What is this Weapon? Christmas Cracker, with firearms experts Jonathan Ferguson and Ian McCollum

Sit down with two of the world's foremost firearms experts this Christmas as we bring you a What is this Weapon? Christmas Special like no other, as Jonathan pulls crackers with friend of the museum, Ian McCollum from Forgotten Weapons.
You can watch the full, unabridged version at History of Weapons of War: www.weaponsandwar.tv/most-rec...
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From all the team here at the Royal Armouries, we'd like to thank all of our subscribers for a phenomenal 2023. We've got big plans in 2024 and can't wait to share them with you. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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[@schublade4]

The collaboration between Ian and Jonathan truly is a nice Christmas present.

[@skeven0]

Only thing that could get it even better, if Othias and Mae from C&Rsenal made a cameo in this

[@RoyalArmouries]

We'll see what we can do for 2024@@skeven0

[@a.k47-74]

​@@RoyalArmouries Yes!! ❤

[@toomanybrews7123]

It's my favorite team-up of all time. Just two guys who love the mechanics and history of firearms to the degree that they've made it their careers. There are few things more wholesome than a couple of nerds getting together to nerd out about their area of interest. Happy holidays, everyone!

[@timbob1145]

Couldn't agree more, cheers

[@Getpojke]

Ian: "Can guns be art?" Kate Winslet to Ian: "Draw me like one of your French guns."

[@bobdrooples]

Art should make you FEEL something. You really feel arterial bleeding.

[@jairhiodalthor4137]

Bewtyfool joke

[@Getpojke]

@@jairhiodalthor4137 Sorry, I'm too old to understand that one, even looking it up passes over my head.

[@RoyalArmouries]

👏

[@T4gProd]

Jeremy Clarckson had a take on this about cars and the Alfa Romeo 8C. Art is supposed to be just art and completely useless in anything else. He argued, that the car is so bad, but so spectacular looking, that it has to be art.

[@creanero]

"It's in a shiny white carapace, but the gun inside is an M-2." I think nothing exemplifies the modern plateau of firearms technology quite like an AI-capable robot carrying a century-old gun.

[@outis7080]

To be fair, the M2 is the M2. We'd probably be using them until we stop using bullets altogether. And even then, someone may decide to convert them to fire lasers or whatever they end up using the future.

[@kilianortmann9979]

The Emperor protects.

[@Cookynator]

Personally, I'm pretty sure the M2 will go on in service to the eventual heat-death of the universe. Einstein said he thought WW4 would be fought with sticks and stones, but I find it hard to believe that an M2 Browning wouldn't still be knocking around there somewhere. Equally, the most believable part of Warhammer 40k for me is that in the grim-dark future of the 41st millenium, humanity has yet to find a better weapon to put on the pintle mount of a tank than the M2 Browning (aka the heavy stubber)

[@FakeSchrodingersCat]

@@Cookynator If nothing else the M2 barrel would make a decent club for WW4 even after all the bullets run out in WW3.

[@StainlessPot]

Browning has truly figured out the pure essence of gun.

[@sproutpits]

Burt Gummer from Tremors has to be the best movie character for gun handling. At one point, he hands a kid an empty revolver to shut him up, and when the kid realizes it's empty and hands it back, Burt then double-checks if the gun is empty. This had to be something the actor (Michael Gross) brought to the table, because I can't imagine the script or director being such sticklers.

[@Justanotherconsumer]

He did neglect hearing protection for the Rec room scene, though. Which doesn’t matter because it’s hilarious and it’s a movie, but… realism.

[@WJS774]

@@Justanotherconsumer When something is trying to eat you, you don't have time to put hearing protection on. Though that concrete room would definitely be worse than having to shoot a bear in the woods or a coyote in open desert.

[@ALovelyBunchOfDragonballz]

​@@Justanotherconsumerneglect hearing protection or prioritize living?

[@TheRyanDude]

I would say Alec Baldwin

[@fakjbf3129]

I love the Burt straddles the line between so paranoid he should never be trusted with a personal arsenal but also so paranoid that he’s the perfect person to have one.

[@un1d]

Unparalleled collaboration between the only two youtube gun guys who aren’t weird about it

[@TherapyGel]

That's the best way I've seen someone describe it lmao

[@whiskeytuesday]

James and Hop aren't thaaattt weird...

[@ledocteurgonzo]

Kentucky ballistic ? what the others guys again ? 😅

[@SirAroace]

Gun Nerd (them) vs Gun Nut (crazies)

[@SidIcarus]

@@ledocteurgonzo Weird

[@carlettoburacco9235]

A Brit and an American, a pint, Gin, books, guns...... and a ton of deep geekiness: what could go wrong? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! Magnificent.

[@faeembrugh]

Given their surnames, I am slightly disappointed they're not drinking whisky.

[@spectral5939]

'A Brit and an American - A Pint, Gin, Books and Guns.' Sound like the title for a book.

[@daegnaxqelil2733]

not any british and american gun expert , please

[@Minotaur-ey2lg]

I don’t know. Last time this happened Europe was looking rough.

[@therogers4432]

This is *THE* most civilised gun video in the entire history of youtube, and I thank Jonathon and Ian for making it because I really needed a calm, gently humourous and mutually respectful almost-37mins of intelligent conversation between two absolute legends at the very top of their game to ease me gently into Boxing-Day after the chaos of a family Christmas, so thanks guys 😊👍

[@B3RyL]

I have to point out that there is one movie where someone fires a minigun from the hip in a believable way. And that is Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2. But not because it's Arnold firing the minigun. It's because he's the Terminator. A Terminator is basically a walking weapons platform. When standing still, like in the movie, it's a 600-pound gun turret with built in actuators and recoil dampening mechanisms, so the Terminator firing a minigun is definitely within the realm of believability. So points to James Cameron for firearms accuracy, in a roundabout way, I guess ;)

[@jonevansauthor]

Fair about him being a Terminator, but IIRC in the scene the bullets all hit where he wants and he's been ordered not to kill anyone so he blows up all those cars which errr... no.

[@OverwatchSniper]

In AvP1 (the old pc game) when you fire the mini gun it has massive recoil if you try moving while firing

[@Ylyrra]

@@jonevansauthor Film is pretty clear that he's deliberately aiming very slowly and obviously: he isn't being accurate, he's giving people time to realise where the danger zone is and to run away. He's not avoiding killing anyone because he's "that good", it's because he's telegraphing "don't be near here".

[@timbirch4999]

Loving the super serious debate about the Terminator films! 🤣

[@wolfgangrecordings]

if we're talking believability rather than accuracy of use, because they're different things, then i'd argue that blaine's "ol' painless" minigun in predator also works (first time it was done?). he's a hulking badass so it's fitting that his weapon of choice is also a hulking badass, and in the hyper-macho (and yes, completely recoilless) universe of the film it doesn't even seem particularly over the top. hell, even mac uses it after blaine gets killed, with no issues whatsoever. at no point have i watched predator and thought the minigun was too much. also worth mentioning is that in t2 that minigun is in sarah's cache of weapons in mexico, unmounted, meaning in jim cameron's mind a human could indeed fire one from the hip

[@MajesticDemonLord]

This is clear and objective proof that the Firearms community must have been really good this year to get such an awesome present from Santa.

[@heccsclips3319]

oh we have been VERY good especially in the US getting to keep many of our gun rights

[@sjs9698]

@@heccsclips3319 uuuuh, whut?! maybe try to *not* have more mass shootings than most active warzones next year?

[@mcinteer19]

Two of my favorite gentlemen having a lovely discussion and fun with Christmas cracker! As for the extent that design has influenced military adoption choices, I give you the 1950’s and US Army Ordnance. They refused to consider any cartridge that wasn’t .30 caliber. They stacked the deck against the FAL in trials. They were against anything that didn’t look like what they knew as a rifle.

[@slavikcc]

I was hoping Jonathan would do a 30 minute review of a Christmas Cracker whilst showing trigger discipline, but a 36 minute discussion with Ian of Forgotten Weapon works just as well. :D

[@jic1]

Is "trigger discipline" with a Christmas cracker not holding both ends at the same time?

[@Verchiel_]

When i first saw the video i thought it'd be just that. Not disappointed still

[@slavikcc]

@@jic1 That's quite a very pertinent question that I'm sure Jonathan can surely answer.

[@amhaglos]

@@jic1 It's where you push instead of pull.

[@timbob1145]

​@@jic1or just holding the middle?

[@jaggoff6949]

The crossover we were all waiting for!

[@Pigness7]

I mean theyve done videos together on the forgotten weapons channel years ago

[@njones420]

@@Pigness7 and a book or two :)

[@timbob1145]

​@@Pigness7yeh but I for one am always waiting for more. These two should defo star in a Simon Pegg and Nick Frost film... I've mentioned this before, but I'll say it again and wait patiently.

[@MeatVision]

Thank god Ian's glass is ambidextrous

[@habu027]

Yes😂!

[@kevinkearney902]

This needs to become a yearly tradition I love these two interacting

[@Fulgrim2]

That Tiffany revolver looks like a legendary drop from a game.

[@low-polyhexagonalrat]

Literally it looks like a skin for Battlefield 1 or smth

[@michellelehky2374]

DLC only item.

[@kimjanek646]

@@michellelehky2374pre-order Bonus 😂😂

[@SHADOWFRENZY92]

It is not nearly ugly enough for that.

[@TheDeadmandillon]

That '89 Tiffany Revolver was by far THE definition of an artistic firearm. Gucci damn sure ain't gonna top that ever.

[@jimsvideos7201]

Also, Ian's left-handed cycling of a right-handed bolt is performance art. If you haven't seen it, go look.

[@terry7907]

You must not have seen many left handed shooters using a bolt action rifle.

[@paulmurgatroyd6372]

@@terry7907 As a lefty I feel that most of us would rather forget the experience... 😆

[@conorjohn490]

As a righty who's operated a truly beater car it's much like getting into said car by reaching through the window and using the interior door latch.

[@madisbacks1945]

Ghasp! As a German, how can you not consider this overwhelmingly beautiful language a vessel of heart-wringing romantic poetry?! The old lords of sturm und drang are rotating in their graves as we speak. Just you wait until I have the technical language and writing skills to prove you wrong.

[@muadddib]

Calling german the most unromantic language in a world where d*tch exists broke my heart

[@woliveiraxs]

Man, this has been so much fun! Merry Christmas everyone! :D

[@RoyalArmouries]

Merry Christmas to you too ❤️

[@GT-wo2oj]

The key to winning a Christmas cracker: not pulling. If you don’t pull and just let your opponent pull, you’ll win 90% of the time.

[@RoyalArmouries]

We're only in the comments for the Christmas cracker advice.

[@nathandc]

I now really want this to be a Christmas tradition going forward as this is awesome!!

[@thethesaxman23]

I second this!

[@RoyalArmouries]

We'll see what we can do

[@Irskin]

Thirded. This made my morning.

[@j.murphy4884]

Make it so @@RoyalArmouries

[@Kinsect101]

Maybe with a diffrent guess every time?

[@driftertank]

In regards to the realistic firearms handling in the movies, particularly "Heat": A friend of mine was in the USMC when the movie was released, and they had a viewing in the barracks. Apparently during the scene when Val Kilmer is suppressing the police, when he goes to cover and does a textbook rapid reload, my friend's Gunnery Sergeant paused the film and something to the effect of, "You see that? THAT is how I want to see you [fine gentlemen] reloading!"

[@bostonrailfan2427]

technical advisor for that scene was Sgt. Andy Mcnabb, an ex-SAS soldier. Val was a heavy method acting fanatic so would have learned how to do it right…it showed

[@sierracharlie1272]

Heat and Collateral. Vincent (played by Tom Cruise) was Wick before John Wick.

[@Gramstaal]

@@sierracharlie1272 Those are definitely the two that came to my mind as well.

[@UnknownOps]

I wonder if the movie John Wick is doing the same thing HEAT did back in the day, with the tactical reloads, weapon transitions, and stuff.

[@Cats-TM]

I finally decided to watch Heat after the mentioning in this video and, wow, as someone who has never fired a gun before, the usage is bloody accurate. Like, it is so well thought out. Love the fact tha the police only use single shots during the shootout so as not to harm the civilians and the fact people wait to take shots just a moment so as to get a correct sight picture. Such small details that add so much to the film. Occsionally the police were not using proper trigger discipline when they should have been but that is peanuts. And could be explaned by the stress of the situation.

[@bigjimmyshits6673]

Rare to find someone who is so knowledgeable on a subject whilst also having the charisma and public speaking skills to verbalise that knowledge so well. Here we have 2 of them. Could watch this all day, great stuff.

[@therogers4432]

Yup... ^THIS^ 😁👍

[@nomad_boreal]

Seeing Jonathan and Ian in the same room together was a gift unto itself. Merry Christmas 🎄🍻

[@Mike-cp7sj]

The Luty should be an example of a designer work of art, since it shows that even someone with an access to Home Depot can make a firearm. Also aesthetics are really important to a firearm, I was told that engravings usually add a +2 to accuracy and reload speed 😄

[@thethesaxman23]

I’d like to see Johnathan and Ian have a discussion on Elbonian arms!!

[@kepanoid]

I didn't know that I need to see this!

[@davidbrennan660]

Having them competing for the contracts and attempting to undermine the others product would be interesting.

[@davidbrennan660]

Ian “tilting “ on the last question ..... the American abroad or anyone not Japanese in Japan. His answer is correct.

[@thethesaxman23]

@@davidbrennan660 I’m liking this idea even more!

[@pickeljarsforhillary102]

All I want for Christmas is 1 day unlimited access to the Royal Armouries collection.

[@RoyalArmouries]

How will we fit it all under the tree?

[@Fulgrim2]

Very carefully.

[@pickeljarsforhillary102]

@@RoyalArmouries It's a very big tree

[@Trenaime]

under a sequoia@@pickeljarsforhillary102

[@P3x310]

Put the tree on the roof of the museum?

[@Rashed1255]

2 legends in the same room, a rare moment.

[@malusignatius]

Speaking of silly stuff with miniguns, I remember seeing the out-takes for Soldier (1998). There's a scene where Kurt Russel's character rises out of the water and hoses down a bunch of bad guys with a minigun. During one of the takes the recoil makes Kurt slip on something underwater and instead of 'hosing down baddies' he falls back into the water, the minigun arcing up into the sky as both gun and actor disappear under the water.

[@MrMarkZachary]

Considering Ians love of hats, slightly surprised he didn't wear a christmas one.

[@Getpojke]

Should've put on one of the paper crowns from the crackers. 👑

[@Mr_T_Badger]

@@Getpojkeagreed, I’d have paid good money to see Johnathan and Ian wearing those silly paper crowns.

[@Getpojke]

@@Mr_T_Badger Yeah & I thought Ian would've taken the hairband Jonathan got in his cracker.

[@P3x310]

He is wearing a Christmas hat in the thumbnail, though.

[@LDSG_A_Team]

I could easily have continued watching this for an additional 3 hours. Please do more of this! Make it a yearly thing or something!

[@RoyalArmouries]

We'll try!

[@LDSG_A_Team]

@@RoyalArmouries WOOHOO

[@therogers4432]

Yup... ^THIS^ 😁

[@Sean-ot4zq]

For the Gatling/Minigun thing in movies you are 100% correct with the only thing being plausible is when it's something like Terminator 2 because the T-800 has literal hydraulic powered arms

[@8bvg300]

Well done boys, you answered the most important question of all and a massive boost in respect for Ian! JAM FIRST for EXACTLY those reasons. You can tell he's a man of logic and detail 🤛

[@Stevenwave-]

I like how he answered in more than a "it feels wrong" kinda way. He had a scone engineering answer.

[@fabiogalletti8616]

@@Stevenwave- Indeed, it's an argumented hands-on deciption of the mechanics of a cream/jam object.

[@ianray8823]

THE EPISODE WE NEEDED GUN JESUS AND JONATHAN THE BAPTIST

[@danstotland6386]

Sacrilegious, but well said!

[@kolega4ever]

Well, just came to say that I had a bad day and Jonathan, the saint of British Bullpups, and Gun Jesus as always managed to get my mood better. I love seeing both of you discussing

[@RoyalArmouries]

Glad you're doing a little better and hope you're ok

[@kolega4ever]

@@RoyalArmouries thank You kindly! Happy Christmas and maybe (likely!) see you next year at the Museum!

[@timbob1145]

Here here 👌

[@xnopyt13]

10:03 I think the craziest round detonation is probably where someone’s ejected 9mm case bounced off of the wall and hit another 9mm on the table at the perfect angle, detonating the round. They got it on video iirc.

[@davidreddington4381]

This collab is the pinnacle of perfection! We need this more often.

[@9HoleReviews]

this was really fun to watch! 🎄 Merry Christmas to all!

[@ALovelyBunchOfDragonballz]

It warms my heart to see much respected firearms enthusiasts watching others in their field. Merry Christmas guys.

[@K_FI_L_Y_P_S_O]

More collabs with Ian from Forgotten Weapons please!

[@RoyalArmouries]

We hear you

[@Kefuddle]

Oh dear Stumgewhr, How I am glad you are here. As I write this at the front in this glorious fracture font. Ending the next bout with your staccato shout. But oh my, you are hungry for lead from that steel box from which you are fed. And though my shoulder does ache, what a fearsome pair we make.

[@ostsan8598]

I really dig Jonathan's shirt. He'd definitely survive a zombie apocalypse. Pretty certain Come and See used live ammo when shooting over the actors. I wouldn't be surprised if the foregrips of the EM-2 and AR-15 weren't designed to be aesthetically pleasing. I'd like to see a review of the "viking atgeir" that Ian and Jackson made.

[@davekennedy6315]

One of the firearm/tactics advisers brought on for Heat was ex SAS i believe. In an interview he talked about one tactic actually seen in the film towards the end where De Niro is after the bad guy that executed the cash in transit guard (resulting in the team having to kill the other guard as a witness) De Niro has traced the scumbag to a hotel that hes staying at and goes and kills him. The police are alerted and Pacino (i think?) actually comes up behind De Niro pointing a gun at him and asks him to turn around and face him. Instead De Niro backs into him so Pacino can`t shoot as he can`t ID the guy in front of him, De Niro then spins round at the last second knocking the gun away and escaping. The SAS advisor explained that this backing up was an IRA tactic they successfully used over the years to escape as the soldier can`t be sure the person in front of him is the target until he sees their face. This backing up causes hesitation and allows the target to get close to the soldier, so they can then spin round most likely with gun in hand.

[@jonathanferguson1211]

That's right, it was Andy McNab.

[@davidspence5567]

Sssh Steven Mitchell 😉

[@jonathanferguson1211]

You'll be telling me next that "SAS" doesn't stand for "Special Army Soldiers".@@davidspence5567

[@andrew6978]

I've read that Val Kilmer's mag change time was used as a benchmark for some US personnel somewhere, God knows how true that is.

[@ash00sufc]

It wasn’t Pacino but yes great moment, glad Waingro got his commupence, absolute creep

[@danieljob3184]

My pick for the gun acting Oscar would be Robert Patrick. In T2 prep he trained himself not to flinch or blink while firing because his character (T-1000) would not do that. Awesome performance! 😲

[@jonathanferguson1211]

Absolutely. Unlike poor Arnie who never trained out his flinch. That run as well.

[@ItsPassing]

I know everyone else is just gushing but truly a warming gift from two lovley people

[@Trevor_Austin]

Here’s a weird bit of info. When I used to fly for a living we could carry 5kgs of ammunition per passenger as hold baggage, no dangerous goods paperwork required. We just needed to be told. That meant we could legally carry a total of 500 kgs of ammunition. The most complicated firearm in terms of paperwork and police involvement was a handgun, kept in secure container, for the Royal Armouries that we flew into Leeds Bradford.

[@Getpojke]

Talking about handling guns in movies. I remember reading an interview with an older time firearms prop master from Hollywood. He said that of all the actors he dealt with only maybe two wouldn't either flinch or most annoyingly blink when firing a weapon. He thought the greatest at it was Clint Eastwood. So it seems that "Magnum Flinch" didn't get to Dirty Harry even with his Model 29 revolver 44 Magnum.

[@RoyalArmouries]

I wrote this question and was thinking the boys would say Eastwood. Think we must have read the same interview.

[@Getpojke]

@@RoyalArmouries We must have. 😁 Though I have a tradition of watching a war movie every Christmas day. In "Where Eagles Dare" (1968), where Lieutenant Schaffer/Clint is dual wielding MP40's during the "Broadsword calling Danny Boy" scene he does get a bit blinky when letting loose. Then again he's in a confined space & there must've been a fair bit of back blast. Sorry for being geeky, I've watched it many, many times.

[@Herbstmann]

I would absolutely love a podcast series with these two! Happy Christmas Ian, Jonathan & everyone else at the Royal Armouries!

[@RoyalArmouries]

We'll look into it

[@vipeyv2280]

let's gooooo@@RoyalArmouries

[@Herbstmann]

@@RoyalArmouries Exciting, thank you!

[@thekrackenthree5380]

I could listen to these two for 6+ hours.

[@0xA9F]

Somebody will defintely send you a "Liebesbrief an das Sturmgewehr"

[@michaookami4113]

The two best Guys We have in this Expertise

[@1248dl]

The actor that might have the most practical experience and made statements about gun handling, Audie Murphy. Bob Stack was a rated skeet shooter, too.

[@donjones4719]

The Audie Murphy choice can't be beat. I salute you.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

Lee Marvin, James Doohan, Charles Durning, R. Lee Ermey, Michael Caine, Christopher Lee just to name a few who served in combat, three were even wounded in combat…Stack might have been a skeet shooter, but those guys shot Enfield, M1, M14, and other guns while under fire

[@audacity60]

The aesthetics question. I would nominate the Nazi replacement for the Luger. They insisted on an exposed barrel, so they chose the Walther P38, rather than a Browning style with the spring & slide enclosing the barrel.

[@jpisback]

An oil painting of these two sitting.here discussing guns would be art worthy of a museum.

[@wavecreatures]

On aesthetics I wanted to interject on a great video Ian did on the Whitney Wolverine. That Atompunk swooping Space age pew pew belied it’s .22 calibre in my humble opinion.

[@Govanmauler]

I was listening to this and threw up the horns to Jonathans answer , i turned my head and hes doing it back 😂

[@RoyalArmouries]

🤘🤘🤘

[@umusuuk]

as someone who doesn't know guns by name like that, would have liked if the editor would have inserted pictures of various models mentioned in the conversation. especially in the section about gun aesthetics.

[@meme__salad]

10:14 I actually had a similar experience at the range. My brother and one of our friends were out shooting with me when my brother stepped on a 9mm round he had dropped earlier, and the primer got pressed into the gravel and detonated. He didn't get injured because the case just blew apart but needless to say it was a bit of a shock lol

[@KevinRibelMusic]

This is the Internet we deserve and the Internet we want!

[@CornishMoose]

I knew Ian was a man of good taste, even before he said he'd put the jam on first 😂

[@AleksWorkshop]

The collaboration we didn't know we CRAVED

[@crusaderanimation6967]

0:23 This has "I Tip My Hat to You. One Legend to Another" vibe

[@snideaugustine2143]

This is absolutely increadible. Loved this discussion and the game! Merry Christmas lads! EDIT: Jam and then Cream. FFS

[@RoyalArmouries]

Merry Christmas! 🎄

[@lapmate92]

Can you guys please start a regular conversation-/podcast-format? I could listen to these conversations for hours.🙏

[@RoyalArmouries]

We'll look into it

[@Mysterious-Stranger]

What a pleasant surprise! This was great. Would love to see these guys collaborate again.

[@BornofIron]

You know that fuzzy feeling you had as a child when the house is calm, the light background noise of a stop-motion holiday flick echos around, the warm smell of freshly baked cookies fill your soul and there's not a single care in the world because your winter holiday is finally kicking off? Well this isn't that, but there is a fuzzy feeling of spiked egg nog and THE surprise of the year on my home page and there are just some things that are just as merry as an adult. This deserves only the best right-before-I-sleep viewership, cheers to you both!

[@matthewgallagher8491]

Gun Jesus is in a mod for Fallout 4

[@Swisba]

the Christmas gift I didn't ask for but I'm happy to get

[@Zastava]

Benicio del Toro in Way of the Gun. He naturally cleared a stovepipe on his shotgun and it was so smooth. Overall the movie was 90s tactics with cool shit thrown in, but that stovepipe scene was amazing.

[@bruceinoz8002]

A "retrospective" with John Moses Browning would be educational. From refining crude early lever-actions 1887 shotgun to the 1897, the A5 ' Rem-11, the M2, 1903, 1911, BAR, in just over forty years. Interesting to see some of his "toolroom" prototypes, including the "rejects" in various museums, including the 'rejects". As for "art" in design and construction, the classic C-96 Mauser is a serious contender. And to all; a safe and great Christmas, or whatever your "festival" is.

[@vanvino4074]

This colab got my thumbs up before I even clicked play.

[@RoyalArmouries]

[@michaelw2263]

The crossover we don't deserve!

[@RoyalArmouries]

Oh you definitely do

[@bruceabbott3941]

Firearm as art- my dad's Savage model 99A, built in 1921, beautiful both in form and function...

[@stephenphilips7606]

Literally my two favorite REASONABLE "GunTubers"

[@roygardiner2229]

Even as one who is not a gun enthusiast I can certainly appreciate the aesthetics of guns. Some look just elegant, balanced, something that could almost be a fashion accessory. That was an interesting account of a dropped round igniting, particularly Ian's explanation that it was the case rather than the bullet that "flew". I suppose that follows from Newton's Second Law of Motion or Conservation of Momentum.

[@mouldy9466]

Honestly the fact that it's even being discussed to openly here is refreshing to see, it's nice to finally talk about an aspect of firearms that goes without discussion because "it doesn't matter how it looks, just that it works!", even though looks definitely to matter and make an undeniable impact

[@c1ph3rpunk]

This was truly excellent, but May I add a request for next year? Add Chieftain and Bloke in please. Q: “if you could design a muzzle loading tank canon, how would you go about it”

[@RoyalArmouries]

We'll see what we can do

[@nerd1000ify]

Your Q is easy to answer, the Churchill AVRE tank did have a muzzle loading gun (technically a mortar). The weapon in question fired a very large cylindrical explosive bomb, nicknamed the flying dustbin. Reloading was done by traversing the turret so the muzzle of the gun was over the bow gunner's hatch, he could then open the hatch, reach up and shove a round into the barrel without exposing his entire body. Obviously very awkward, but it was a dedicated bunker busting weapon so a rapid rate of fire wasn't a priority. With a longer gun we could mount the turret at the rear, and lower the gun into a recess in the front of the tank for loading.

[@nerd1000ify]

Following up, I got this wrong- the AVRE gun actually folds in the middle so the shell can be loaded vertically through the hatch. So I suppose it's the world's only break action tank.

[@gflo2781]

I do watch a good bit of firearms stuff, but Jonathan and Ian's videos just have a certain amount of chill and expertise about them that I appreciate more than the crazy stuff. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this pop up today, great watch, just wish it was longer! Looking forward to more of these collaborations!

[@RoyalArmouries]

You can watch the full, unabridged version at History of Weapons of War: www.weaponsandwar.tv/most-rec... Use the code XMAS23 for 20% off an annual subscription.

[@j.robertsergertson4513]

My Dearest Bren Ten I've love you for decades ! I was told you were fragile and unreliable but you've never failed me even after thousands of rounds , you're my faithful companion and partner. You ask so little and give so much joy and security I know we will have many more years together I love you .

[@Hailnolah]

Bravo sir. Bravo. A true poetical romance story.

[@Hailnolah]

Dear SA80, you looked amazing when you were new, futuristic and cool. Despite what people thought, you didn't copy the EM2. We had such high hopes for a new British gun, and you went to all our troops, but straight away you showed your true nature, and everyone said "oops" What a bitch you turned out to be, you broke our soldiers hearts, if it was hot or cold, sandy wet or dry, they'd have been better off throwing farts. When you refused to work (almost every day) they couldn't even use you to beat the enemy away. Your fragile plastic body, your wandering point of aim, no wonder you top the lists in the shit guns hall of fame. To add a final insult, to this tale of woe, it took the Germans to fix you, our historic wartime foe.

[@tomas.8711]

A wonderful holiday treat from two knowledgeable and cultured gentlemen. Highly enjoyable; I wish I had been there. Merry Christmas to you, Ian and Johnathan!

[@RoyalArmouries]

Was a treat make this with them - equally top guys on and off camera.

[@jonathanferguson1211]

And to you!

[@Cryfield1999]

Really, really enjoyed this! Great work from everyone involved. It's great to see you two come together in such a laid back, fun way. Would love to see more of these collabs in the future!

[@brendanliamgill99]

How about this as an example of old guns being art. in my opinion is seeing the machining residue like seeing the areas that were cut on a milling machining or seeing the lathe work on the round parts like screws and firing pins. To me its art because the amount of skill it takes to operate the old machine's to consistently make that same part over and over again. To me its like looking into the past in a way you are looking at the work that someone did a century ago. I find it neat.

[@dhoffnun]

Ey, the two most wholesome dudes in all of gun youtube together at last - I'm here for it.

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

Beer and gin: check. Guns: check. All you need are a couple of cigars, and this could be The Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Channel! Merry Christmas!

[@donjones4719]

Alcohol and guns don't mix, but alcohol and *talking* about guns can mix very well.

[@Justanotherconsumer]

They have the crackers, so I guess Explosives is also a check.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

as long as they keep the explosives to sparklers or fire crackers

[@edd1682]

not even watched yet just had to say Jonathan and Ian together is something we all love

[@mpersad]

What a delight to watch, I could listen to these two gentlemen discussing their mutual passion for firearms all day! A real treat for Christmas. Well done to all involved with this video.

[@a3vus]

So sad HEAT wasn't brought up in the accuracy discussion! Edit: I have been politely corrected, ty Jonathan!

[@jonathanferguson1211]

Er, it was! 15:43

[@a3vus]

@@jonathanferguson1211 wow, can't believe I missed that! Ty! I got LASIK so I could shoot better, clearly I need to buy better ear pro now.

[@sherky7207]

Incredible video, love the dynamic between these two legends! Please make this a yearly thing!

[@RoyalArmouries]

We'll do our best

[@davithmorrisey9980]

Thank you for hosting, Jonathan and RA. Ian is such a GENTLEMAN. You are both great educators.

[@barrydavies998]

The best Christmas KZbin video I have seen so far from these two ... Absolute pleasure to view ...Thank you both

[@user-kr7yh8vw9m]

An amazing crossover that lived up to the hype, this is a Christmas miracle. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Ian and Jonathan🎁🎁🎄🕊🕊🎅🎅.

[@RoyalArmouries]

A Merry Christmas to you too 🎄

[@ADwOS]

Fantastic episode guys! I could listen to you both chatting all day!

[@RoyalArmouries]

Glad you liked it. There is an uncut version available here: www.weaponsandwar.tv/most-recent-uploads/videos/x-mas-special-final

[@ADwOS]

@@RoyalArmouries Best sales pitch imaginable. Subscribed!

[@duncasaur5074]

Two of the best minds in the firearms community coming together in one video is truly awesome what a great early Christmas present thank you Jonathan and Ian

[@6401gabriel]

On the guns as art, there are also the guns as wall mounted art. A friend of mine had a set of black powder pistols and long guns, plus some sabers hanging on top of the fireplace. It looked really good also because his house was a bit old.

[@ChaosPootato]

Jonathan choosing AC/DC as his go to song and showing horns up didn't surprise me one bit, somehow

[@peterfromaustria724]

The crossover of the century!!!!

[@DoubleActionStallion]

Amazing! Thank you for this, I enjoyed it so much. The knowledge between the two of you and the ability you both have to articulate that knowledge is such treat. We need more collaborations of Ian and Jon!

[@gljnjo]

A great present for Christmas Thank you Royal Armouries and Happy Christmas to all of you out there!

[@RoyalArmouries]

Merry Christmas to you too ❤️

[@Andyyy48]

13:30 i was thinking about he would say John Wayne, then i heard he said that and then i was confused about why there was John Wick clip😆

[@lurkndog]

Streamline Moderne? I think the 1927 Thompson A1 submachinegun is very 1930s modern in its lines, radiator fins and so forth.

[@Mukhambiel]

Seeing these guys together is awesome! Happy Holidays and best wishes from germany!

[@atfsux]

I think the best example of a design as art when it comes to guns is the Whitney Wolverine. It typifies the aspirations of the era in which it was designed, which was space-age and futuristic, which the Wolverine exudes.

[@jamesnelson416]

I need a good scone now