We Fired the Real Guns of the Old West
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- Опубліковано 16 чер 2024
- The real guns of the Old West are some of the most recognisable and iconic firearms from history. From the Colt Single Action Army to the Winchester 1873 rifle, the weapons that were once the choice of Wild West outlaws like Jesse James are familiar to a new generation of history fans through games like Red Dead Redemption.
History Hit presenters Louee Dessent and Luke Tomes head to the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds for a Wild West shootout. Joined by curator and firearms historian Jonathan Ferguson, they test their accuracy with three iconic Wild West guns: the Colt revolver, Winchester rifle and shotgun.
First up, they fire the Colt Navy 1861 and Colt SAA revolvers, six-shooters favoured by notorious outlaws like Jesse James as well as lawmen.
Next, it's the iconic Winchester 1873 repeating rifle, made famous by its rapid fire lever-action mechanism.
Finally, the competition is decided by the shotgun. Jonathan uses a sawn-off while Luke and Louee use a modern over-and-under.
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00:00 Introduction
02:15 Meeting Jonathan Ferguson
04:34 Wild West history
05:24 Wild West revolvers
08:44 Shooting the Colt SAA
10:20 Shooting the Colt Navy
15:38 Winchester rifle
18:37 Shooting the Winchester 1873
23:48 Wild West shotgun
27:28 Firing shotguns
29:38 Final scores
Sure, they might not have been all that common in history, but what's your favourite gunfight scene of all time from a Western movie? 🤔
Ok Corral from Tombstone. ua-cam.com/video/EpEkaGJnkAk/v-deo.html
"fill your hands you son of a bitch"
Closely followed by "I've killed women and children. I've killed everything that walks or crawls at one time or another. And I'm here to kill you, Little Bill, for what you done to Ned."
James Stewart v Lee Marvin in 'The Man Who Shot Liberty Vallance'.
I don't remember the titles, but the man hillariously called "Stink Weed"..... Face to face with a bully, slaps the man, instead of drawing his weapon, and as the bully THINKS of going 'hands on', 'Stink Weed' draws on him.....This goes on ,over again, totally confusing the bully, as he is slapped silly, and out drawn.
In 1923 a silent film called “wild Bill Hickok” was made staring William Hart. Wyatt Earp was a technical consultant on the film. Earp passed in 1929 in Los Angles and his funeral was attended by Hart and many other actors of that time.
In that film is a scene that supposedly took place in Cripple Creek Colorado. A saloon shooting that lasted about 40 seconds and saw three men killed. Less dramatic than later western movies it stands as one of the most realistic that exists in films. It is actually based upon a real shooting that occurred in 1869 in a saloon in Leadville Colorado. Leadville is a non-descript mining town and the shootists are largely unknown to history. But that fight is remembered for its quick and viscous shooting. I suggest that no modern Detroit street gang could stand against the dregs of Leadville.
Beyond that the final duel between Holliday and Brocias in Tombstone is quite accurate.
Fox out
Ooh! I see Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms and Artillery at the Royal Armouries Museum, I press like.
He might have registered this as his official full name by now.. Although he might want to add "youtube sensation" to that.
Whenever he is mentioned you must include his full title
@@tomfoolery597 That said: isn't the Musum the keeper of he firearms?
Jonathan is such a good sport for the cheesy interview questions. He clearly just wants to teach us about cool stuff.
It always tickles me that the range at this museum just looks like a large office. There's just paperwork being done next door and they're annoyed like, "Jonathan is shooting AGAIN."
Almos spilt my tea, that git! Blimey...
Or he could be shooting his name into the wall like Sherlock Holmes 211 Baker Street. We need to see mrs. Hudson come into the door saying what's going on here what what
The misadventures with the cap-and-ball revolver and the lever-action rifle reminded me of something I heard both in my time in the Canadian Armed Forces and as a competitive practical shooter: "The two loudest sounds in the world are something going bang with it should go click, and something going click when it should go bang".
A phrase passed on many times is ‘ the loudest thing you will ever hear in a gunfight is “ CLICK “.
An unfortunate version "the loudest bang is the sound of an empty gun going off" - associated with all the gun accidents when people thought a gun was empty, but it was clearly not
What a gem Jonathan is to all of us!
Indeed. It was also great to see Jonathan being able to enjoy some trigger time on the range.
Would love to have his job
The two he has with him are a pair of dorks . The blond one is a clumsy oaf too. Jammed his rifle because his crank was on the limp side. Probably played with himself too much .
Massive props to Jonathan for his range master skills, he always keeps his attention on the shooters, uses perfect protocol when loading, and handling misfires, and is a damn good shot when it comes down to it. I built and ran my unit pistol marksmanship range in the Army, and seeing Jonathan "do it right" is heartwarming.
He's a right professional all right.
I'm also a veteran and used to be a competitive practical shooter. Now, being comfortable around firearms, there's nothing wrong with that. But some RSO's, line coaches, instructors and match directors I've come across were too comfortable and were somewhat complacent about safety and handling.
Jonathan takes nothing for granted, which is very much a necessity with folk who aren't used to handling firearms; and even as an experienced gun handler myself, I could live with his protocols, up to and including placing the gun in my hands and taking it from me in the end.
And his wrists are iron.
It did hurt watching him shoot the sawed off.
And I watched him sweep the guy on his right multiple times in the first minutes.
I live in the United States, and I own an authentic Winchester model 1873 chambered in .38-40. My particular rifle was manufactured in 1893 and I still shoot it a couple times a year.
Because of the age, I have to use reduced power loads.
That said, it is an absolute joy to shoot.
It is plenty accurate. The recoil is exceptionally comfortable and it fits your body exceptionally well.
Almost 130 years later, the action is still butter smooth
The weapon is an absolute joy to operate. Oliver, Winchester, and his guys at the Winchester factory, did an excellent job in building these rifles. The overall bill quality is at least as good as any modern firearm. It’s just amazing what they did with the technology of the time.
My only complaint about the rifle is that finding ammunition is not easy. For such an old cartridge, there’s only a handful of manufacturers left in the United States, and it’s usually about $.80 per bullet, so this is not something that I take to the range and crank off 200 rounds day from.
Taking her out to the range, it’s like opening a bottle of fine wine. It’s expensive, you don’t do it often, but when you do, it’s something that you appreciate, you savor and it’s one hell of an experience.
I only fired my model 1873, 1879 production, after learning how to reload, and after I started playing with muzzle boarders about six years ago. I had been around that rifle for about fifty years and had had custody for twenty five. I have also have the period reloading tools. The first batch I cast up the 44WCF bullets and lubricated them with LEE Liquid ALOX. About 38 grains of FFg and the bullets seated nicely using the 1882 tool. The second batch I tried using the original bullet with a Red Dot smokeless load. FAILURE, I could push the bullet into the case without much effort. The original bullet does not have a crimp groove. By purchasing a new mold and cast up some of those the assembly worked out fine. I also used modern dies with the smokeless powder. I knew at some point I was going to need to learn to reload. I like shooting 25-20 I don’t like buying 25-20. The case wall thickness of 44WCF is such it is not super easy to reload. I suspect 38-40 to be about the same. I have not reloaded for 38-40 yet.
It has been fun to shoot, but it seems not to make the trip to the range as frequently as some of my other toys.
There are some good reloading videos out there. Some have been moved to Rumble.
As a competitive marksman living in Montana I find three British men having their own friendly cowboy shooting competition in a museum highly amusing.
Thanks for showing some iconic guns in action, and keep up the great videos as always.
Some of us can shoot properly over here I promise you 🤣
@@TheAegisClaw Oh definitely, the British trap shooting team is something to behold every Olympics and I personally know a couple of marksmen in the UK who are excellent rimfire shooters.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't chuckle a little bit at the groups these fellows were shooting, but we all have to start somewhere, and for firearms novices who didn't grow up around the stuff they were doing fine.
Agreed... made me smile.. Where I grew up we did some shooting about once a week up in the hills, and I'm a fan of SAA revolvers if you're in the back country. Great video guys.
I enjoy the shows. And nothing against Brits, BUT I can't recall seeing two more firearm,,,, ignorant? Non shooters? I'm in my 60s a US citizen. I grew up playing shooting games. Toy guns all the kids had them. Guess that's old time or american?
I do envy them having a job shooting.
It's a sacrilege to fire actual originals, they belong under glass or hanging over the fireplace. In Arizona where I'm from there's no problem finding new production versions of all of these. I have Ruger Vaquero, Henry 45-70, and Marlin 30-30.
Jonathan's smirk as Louie says "One good shot in a gunfight..." at 15:13 is just priceless, like a dad hearing his kids say something he's taught them XD
Ha! I saw that! 😆😝
Jonathan has really put the Royal Armouries on the map, what a great British servant he has been.
It is so good having Jonathon as he understands the questions everyone has and the presence in culture of the weapons and rather than talking down about them like so many experts do he raises them up. Such as with the Swan-off rather than saying something like it was unlikely to see one at the time the response was some manic would have done it. In the other media he has worked with it's also clear he understands audiences and why they like the weaponry. Also can't wait for the Martini-Henry.
Having once been something of a cowboy (grew up on a horse ranch, had cows, guns were tools as well as weapons) and got my first gun as a Christmas present when I was 13 years old - I find it fascinating to watch people unused to firearms handling them.
13 is a bit old, I was gifted a rifle when I was born. Started shooting at 3 or 4, started hunting by 6 years old. But I agree with your sentiment, it's funny watching how uncomfortable they are
Got my first firearm at 7 years old as a Christmas present! A Remington nylon 66 .22 caliber! Still have it!
yeah, it is fascinating how awkward and clueless these guys appear. I guess it is a case of being a subject and not a citizen.....
@@watchthe1369 Idk, i would be very careful handling an gun that i do not know and that is potential more worth than my assets compared.And if you are outside cities in england shotguns are not that uncommon.
I grew up in Africa during the MauMau period, Dad taught me to use a 303 Enfield and a Sten at age 7. In the Forces used Brens (nice) Enfield's in shooting team, could hit a man size target at 1,000 yards, SLR (nice).. Later Uzi's AK47, AR15, Kar98, Steyr bullpup, various pistols etc....
Nowadays if I mention that in UK I'm looked at as a Criminal. Not sure if its a Good or Bad thing that the only people now with Guns are armed Police (Lots of) , Military, and Gangsters ~ but no ordinary Citizens
The first compounds used in percussion caps was mercury fulminate, as described here. The downside to mercury fulminate is that it breaks down over age, so percussion caps were quickly supplemented with potassium chlorate. This was used without problens all the way up to the advent of smokeless powder-- then folks noticed something. Smokeless powder is not corrosive, but guns were getting corrosion despite that. The primer was the culprit, as the residue left behind after firing potassium chlorate is potassium _chloride_ which is a salt.
As a result, modern primers and percussion caps are non-corrosive thanks to the use of lead styphnate as the shock-sensitive priming compound.
Jonathan just seems like someone I would love to sit at the bar and have a beer with, just a genuine guy
Johnathan didn't hit the bullseye, BUT he had a decent grouping, which is key. Once you have that, you know you're aiming consistently. Then you just adjust you're aim to compensate.
True Jonathan didn't hit the bullseye. However he had a very good grouping showing he's doing things right. Give him a bit of practice and you'll see shots in the area of the bullseye
@ITILII I'm not a professional instructor or anything, but I have taught a few people to shoot. Step one was get a consistent group. About 10 minutes. Step two, now adjust your aim accordingly. I've had people who've never held a gun before consistently hitting targets on about a 1/2 hour. They're not going to win any contests, but they're definitely more interested in shooting after that!
@@ITILII he probably doesn't need practice because he very likely shoots guns regularly
Jonathan is like our gentle older brother in the gun nut community. May he live as much as the Queen and hope to see him when I visit the museum. Great video boys at History Hit
P.S As far as I am concerned, I think you should be annoying Jonathan every week for more videos like these
I appreciate how Jonathan emphasizes safe handling of the firearms.
I’ve enjoyed this series, thank you for putting it on.
I have a Model 94 Winchester Rifle and it's always everyone's favorite. My father left me it and I love it.
As an American with an interest in that era, I feel compelled to point out that the "Wild West" was MUCH lest wild than a present day weekend in, say, Chicago. And also, that firearms in those days had as much, if nor more, use in protecting people from various animals that might find humans threatening or, dare I say, tasty.
The furry creatures potential problem just generated a new purchase for one of my friends A nice shiny new stainless Ruger Mini 30 found a new home. He is in Idaho and took the standard twenty round magazine option. The 12 gage pump is awaiting a decision. When you move to twenty plus acres the tools required change. His wife really likes her 10-22 for killing rock Chucks that raise havoc at her mom’s house.
As a Range Safety Officer and competitive Cowboy Action Shooter (CAS), I enjoyed this video, with 'hats off' to Jonathan for his safety skills, muzzle discipline and especially misfire handling. We'd love to have you boys over here in 'the Colonies' for a real Cowboy Shoot where you could spend all day 'slingin' lead'! Just bring some Devonshire Cream with you.
Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms and Artillery at the Royal Armory Museum, is the new CEO of UA-cam. He's everywhere and I'm never unhappy to see him
Not sure if they are aware, but there was a "combat reload" for that Colt Navy. Under the barrel is a pin that is usually used to disassemble the gun, but you can pull that pin and swap the empty cylinder with a full cylinder pretty quickly, it does mean you have to carry spare loaded and primed cylinders, but they also had belts with cylinder pouches for that purpose. You pull off the barrel, drop the empty cylinder, drop the new one on, and replace the barrel and pin. Doesn't take much longer than dropping the empties and loading more rounds into the more modern revolver, really.
From Arizona, love watching Brits re-engage with firearm culture… Jonathan should be enshrined as a national treasure/ example of gun safety
Always a great video when Jonathan Ferguson is showing historic firearms
The OK Corral shootout in "Tombstone" was the most accurate portrayal based on research by 5 experts (pathologist, historians and crime scene investigators) and ALL the guns were historically correct. The final shootout in Open Range because the limited rounds fired (except one small scene) correctly reflected the actual load, by weapon used, the inaccuracy of many shots and the fact that not every shot resulted in a death (since many rounds weren't powerful enough in those days).
Not quite. Wyatt Earp was carrying a Smith & Wesson Model 3 in .44 American, not a Buntline Special as depicted in the film.
Loving the improvements on quality from 1080p to 4k. It makes these much more comfortable to watch on my desktop (where I usually watch these videos)
Wild Bill Hickok had a brace of Colt 1851 Navy cap and ball revolvers and he very meticulously reloaded them every morning, because he said that when he drew them he had to be sure.
I like how on the wanted signs, the boys didn't simply ROB the bank, they STOLE the bank 😆
It was great seeing the improvement of Luke's shooting stance from the musket to the shotgun!
Yes 4K Finally! Thank you for the awesome video quality and great content!
28:35 I respect how Jonathan stepped in when the host went a bit slack-armed in shock at the power of the shotgun.
I'm willing to bet there has never been a day Johnathan has woke up and said "I hate my job".
Watching 3 brits shooting Wild West guns is like watching 3 Americans doing Medieval Jousting, just so unnatural. Haha
I see you have been to a ren fair as well
Lol yes
The Wild West and the Medieval Period are two unique legendary times never to come again, hence the fascination with them, for just about everyone.
Even if the reality isn't quite like what film-makers would have us believe!
(There were more deaths by rattlesnake bite in the Old West than there ever were by gunshots!)
@@wayneantoniazzi2706 or the less glamorous STD.🤭
@@iffykidmn8170 Or being thrown from or kicked by horses! But I have to admit STD's never crossed my mind. Youch!
The things I appreciates about Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms and Artillery at the Royal Armouries Museum, is his calm demeanors and his range safeties.
Hi I love these videos, and learned something today. I was always used to looking at the iconic 1851 Colt Navy which was the unofficial, official side arm of the Confederate Army during the American Civi War and carried by many of its general officers and lines. My area of study is Robert E. Lee.
I didn't realise that Colt made an updated 1861 Navy which looks more than its bigger brother the 1860 Colt Army. Great job, I would love to visit Leeds Armoury one day.
In 1862, colt introduced two pocket models in .36 caliber on a similar frame of the 1849 colt. One, pocket navy with 51 barrel. The second, police pocket with a 60/61 barrel.
WE REALLY NEEDED A PART 2
Always loved the Schofield model Smith and Wesson Pistol. It looks so good
Hope you boys are back there again soon, fantastic video again!
Hello Ben
Always love to see Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms and Artillery at the Royal Armory Museum on the screen.
That was great I like these episodes with Jonathan
This is Jonathan Ferguson, keeper of firearms and artillery at the Royal Armouries museum in the UK which houses a collection of hundreds of antique firearms.
Just think - he gets paid to do that!
This reminds me of taking a group of adult ESL students to a shooting range for our unit on culture. No misfires but plenty of “teacher, what now?” and shots into the ceiling.
Shots into the ceiling? That seems like a failure on multiple levels, both on instruction, range safety etc.. like how does that happen? Don't get me wrong I can guess.. But now I genuinely want to know in this case lol.
With the Colt single action, the conventional loading technique is to bring hammer back to half-cock, open the cylinder gate, load one chamber, then skip the following chamber and load the remaining chambers. Then when you rotate and find a loaded chamber, you stop rotating, knowing the hammer rests on an empty chamber. This prevents an accidental discharge if the pistol is dropped.
Funnily enough, guns like the Winchester and Colt Revolvers were very popular in the British Empire for shooting enthusiasts. Colt even made a special target model of the Single Action Army named for the Bisley range where it was a favorite among the target shooters there.
Colt made colts in London for a time to boot.
One thing that was pointed out, having your hand behind the cylinder of a cap and ball revolver, is something that can't be overlooked. Having personally, experienced a chain fire, it is not something you want.
Ouch
@@dominic6634 thankfully I had all my fingers behind the cylinder. Still not fun. I'm still able to take my 51 navy repro out now and then.
My grandpa has his grandfather's original stagecoach double barrel shotguns. And still functions to this day.
I'm not sure how much effort y'all put into this, but your sound reproduction is absolutely fantastic here.. so many shooting channels are so terrified to let gunshots be loud, and it's usually incredibly disappointing, also a little counterproductive if you're trying to present a thing as something it's not when the sound is such an important part and how loud and sudden and powerful a gunshot is.. Good stuff! I like the little ear ring as well, Just just thinking in terms of what it was like for the folks shooting it back in the day.. and by then I mean before 2005 lol.. at least according to a bunch of the folks that I know who served.
Very nice group from the Curator there. The sight picture on these old SA guns is not the best for bullseye shooting but he did very good.
Another great video! Happy New Year!!
Side by side shotguns are fun to shoot but over and under any day for actual use. The Winchester though is absolutely iconic
I love that even though the guns don't sound super loud you can tell how loud they are because as soon as they start talking afterwards it sounds like they're whispering.
My dad bought a Colt Navy after the handgun ban came into effect in the UK (there was a loophole in the law that allowed the ownership of muzzle-loading handguns, the same loophole, I suspect, that is the "legal reasons" why only Jonathan was able to fire the SAA in the video), and yeah, that thing was _loud_
I like that they kept them loud for the video.. it's one of the things that bothers me the most about a lot of gun tube and just firearm documentaries in general.. guns are loud, really stupidly loud, especially pistols. It's part of what they are, and it's kind of a disservice to try and present them the way they do in so many modern video games and movies.
@@dungeonsanddobbers2683 yeah I was wondering about that, didn't realize that the legal restrictions would not even let you fire the weapon, even in a supervised controlled environment... I guess that kind of answers my question as to if there were shooting ranges where you could just sign up in England... Someone told me the other day it takes a couple years to get a hunting license, and months to get a fishing license so I guess that's that.
only in the UK is that stuff historical. I think I fired some variation of everyone of those by the time I was 14 years old, because they were in the collection of some friend, handed down from their grandfather or something. most were still being used for hunting. definitely the over under, or side by side shotguns. lots of friends out west still like the single action pistols for horseback riding. The lever action rifle has probably taken more game than anything in north America. all because they still just work and go bang.
Centrefire pistol calibre lever action rifles are now very popular in the UK, for 'gallery rifle' target shooting events. I'm also fairly sure serious UK hunters will mainly be using modern bolt action rifles, with optical sights.
Now that hardly any GB shooters are allowed to shoot ordinary centrefire handguns, muzzle loading revolvers are also popular in the UK.
No not only in the uk in almost all countries except the one with the most schools being shot up and people beliving that its not becuase they have more guns than people. I live in sweden and we have tons of shootings but only its only the people involved in gangs are being killed.
@@raylangivens7151 The UK is not anti-gun, else there wouldn't be over two million legal shooters. It's the lawmakers and politicians who are anti-gun.
What an interesting video, old weapons has always been a hobby of mine, firing actual ones must be a blast.
FREEDOM!!! one lot was tossed out about 250yrs ago about time for a repeat.
Always had a soft spot for lever guns, the T Rex 45-70 is a beautiful "modern" take. 1shotTV here on UA-cam has some great videos of his. Far as pistols, growing up watching Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns and Outlaw Josie Wales I've loved the old 1861 revolvers. With conversion cylinders they can go from black powder to modern cartridges pretty easily.
This video was very entertaining, and I’d just like to make a few suggestions to help with accuracy. I noticed when the trigger was pulled, it was a sharp pull and immediate release. Doing this has a tendency to throw your shots off. You want to squeeze very slowly, taking a deep breath before you pull. After the discharge, let your breath out and slowly release the trigger until it resets. I hope this helps with accuracy.
I actually learned about some of this from "Adam ruins everything". The part about guns having to be turned in to the sheriff before entering the town was interesting to me.
Love this channel!
I wonder how the sawn-off shotgun would compare with its predecessor, the blunderbuss. Both were short-range weapons; although the blunderbuss had a generally thicker barrel, and was often loaded with larger shot.
The famous cockney cowboys lmao, jokes aside always love to see Jonathon on the channel good vid
very fun to watch, thank you from Virginia!
The town I went to high school in actually ran Jesse James out of town, leading to the break-up of the James-Younger gang, with only Jesse and his brother escaping. It was mostly a losing game for him after that. Every year the town celebrates the ‘Defeat of Jesse James Days’ with re-enactments (horses and all, in the actual building and street it happened), fair food, a rodeo, live music, and carnival rides.
“Grab your guns, boys, they’re robbing the bank!”
Hi guys, how about a shoot out with German WW2 weapons, say the Stg44, the Luger pistol, & either the Mauser rifle, or the Mp40? Love ur channel, keep it up. Regards. Urban Geeze.
Sadly, because of the way that the Law is set up, they are not permitted, as visiting civilians, to shoot any semi-auto centrefire rifle or carbine, and not the P08, either. MP40? Not a chance.
Would you guys consider a comparison look at the War of 1812 Weapons. The British Brown Bess version v The USA Springfield Musket and the Baker Rifle v The Harpers Ferry Rifle ?
That would be very interesting indeed! Although as far as practicality and utility are concerned the Brown Bess and the Springfield are both pretty good muskets, probably the best in the world at the time. The Baker and Harpers Ferry rifles the same. Any man going into battle armed with any of those weapons could be confident they'd do the job.
Loved this
Mr Ferguson, that lovely man from the Royal Armouries Museum. Gentlemen thank you for this video.
God made men, Sam Colt made all men equal and John Moses Browning made some men a little more equal than others.
He made toddlers able to kill
My father had a 2-barreled shotgun (the hammer style one) that was hanging over my bed from reindeer horns. But it wasn't a legal gun, I don't recall what happened to it, maybe they finally turned it over to the authorities? But yes, it made me love guns allright.
2 video with Jonathan in them. What a day
I hope the History Hit producers/technical team realize that the voice levels in this particular video are very uneven, so that if I have the sound loud enough to hear the least loud speaker, the loudest speaker is far too loud!
Luke always wanted a rusty sheriff's badge
I remember when we were shooting clay pidgeons with a friend (who owned the shotgun) I didn't let the gun touch my shoulder. I took the recoil with my arms. And I didn't know how to aim with a shotgun, so I just aimed with the barrel. Not bad though, 5/5 of the first set.
I went pheasant shooting with a mate of mine once, he never shot before but didn't tell any of us. We all just assumed he knew (as all country folk). He held the shotgun about 15cm from his shoulder, not flush, with a double trigger over-under. Pulled hard enough in the first trigger he hit both, and gave both barrels to a low flying pheasant. Gun hit him like a sledgehammer, his shoulder was a right state 😂 he carried on all day like a good sport and didn't say a peep till the end.
So I saw something a while back on some of the modern trick shooting techniques.. and I think this was somewhat explained as an actual thing, maybe you first time your way into advanced placement?
@@JackWse Dunno, it was just something I did, with no knowledge at all.
i love Jonathan, i love he gets the recogition. you can see he works a lot. his hair went from brown to grey in 1 year
17:40 watch him get into the zone. Awesome as always Jonathan
I still have my Mattel Winchester lever action cap firing saddle gun from the early 1960s. It has a small flip up thingy on the trigger guard for rapid firing - as you close the lever it pulls back the trigger. I just wondered whether that was something invented by Mattel or whether it is an accurate representation of a device on found on real Winchesters of the Old West?
There was all sorts of mechanisms used. The toggle link Winchester rifles like the 1866, 1873 & the 1876 are fast enough as standard when used for rapid fire to not really need much extra help biggest thing slowing them down is the time it takes to reload.
I'm not sure whether they were ever used in period, but the rifles used in some classic Western movies and TV shows were modified to work like that. "The Rifleman" is probably the most famous example and they used a long screw through the trigger guard to press the trigger every time the lever was worked.
I recall that flip in thing. The popularity was inspired by the Rifleman TV show. That feature and the holsters worn by TV & Movie actors were creations of the prop houses. The quick draw movie holster are also lined in sheet metal for an easier withdrawal.
Firearms of the the old west were modified. The sling rings on both my 1960 Henry and 1866 Wnchesters have been removed. Neither has a ladder rear sight. The buckhorn rear sight on the 1860 had been relocated to the frame.
The developmental history of the Winchester lever action goes back much further than B. Tyler Henry. You need to mention the Volcanic Arms developmental, Horace Smith, Daniel's Wesson etc.
I've been several times to the Leeds Amoury, obviously not behind the scenes, and down there, the Medieval period is my basket. Brilliant 👏.
as an appalacian american its really odd for me to think there's whole countries of people that dont just have these in a cabinet in the living room. I mean they call these guns of the old west.. we call them hunting guns.
that's awesome tbh. would love to visit the area someday soon.
We DO have them in gun safes, but probably not in the living room where they might be overlooked.
Was sad that you didnt include the Henry Rifle. Probably THE most prominent lever action used in the 1800's
This video was timed perfect, just got home from spending three weeks in Texas for Christmas break, one of the few great free states left in America.
...can we just give Texas back to Mexico? Asking for a friend...
@@wilgerdes3240 Best to give them NY and Oregon, both loser states. We keep California only because of Yosemite.
These are always silly conversations
@@Tittlemouse69 That's part of the charm of a public open forum. Although U-tube still cancels things it doesn't like unlike twitter now.
"proper state"
It's still a loser state, just like it was in the american civil war.
Museum guy: "duels didn't really happen often"
History Hit: "and disputes could be resolved by deadly duels"
I own a Winchester 30/30 lever action model 1894 which was the next version after the one fired here and it's a great long gun, very accurate and easy to shoot. I also own a Colt Single Action Army in 45 caliber (I live in the US....) and after having carried and shot modern handguns my entire career I was amazed when I got it how well it sits in your hand and how easy it is to aim/shoot. It does have a healthy recoil and is a pain to load but it's one of the nicest pistols I've ever fired. Totally understand why it was so popular. It's a shame you couldn't fire it, it does feel different than the Navy revolver you did get to shoot.
I've actually always wanted a British Webley revolver but they're hard to find and expensive over here....
Very good of you to use 19th century sound equipment
Or maybe I'm just deaf from too much shooting 😋
I think that first cap and ball revolver was a 1861 Army...not Navy model. Navy models featured mostly an octaganol barrel and usually, but not always, a brass frame. The Army and police models trypically had a round barrel.
With respect, I think you may be confusing the 1851 Colt Navy with the 1861 Colt Navy, as used here.
Yes but, do they take Glock mags?
DerekP calls it right. It’s actually a Colt 1861 navy, not an 1851 navy or 1860 army. It is clearly a 36 caliber, not 44.
I had the same thought C.Ruf, from remembering two plastic construction kits of my childhood. Would expect JF to know best anyway.
@@PaulP999 Hi Paul, nice to hear from you here. It's been a long while since I owned a Harley myself but I used to enjoy some of the HDRCGB events back then. If you check out Mike Beliveau's website and his UA-cam channel, Duelist1954, he has a lot of material on old west guns. In short, the 1861 44 and 36 caliber Army and Navy models look almost the same but differ in their bore sizes. Now I think of it, this is just like 1200 and 883 Sportsters.
Is that Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms and Artillery at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds?
02:15 Meeting Jonathan Ferguson, did you read the description or at least watch the video.😂
@iffykidmn8170 do you mean Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms and Artillery at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds?
Perfect timing to watch with my dinner!
Really enjoyed this but I would point out the cultural differences between the U.S. and Britain with British adult males first using firearms that many Americans learned to shoot as kids. In my case I was 11 or 12 when I first fired a .410 shotgun, and maybe a year later taught to fire a .38 special revolver….no criticism intended tho, just different upbringing. Please keep these going!
Is it not the case that a majority of US households don't have a firearm? Firearm ownership in the rural UK is more common than we often assume. So although the 2 countries are legally at opposite extremes, there's a slight bit of urban vs rural as well maybe?
@@gchecosse that’s a good point. I grew up in a southern rural environment. We had firearms as kids. I’d also say that there has been a tremendous shift of late. When I was in school it was not unusual for both students and teachers to bring rifles to school during hunting season. They would be up at 4 a.m. to hunt, then head to class.
It is a shame your fellow citizens cannot experience the pleasure of using firearms like you two just did. Or be allowed the human right of self protection.
It's because we don't have a gun culture, that we don't need guns, for protection, from all the other people with guns & we also don't have regular mass shootings of places like schools
Anyone in the UK can get to legally shoot the weapons that Louee and Luke used, e.g. by joining or visiting a shooting club. But carrying anything as a weapons for 'self defence' is illegal in the UK. Self defence is allowed in UK law though.
@@derekp2674 That is good to know! I sure am glad that citizens, especially the elderly or handicapped, have the right to defend themselves with whatever is lying about.
You americans always think you can defend yourself with guns and when a country doesn't allow any random person to run around with guns, you think self defense is immediatly banned. It's such bullshit
It's good practice to shoot with both eyes open.
You have much better situational awareness that way.
It takes a little practice but it becomes easy the more you do it.
The look on Jonathans face after shooting that sawn off "My wrist will remember that"
My goodness Clint Eastwood and John Wayne will be turning in their graves, health and safety has taken over the western, pathetic video. Btw I know Eastwood is still here!
What lol
Please do not view this as typical, not sure where they dredged these two up from, but I have never seen such fairies !
@@453421abcdefg12345 I think the point is that they represent ordinary Brits. Very few Brits own or shoot guns, which in my opinion is a good thing.
Jonathan Ferguson would give a perfect villain.
Oh course Jonathan shoots duelist! I love it
Jonathan Ferguson UA-cam sensation! Perfect.
I am using a modern lever action (Browning BLR in .30-06) as a hunting gun (driven hunts in continental Europe). My uncle only used to call it "the fast one". Its damn fast if you know what you are doing
I expected Johnathan to take a more secure stance going 1 handed with a sawed-off.
I think the US ARMY had something to do with taming the Old West. And they used mostly the venerable Springfield .45"-70 just as the British Army used the Martini-Henry.
Yes but we don't like talking about that because the natives and the civilians out gunned the army at the time... it was actually better to call the sheriff at the time then the army if you were being repeatedly attacked by indains because the sheriff would bring enough fire power to deal with it. The army actually would get there asses kick. Only thing the army had was gantling gun but they were very limited
Enjoyed that as a former member of a reenactment group and distant relative of jesse james.
Been shooting for over 55 years, being from the US it is amusing to watch newbies learn and shoot. Feel sorry for all of you in countries with extreme restrictions on guns. Appreciate Jonathon's knowledge.
It's fine - You feel sorry, we feel safe.
@@-Pol- I'm sure you do, even though you aren't. Funny thing is if you remove the murder statistics from five leftist run hellhole cities where European anti gun laws are the rule, the US ranks one hundred and eighty third in the murder rate.