that moves.“ -Revolver Ocelot

[@GeordieSwordsman]

But the engravings offer no tactical advantage whatsoever.

[@thebroheamyth6478]

@@GeordieSwordsman engravings offer you EVERY tacticool advantage ever.

[@user-gu5ce2fz7i]

Jonathan is KZbin's Quartermaster and I'm here for it.. Appreciate the compilation. I enjoy anything with Jonathan Ferguson in it!.

[@Angelfyre.]

My dad owns an Australian No.4 Lee Enfield, and as someone who weights 120lbs soaking wet I can say the .303 really kicks your shoulder if your not used to it. My arm was sore for hours afterwards, and I only put 20 rounds through it. I have to say I’ve never had issues with my M1 Garand .30-06, it’s a comparable cartridge but I think the weight of the Garand helps with the cartridge more than the Lee Enfield

[@kylekemp1446]

Also the m1 is using some of the gas to cycle the action so not all of the recoil energy is going straight to your shoulder like a bolt action

[@Dumpster-Fire40]

@@kylekemp1446pretty much all modern firearms

[@ravenfeeder]

@@kylekemp1446 my shoulder can confirm, 30-06 is absolutely brutal out of a bolt action, the gas system helps a ton

[@Alex.Holland]

There was one time as a kid I put 80 or 100 rounds through my m1, and it gave me a hell of a bruised shoulder. I must have had sloppy form that day, as it never happened again. You would think that metal buttstock and .30-06 would result in nasty recoil, but teh damn thing weights 12 pounds, and uses gas to cycle. In general I have not found it too bad.

[@jugo1944]

120 lbs? Are you a dwarf?

[@Baegitte]

This is the collab none of us expected but all of us now want to continue ❤

[@silentassassin47]

absolutely

[@americankid7782]

Muskets and Muzzle loaders were damn scary. Those wound channels are unlike anything I’ve seen with few exceptions.

[@nobodyjustacreep]

I love when Jonathan tells them something dangerous can happen he's so chill about it... "it could potentially blow up.. maybe"

[@MrSquigglies]

Maxims have been seen in fighting in Ukraine, updated with red dot sights and magnified optics. That's a firearm designed in the 1890s with the same cartridge from even earlier, taking active part in fighting after the development of the thermonuclear bombs.

[@Brian-tn4cd]

As i told my mom one time the discussion of getting a gun came up (we are not from US just by the by), a gun made 200 years ago can still kill, its more dependant on skill of the shooter and the armor utilized by your opponent, latest and greatest are more convenient but if your goal is to kill it'll all work

[@hboyO2]

​@@Brian-tn4cdfor that matter a very simple single shot homemade gun can kill, and anyone can build that with a couple days of research at best. Hell, if you really want to kill someone most people will just grab a knife, that'll do the work alone most of the time. Modern gun laws are more about trying to limit the reach and number of people you could kill in a short time without having a real struggle or "fight", but yeah a gun is a gun

[@oogaboogaicu]

@@hboyO2 except that this month British police have been confiscating guns from certificate holders alongside all reloading equiptment and books regarding firearms. can still watch a guy make a 12 gauge shotgun out of 2 pipes a washer and a nail on youtube though.

[@andreasevt1]

Meaning it's a relable weapon and an efficient design. :D

[@andrewince8824]

When the Vickers was replaced in British service in the 1960s, the army was curious. They gauged one to ensure it was factory spec. Then 1 million rounds were put through it. It was gauged again. Still factory spec. The Maxim system just works. Even the Browning M2 is at heart a beefed up Maxim action. The system may be over 120 years old but the results are undeniable.

[@markieman64]

Appreciate the compilation. I enjoy anything with Jonathan Ferguson in it!

[@clickytheblicky9895]

1:08:30 my family were Spanish settlers during the “Wild West” in my families journals and stories passed down it was normal for children to have a gun of their own, as young as 7 years old. It was a hard life and you had to grow up and grow strong and get smart REAL FAST to stay alive. Native American raids were a very real thing and of course scalping, also murder and theft/rape was just as big of a threat in those times. My great great great grandmother talks about in her diary meeting a man who survived a Indian raid and was scalped, he was shot and passed out, natives raided and scalped them and he woke up and walked a whole day to the nearest homestead who tended to his wounds and saved his life.

[@clickytheblicky9895]

@@tatumergo3931 yes, when I turned 8 my father got me a 22 rifle. He taught all his sons gun safety and how to shoot starting around the age of 5-7. Grew up in New Mexico and Arizona. It’s very common to teach kids young about guns and how dangerous they can be. It’s all about knowledge and safety. Kids don’t carry guns anymore like they used to back when the west was being settled but learning how to protect yourself is very important even now especially on the south border states of the US. Lots of break ins, kidnappings, and murders from illegal immigrants crossing the southern border. About 12 years ago my neighbors wife was raped and valuables stolen while he was at work. So there very much is a need to learn how to protect oneself and their family and property at a young age. And it’s not just the country side. Even cities have young responsible gun owners all over the US. But it is more common in the west/southwest , and southern US. Majority of Americans take gun safety very seriously especially your “country” type people. Lots of men grow up with stories of their first BB guns or 22 rifles get smashed up by their father for pretending to point at someone or being irresponsible with the weapon. And if they are smart they learn from their mistake and if they work hard and be good they might get another rifle for for their birthday and this time they will remember to never be irresponsible with it because they don’t want dad to smash it again lol. That’s a very common story western/southern American men go through as rambunctious children.

[@holstatt6896]

you'd think the colonists woulda got the message that the land they were stealing was already occupied. Stupidity and obstinance run through white people like rivers, tho.

[@Reddotzebra]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that many complained about the early muzzle loading weapons because they considered the Longbow's rate of fire so much higher. To the tune of a competent archer being able to fire ten arrows before you could reload once. Edit: I guess the armour piercing properties still made it worth it though, they should have used these as specialized support weapons against heavy armour.

[@scootergrant8683]

Many may have complained but that's just older generational thinking with newer generational tools. That's been the case throughout modern arms history. Older ways of thinking being applied to new tools and blaming the tool for the problem and not the outdated fighting strategies.

[@brettread6373]

Think about the American civil war l can not remember his name but a high ranking officer in supply didn't like the Spencer repeating rife as he thought troops would waste Ammunition. You couldn't make it up.

[@RevanAlaire]

Ease of use had more to do with firearms replacing bows than armor penetration. Training someone to use a bow takes years, whereas loading and firing a muzzleloading firearm can be taught in a few days.

[@Playingwith3D]

My dad had a 1907 SMLE, my brother and I would do the mad minute in the back yard when we were kids. I still have it. It still freaks me out to hear someone say they have never handled a firearm before. Different times.

[@tonyoliver2167]

I think that it was handling firearms of all kinds, black powder to all the rest, which gave me true discipline

[@peterclarke7006]

​@@tonyoliver2167with us brits, it's handling tea of all kinds, from the nasty instant stuff, to the various types of teabag, to the looseleaf tea made in a teapot. You're not a real brit if you can't make a good cup of tea in a teapot.

[@tonyoliver2167]

@@peterclarke7006 you're not a real Brit if you don't like discharging your 12 gauge on your twentie acres in the direcsioun of this Chistmasses phesent

[@1lovesoni]

​@@peterclarke7006most Americans would then chastise you though for pouring cream/milk in it. I personally enjoy my Chai or Earl Grey with cream, but I'm part of a tiny minority here in the US that don't drink it either black or cold & sweetened to hell.

[@peterclarke7006]

@@1lovesoni The day a Briton takes chastisement from an American regarding how to make tea is the day we decide we've had quite enough of your uppity nonsense and recolonise you in order to teach you the error of your ways! 🤣 But seriously... We don't put cream in tea. The mere suggestion will result in civil unrest and Urgent Questions in parliament. It's milk, preferably semi-skimmed, or possibly a slice of lemon if we're feeling posh. Or we might just have it black. Saying that, if someone offers to make you tea, and you ask for it black, expect them to add milk out of sheer instinct.

[@AhsokaTanoTheWhite]

Bite. Pour. Spit. Tap. Aim. Fire. Watching and remembering what Richard Sharpe taught me, that's Soldiering. Sad that there was no baker rifle, the loading techniques of that weapon are interesting, with the patch of leather, and everything, and it's damn beautiful.

[@Maggi9909]

Jonathan would be a good fit for a Western action movie he just looks right with a revolver

[@Slater6377]

I am an American in a state with very few firearm restrictions and I am jealous of yall's opportunity to shoot these pieces of history. Wow. It would be so cool to get the chance that yall had to spend the day with this historian surrounded by all of that history.

[@ninabooker2904]

The Lee Enfield is a beautiful looking weapon, would love to display one over a fireplace mantel.

[@nem447]

nah you shoot it

[@kisel1973]

1-2 world war bolt actions are all beautiful, just perfection

[@tylerhabdas7903]

This is why education and experience on anything are important . Everyone should have it .

[@nero354]

Jonathan loves firearms so much that he inhales the smoke that comes from the barrel, proper lad 15:50

[@TheNetsrac]

excellent video, thank you very much to everyone involved

[@edwardmauch2918]

The royale armory has such beautifully preserved treasures. I always love seeing the old stuff in pristine condition

[@patrickbo2045]

I loved watching this. Especially the tests on the gel blocks were a great way to see how much damage these armaments could do! The tumbling Enfield bullet had me terrified!

[@johnwilson2338]

It's always interesting to see newbies using guns. The U.K. should instill more shooting clubs!

[@stemill1569]

Jonathan is a real pro. The first thing he does when he gets a weapon back is opening the chamber to check that it's empty. Even he saw just a second before that the chamber is empty. That's professional weapon handling.

[@Chrisander90]

Gotta love HistoryHit & the Royal Armouries Museum

[@Cats-TM]

50:35 Fun fact: president Theodore Roosevelt got shot…specifically, he got shot before a campaign speech. The only reason he survived is because his glasses case and speech (which was conveniently folded up) stopped the bullet from going far enough into him. Then he did the speech anyway after telling the crowd and police not to harm the guy who shot him. He was both a hunter and an anatomist so he knew that since he was not coughing blood his lungs were not punctured and therefore he could survive until he got to the hospital. So, yeah, getting shot is not that bad if it does not exist or puncture anything important.

[@jakestechtravels4864]

Fantastic video guys!! A great viewing :)

[@SFxTAGG3]

I will never not be amazed that your range is just some back room with a bunch of junk in storage rather than a purpose built room with traps at the end.

[@edwardking9359]

It is a purpose built room with traps at the end. Its just a room that doesn't see as much use as the rest of the building, and becomes a convenient place to put stuff that doesnt really have anywhere else to go.

[@kenh6096]

Great video, looks like you guys had fun.

[@Cats-TM]

Jonathan is such a nice guy, I would love to spend a day listening him just talking about the neat guns of the collection. Even though I have heavy social anxiety I would bare it just to listen, I like learning.

[@sillysongs19]

nice compilation :) Johnathan is a fantastic resource on these subjects

[@setesh1294]

Johnathan probably has the coziest indoor range I've ever seen

[@theprancingprussian]

Johnathan still keeps his emotional support mp5 to cuddle after a long day of seeing what cod players do to their guns, in case of vanguard he uses his emotional support sturmgewehr also I'm pretty sure this is a reupload

[@AR-GuidesAndMore]

Its a compilation.

[@Raul_Menendez]

Cringe comment.

[@CorvusCorone68]

it's one thing to allow customization in WWI or II depictions, it's another to have the tech offered be anachronistic; case in point: red dot sights were far too cumbersome for infantry firearms; they were on vehicles only; it's like how in movies they show someone wielding a minigun portably

[@tiestofalljays]

That Vickers gel test really puts some possible injuries into..perspective? I can totally see how these machine guns during the First World War could literally have blown limbs off of advancing troops…or even cut them in half. Horrifyingly effective. Imagine knowing that’s what could happen to you and yet you willingly go over the top with your mates anyway. Sure, World War 2’s machine guns were even more fearsome, but the Great War just hits me differently. I’ve seen videos of the recent trench combat in Ukraine, but the sheer scale of the Western Front trenches during the Great War is still difficult to comprehend.

[@DaveDexterMusic]

My recollection is that WW1 was when the gladly embraced lie of warfare being glorious, noble and righteous was deflated forever. Soldiers didn't really know what they were signing up for, at least at the start, and so I'm sure you had a lot of poor bastards going over the top genuinely not expecting this kind of weaponry and consequence. And as for going over with your mates, that was part of the conscription/signup propaganda.

[@andrewince8824]

The sickening part is that the British brass knew what these systems could do. One can forgive Germany, Austria-Hungary or even the French for their unpreparedness, however, Britain faced machine guns and modern small-bore rifles during the Second Boer War (1903) and the Russians had seen the results in the Russo-Japanese war (1905). On the bright side, the wounds inflicted have improved medicine. Between 1914 and 1918 medicine advanced at a lightning rate and the effects last even today. Every cloud has a silver lining or something like that.

[@scootergrant8683]

They definitely did not blow limbs off or cut them in half. It's way more likely to happen with a musket than a 150 grain piece of copper-coated lead. Even then, I don't think the limb being blown off is a concern considering the entrance and exit wounds due to musket-fire.

[@scootergrant8683]

@@andrewince8824 What is sickening? Everyone had these kinds of ammunition since the 1880s. The First World War was 30 years later. By that time, all armies had engaged with this weaponry. I do suggest you do look further into the topic before making such claims.

[@scootergrant8683]

@@extantfellow46 Do you happen to have those accounts on hand because machine gun fire is not directed on singular soldiers. Remember, it's accuracy by volume at large swaths of targets. Sure, it may have happened but it's not something that a machine gunner team would be responsible for in every instance of engagement.

[@protoculture289]

Jonathan is so knowledgeable and charismatic

[@cymrodave]

This needs to be a series with Johnathan and the guys shooting guns through history.

[@falseprofit4u]

I absolutely love the firing the Lee Enfield. There's something special in the push type recoil and the way it lifts

[@bradthejew]

Jonathan Ferguson is such a legend, love this man

[@michaeltrinkus1772]

Wonderful statement: “it is quiet save.” Life is so relative. Nice job everyone.

[@kayshell66]

I love watching ppl shoot guns for the first time. The instant smiles 😂 very nostalgic lol and what an arsenal to choose from for their first time! Very fun video

[@Deunan_Knute]

Jonathan Ferguson and Ian Mccollum are the best gun guys in YT

[@deathcat1016]

Great video. Jonathon would make a fine American.

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

It was informative historical coverage about early and primary fire power of three different periods designed rifles of English commonwealth Soldiers also it was thrilled looking 👍🏻 8:37

[@blackironseamus1017]

I love Jonathan he is so charismatic

[@zulubeatz1]

As a kid in the Army Cadets I shot the .303 SMLE and it was like a bazooka to us ! We were scared of the kick. I also shot a .22 conversion of it which was very nice to shoot as the build of the LE cushioned the .22 really well. We had the LMG too which was a modernised Bren gun.

[@ler3968]

I always loved the Lee Enfield look and its history. My brother and I bought one in the `1960s. I came across a supply in a local gun store in the early 90s selling for about $190. It was in Cosmoline grease protective wrapped from a factory I assume, the wrapping label indicated EGYPT 1955, in .303 cal w bayonet, it looks like a No. 4. I still have not fired a round thru it. I even found WWII UK surplus bandoliers with clips and rounds. My kids will probably sell it someday for 10 Quid. :(

[@imperialus1]

The Enfield is a beautiful gun. My grandfather bought one when the Canadian Armed Forces was getting rid of their old surplus in the 60's or 70's since he was so familiar with it from WWII. Used it as a hunting rifle for years before I inherited it. Was never into hunting myself, but I did some target shooting with it for a few years before I had kids and decided to sell it to someone who would take proper care of it rather than just leaving it moldering in a gun safe like I was.

[@1lovesoni]

As an American Enfields used to be a common budget rifle here. Nowadays though they've been mostly gobbled up by collectors. I have a sporterized Mk3* my uncle converted into a hunting rifle. I've been slowly trying to find the furniture and parts to restore it to it's former glory (basically restoring it to "as issued"). Most bolt actions available in the US use Mauser style cock-on-open type actions. The Enfield style short pivot & cock-on-close action is much better in my opinion. I feel like it's significantly smoother and faster. I just love it. If I can track down a 2nd one for a reasonable price, or possibly an Ishapore, I intend to file the paperwork and turn it into a De Lisle carbine.

[@alganhar1]

@@1lovesoni There is another advantage of that short pivot, you can maintain cheek weld while operating the bolt, which you cannot do on most Mauser style rifles unless you want a black eye. It makes for much faster follow up shots, and allows you to move onto new targets more rapidly because you are never losing your sight picture.

[@PlayJasch]

Jonathan coming with his cart full of guns with this smile, proud like a child 27:36

[@fanbatcher]

In the States, there’s been a resurgence of interest in Lever Action rifles with the likes of Henry Repeating Arms and Marlin leading the way. In fact, Uberti makes a nice 1873 replica in .357 Magnum

[@barnabiswirley2132]

I own my grandfather's M1 Garand rifle he carried during WWII. He notched the stock with each confirmed kill he got. In his squad, they had a competition to see who could bag the most before the war ended. He's got 17 notches on his rifle before he was wounded and sent home in 1944. So I guess I can say I own a rifle that has 17 kills to it already. Some will find it morbid, had a Karen who was offered by it, but for military vets and historians it's just an interesting piece of history and insight into the mind of some soldiers/marines during the war.

[@jeremypreston5009]

As an American with an English expat for a father I think I'm qualified to declare Jonathan an honorary American

[@marvindebot3264]

Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms & Artillery at the Royal Armouries has the best job in the world.

[@screamingcactus1753]

This is really cool, but I just find it kinda funny that their shooting range has the same tiled ceiling and fluorescent lights as my old school

[@nocturnal8171]

I would watch so much more of this.

[@HistoryHit]

More coming later in the year!

[@leroywashington3417]

I needed a practically feature length documentary of historical firearms with jonathan as the host

[@anceledusstorm7534]

I am going for both. That 5.56 and Sig 3.08 are my two absolute favorite AR configurations

[@Russia-bullies]

You should make a show that compares guns that were on opposite sides of wars hosted by Jonathan Ferguson.For example,the Garand & the Arisaka.

[@burroaks7]

Jonathan Ferguson the real MVP!

[@bao6287]

Johnathan actually looks like an assassin from the John Wick universe in the thumbnail

[@judddobson4941]

Being American, it’s neat to see the guns that were a big part of another countries history. Some were used in almost every country, while some were more popular in one place and time, but less so in others.

[@ismarwinkelman5648]

Great to see you guys meeting up again! Maybe next time bring along Alice or Dan? Their expertise might be more towards the pre-firearm eras, but I am sure they're equally curious as most of your audience is 🙂

[@markieman64]

Dan is in this video.

[@ismarwinkelman5648]

I hadn’t finished the entire video when I wrote my comment 😂

[@hallion100]

Jonathan is a Legend.

[@mrtelechi]

Superb!

[@katherinecollins4685]

This was great

[@kygunworks4982]

Just picked up a 1943 No. 4 Mk 1 star Enfield a few weeks ago. It's a hurriedly produced wartime model but I'm still very happy to own it

[@ryangsluke]

First time ever seeing these boys, absolutely loving Luke’a glow up from 1 to 2

[@mikewazowski5803]

I love Johnathan Ferguson and am a historical firearms nerd. This is my dream

[@grimsladeleviathan3958]

Johnathan when they were talking about the Martini Henry, the suit, the blue gloves, all he needs is a mask and he'd be on his way to join the Payday gang

[@brycevo]

This is awesome

[@resentfusion5634]

Thanks for the video glhf

[@tardactual8791]

Thats a neat range theyve got in there

[@robashley8216]

This is the most American place in england, its glorious. I gotta go there some day

[@laernulienlaernulienlaernu8953]

The old black powder, mussel loaded rifles look quite satisfying to use. I like the small delay and the flash.

[@iandrake8202]

great vid

[@woodenturnip6092]

I never realized just how tall Dan is until seeing him with Johnathan. Absolute unit.

[@demonicspire1345]

That clip of Jonathan at 27:15 makes him look like he could be the concierege at a hotel in a john wick movie.

[@davidkinsey8657]

Many arquebusses came with metal stands to help keep the gun straight. I'm surprised they didn't have them.

[@TOFKAS01]

Those stands became outdated quite fast.

[@liam3104]

oh yea i remember seeing those in video games

[@Gameprojordan]

Those were monopods and they were completely seperate from the gun. You'd really only see those used by sharpshooters or people on emplacements.

[@AZestyM]

Awesome

[@aceman1126]

Enfields are the sexiest bolt action battle rifles... so awesome! Glad to have gotten my long branch and ishapore rifles back when they were reasonably priced.

[@EastBayFlipper]

The royal armories should do a show on air guns😉👍 I noticed that bulbous air receiver in the rifle rack

[@robertmooney1492]

In the years to come, marksmanship placed in the context of trad archery will become extremely relevant. As someone of English/Irish descent, id recommend practicing at least every Sunday......

[@tofusaid]

I love Jonathan Ferguson, keeper of firearms and artillery

[@miklawson211]

I learnt to shoot a 303 Lee Enfield in the Army Cadets. I really enjoyed the Lee Enfield although i found the L1A1 fun. Proffessionally i carried the L85A1 and didn't really have any of the advertised L85 problems.

[@gilesleonard6876]

My dad was in the civil war society, I remember as a kid that he used to go out hunting with his matchlock...

[@nicholasgallo3599]

You guys should make some new videos like these such as showcasing the weapons of the American Revolution and Weapons of the British SAS from WWII to the present day. Also I’d like to see some new videos on the American Revolution as well

[@Ob1sdarkside]

First time watcher and was hoping I'd see the Martini Henry!

[@ThetrueDrnastyflaps]

Had it in my head that pepper boxes were the most common gun in the old west. Would have loved seeing them try one of those or even a little derringer.

[@1lovesoni]

Pepperboxes were somewhat archaic by the time of the west, while Derringers were usually considered either a vest pocket pistol or ladies gun. The most common firearms were probably actually older cartridge conversion rifles (think Trapdoor Springfield), Rolling Blocks & Spencers. After the Civil war a lot of those guns became extremely cheap as military surplus guns and many ranchers didn't see a significant need for a pistol. However, when it comes to revolvers, yes the older percussion revolvers were quite a bit more common amongst the average man. Mostly because they were cheap and ammunition was significantly more plentiful. If you happen upon a store while out riding it's unlikely that they'd have the specific metallic cartridges you might need unless it was a particularly popular load. While you could almost garuntee any shop would have basic powder, percussion caps and lead (either in bars or .36 /.44 caliber balls). Carrying a small cast mold was pretty simple for casting your own balls or conical bullets, and there were only 3 or 4 common sizes between both rifle and pistol (.36 & .44 for most pistols, .50 and .54 for rifles) Gunslingers were somewhat unique in usually wanting to carry/use the newest innovations. So while Schofields and SAAs are often seen amongst those sort, they didn't catch on anywhere near as fast with commoners (mainly due to higher cost and ammo concerns).

[@Gameprojordan]

Pepper boxes were oldschool. I'd say they hit their peak in relevance during the american Civil War era. They required you to load powder and ball into each chamber on the cylinder. Early deringers worked the same way but later ones were loaded with metal cartridges, meaning they were way more efficient to load and fire, making the old pepper boxes obsolete

[@MegaJman143]

8:29 Bite, pour, spit, tamp What makes a good soldier

[@mikepj67]

I have a #4 mark 1 lee enfield from 1944 not certain how it arrived here unless it was a bring back after the war doesn’t have import markings. It was gifted to me 8 years ago by a fellow I worked with.

[@sagasfromthesea4676]

What a great thing to have. Maybe take it along to Royal Armouries? They might be able to identify marks etc. Or send them photos.

[@grantharriman284]

As an American the phrase "purpose built firing range" is hilarious. We basically just put a target in front of a decent size hill or even just a mound of dirt in a more or less empty area and have at it. We only build firing ranges like that if we don't want to leave the city and still want to shoot.

[@dayontapout]

I genuinely really enjoy these videos. I live in the USA and haven't had the opportunity to fire most, if not all, of these weapons. Seeing the genuine enjoyment had by all makes these videos. The fun of marksmanship challenges crosses ponds.

[@buhrdt]

Oh man, the sound levels on this are all over the place. I jumped out of my seat.