This week, Jonathan is joined by a quintessential What is this Weapon firearm. Designed early in the 20th-century, this self defense pistol still incorporates a hammer ignition system, while being locked in place by something resembling a bolt-action system.

The AR-18, seen as a cheaper alternative to the more commercially successful the AR-15 (M16), was the inspiration behind the Sterling LAR. However, with several patents preventing a more direct copy, Sterling had to find some inventive ways to do things a little differently, leading to this somew...

Jonathan strips the Accuracy International AS50 to see how this lesser-known anti-materiel rifle sought to find it's niche with the British armed forces and beyond

Revolutionary France faced a problem: How could it mass produce cheap firearms with a shortage of heavy machinery and skilled gunsmiths? The answer: this thing.

This cheap and easy to produce pistol, designed to be made with stamped sheet steel was a last-gasp attempt by Nazi Germany to mass-produce a sidearm in the dying months of the Second World War.

Two pistols. Eight shots. It's an awful lot of firepower for just one individual, but that's what Thomas B van Horn, high ranking officer of the US militia and later Army ordered from British gunmaker, Robert Wheeler. There's a lot to unpack from these so strap yourselves in and let Jonathan guid...

As with the shells, 1915 saw another shortage for Britain's burgeoning army: revolvers. To plug this gap, procurement went in search for off the shelf alternatives, as close to the Army's existing inventory of Webleys. Two solutions were sort from the USA, as was this one from the Basque region o...

Design by the somewhat unfortunately named Adolf Furer, this early example of a submachine gun sought to re-use the venerable Luger toggle-lock mechanism, but on its side.

As with many of the weapons we've featured in this series, this week's firearm is a conversion of vast stocks of obsoleted percussion cap Adams Revolvers in order to give them a new lease of life into the second half of the 19th century.

The Barrett M82 is the quintessential anti-materiel rifle in service with 60 militaries around the world. Here, Jonathan investigates its compact cousins used by the British army, famously fell into dangerous hands during the troubles in Northern Ireland.

Catch Jonathan in his element as he discusses one of his much favourite and most researched weapons, the EM-2. These are no ordinary variants however, with both weapons being shipped out for 'in-country' testing in the 1950s.

The 'AK-47' is the ubiquitous label for the most recognisable group of firearms on the planet, but would you be correct in calling all AK-type rifles AK-47s? Is there indeed any such thing as an 'AK-47'? Join Jonathan Ferguson as he examines the lineage of the most produced firearm family of all ...

This week Jonathan examines two rifles instrumental in the early development of the concept which would eventually become the famous Lee Enfield. Despite both weapons not progressing past the experimental stage, their early adoption of a bolt-action firing mechanism coupled with a fixed magazine ...

The ultimate in hidden, personal defence weaponry, the 'Zerfallkoffer' was developed in a time when the briefcase was a common accoutrement to the discerning businessman.

The Nazis pioneered the development of the assault rifle and the intermediate cartridge in the latter half of the Second World War. It led to a host of weapons under different designations with seemingly little (to nothing) to separate individual models. Jonathan Ferguson explains the difference ...

Many of our followers will be familiar with the Welrod suppressed SOE pistol. But far less is known about it's minimalist cousin, the 'Sleeve Gun'. Made by BSA, the gun was introduced towards the Second World War's end as a single-shot, assassination weapon.

Since their introduction during the First World War, modern flamethrower operators have been a priority target for marksmen and snipers due to the deadly fuel the weapons unleashes. This Soviet-made ROKS-2 flamethrower was likely designed to disguise it's true capabilities, resembling more of a ...

At the end of the 19th century, cycling was booming in Europe. Unfortunately for enthusiasts of two-wheeled conveyance, so was rabies in dogs. A solution to this problem was found in the 'Velo-dog', a French/Belgian self defence revolver that gives us a fascinating peek into the perils of pedalli...

Heavily influenced by Germany's revolutionary assault rifles of the latter half of the Second World War, Britain sought a replacement for its reliable yet ageing Lee-Enfield series of rifles. The EM1, one of the contenders to fit this bill never quite lived up to expectations. Keeper of Firearms ...

This week Jonathan Ferguson examines one of several prominent female gun manufacturers present in Britain in the 19th century. Ann Patrick was known for high quality firearms, with this pair featuring a fascinating lock system that was ultimately made obsolete by the percussion cap.

Military aviation was still in its infancy at the outset of the First World War. Pilots and navigators took to the skies wielding a host of handheld small arms including pistols, rifles and even shotguns alongside larger fixed machine guns. The Webley self-loading pistol in .455 calibre with its ...

Attaching a highly explosive attachment to a short range weapon may at first glance seem like a recipe for disaster. However, for certain applications having such a capability could be of real tactical use and indeed the ISTEC 200 series of launchers did see adoption with different nations during...

Can you make a gun without a lock? Mr Riviere certainly thought so. Mr Ferguson isn't quite so sure. Join Jonathan as he looks at an exquisite pair of pistols featuring a beautifully crafted sea monster hammer.

In many ways, the VP70 was a pistol ahead of its time, with an all-polymer frame and futuristic look. Anticipations were high for large sales across the Atlantic. Despite substantial adoption, the pistol was largely overshadowed by the Glock which followed it 10 years later.