This video features Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms & Artillery at the Royal Armouries, discussing the Curtis 1866 bullpup rifle. The Curtis 1866 is highlighted as potentially the first bullpup design, patented in the UK in 1866. It featured an innovative slide-action mechanism and drum magazine, with the trigger located at the muzzle and the firing components behind the user's back. The discussion also touches upon how Winchester discovered this patent in the 1890s while defending against patent infringement claims, and how an example of the Curtis gun was built in the Winchester tool shop for legal purposes, linking it to significant arms development history. The video promotes Jonathan Ferguson's new book, "Thorneycroft to SA80: British Bullpup Firearms 1901 - 2020," and encourages viewers to support its Kickstarter campaign.
This video delves into the mechanics of the blowback firearm action, explaining its fundamental principles based on Newton's Third Law. It describes how the forward momentum of the bullet is counteracted by the rearward movement of the bolt or slide, achieved through a balance of mass and velocity. The explanation highlights this as the simplest form of firearm action, also referred to as simple blowback.
This video explores two intriguing slide-action rifle prototypes from the same collection. The presenter highlights their relationship, with one appearing as an early toolroom prototype and the other as a refined pre-production example. Despite their apparent quality, the maker, origin, and time of production remain unknown due to a lack of markings or provenance. The presenter emphasizes their unique design and invites viewers to appreciate these interesting, albeit mysterious, firearms.
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