Thorneycroft: A Victorian Bullpup Rifle with Volley Sights
This video explores the Thorneycroft, a Victorian-era bullpup rifle prototype developed by James Baird Thorneycroft. Inspired by the Boer War, the design aimed to create a shorter rifle without sacrificing barrel length by moving the action and magazine behind the trigger. Prototypes were produced around 1901 and chambered for .303 British with a 5-round magazine. Despite being lighter and shorter than the standard Lee rifle, the British military ultimately rejected the concept in favor of a universal short rifle. The video highlights the innovative bullpup design and its historical context.












