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.

Anti-tank rifles are complex, but this one is especially so. Jonathan Ferguson looks at an early model of the Panzerbüchse that was ultimately superseded. The Panzerbüchse 38 anti-tank rifle.

In search of replacing their 'absolutely useless' percussion cap pistols, the British Lancers put in place a sequence of events that would lead to the development of the Enfield Revolver. A strange looking design, Jonathan examines why this pistol failed to impress its buyers and users alike.

First produced in 1951, the Belgian-made self-loading rifle was designed by famous FN weapons designer Dieudonné Saive. Saive was living under Nazi occupation when he was extracted to Britain in 1941 where he developed the Model 1949 AFN

One of the most remarkable combination weapons in the Royal Armouries collection, this 19th century musket-come-grenade launcher can be fired in both directions.

It's Jonathan's week off so join our Curator of Firearms Christian Wellard as he explores the bulky M3 Carbine. Developed at the end of the Second World War, the M3 was trialled by British forces in Korea and Malaya and despite its hefty size and weight, was well liked by troops.

The M16 is undoubtedly one of the most recognisable weapons in the history of firearms. But, did you know that the Colt Model 715 M16A2 was also adopted into limited use by British armed forces. Join Jonathan Ferguson as he explores the key differences between a British service M16 and its Americ...

Join Jonathan Ferguson as he brings you a quintessential What is this Weapon. This 'almost' bullpup design was created against the background of the looming war in Europe, drawing heavily on Italian sub machine gun designs. But, it also features some unique features which range from the inventive...

Join Keeper of Firearms and Artillery, Jonathan Ferguson as he examines two of the treasures from our collection. Created by master gunsmith, Ezekiel Baker, these opulently finished target pistols tell the story of a firearm-loving monarch who had a taste for the finer things in life.

This week Jonathan examines an extremely rare system for suspending your revolver cylinder by Liege-based gunmaker, Alexandre Fagnus. Resembling the humble British plug chain, Jonathan explains why we don't see this system widespread among revolvers of this period.

The relatively rare Danuvia VD-01 is the focus for this week's What is this Weapon? episode. While boasting a relatively unremarkable spot in the story of firearms development, the VD-01 does have some interesting features, including polygonal rifling and a helical barrel.

This week's weapon tells two juxtaposing stories. The first is one born out of the troubles in Northern Ireland, while the second deals with an intergalactic lizard assassin. Join Jonathan Ferguson as he reveals both stories behind this fascinating firearm.

This week Jonathan examines two beautifully made self-defence pistols from the mid 19th century which the Keeper of Firearms and Artillery himself admits has never seen anything quite like. This is our last episode of 2022. We'd like to thank all our fantastic followers for their support over the...

In the 1930s, Britain sought to replace the ageing Vickers and Lewis guns in its aircraft arsenal. The trials winner was the Browning .303 but the War Office wanted a number of changes to the off-the-shelf weapon, including a substantial increase in the rate of fire. Famously mounted in the Hurri...

Why would you want a pair of pistols joined by a single barrel? The answer is a nuanced legal workaround to avoid restrictions on concealed weapons in 19th century Italy.

Instantly recognisable to weaponry enthusiasts, the Luger is a mainstay of war movies and video games alike. This suppressed example is an extremely rare variant, as it was designed for covert operations by the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) during the Second World War. Join Jonathan ...

Our Christmas special this year sees Jonathan delve into a weapon with a fascinatingly extensive service life. Copied from a Finnish design from the Winter War, this Russian/Soviet Maxim variant saw extensive service in both world wars and continues to crop up in the illegal Russian invasion of U...

The introduction of bolt action, magazine rifles saw Britain's vast arsenal of relatively new Martini-Henry's quickly obsoleted. An ex-army officer, Charles Greville Harston took it upon himself to come up with a cheap, simple solution. The solution was expensive, complicated and quickly surpasse...

The mid-nineteenth century saw huge strides in the development of repeater pistol mechanisms, with the introduction of the Colt Paterson revolver in 1836. Other excellent designs would follow in the ensuing decades. But, as we'll discover with the Jones, weapons designers continued to deviate fro...

This Bavarian breech-loading rifle features what looks like a bizarre backwards facing trigger.

The Khyber region of Pakistan and Afghanistan is famed for its production of a variety of small arms ranging from the recognisable to the outright odd. This machine pistol was brought to the UK for analysis by the Pattern Room as it incorporates a number of interesting features that at first glan...

Our collection often treads a thin line between being a deadly weapon or piece of art. These 19th century self-defence pistols play on this very notion, attempting to disguise their deadly purpose in the shape of a typical jewellery case of the period. What practical use would something so seemin...

Following the Indian Rebellion of 1857-58, Britain was intent on preventing a repeat of its own Indian Sepoy troops rising up and fighting against British forces. One solution to this was to effectively 'nerf' the weapons they were issued. This India Pattern Musket is the product of the distrust ...

Our new series returns with a familiar face, Jonathan Ferguson. He's brought along an object that's always fascinated him, the Georgian version of the RPG-7. But just who made this weapon and what was it's purpose?