Concealed women's self-defence pistols with firearms and weaponry expert, Jonathan Ferguson

Подписаться 329 тыс.

Просмотров 41 тыс.

50% 1

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 seemingly impractical have? Our Keeper of Firearms and Artillery, Jonathan Ferguson explains...
Subscribe to our channel for more videos about arms and armour
Help us bring history to life by supporting us here: royalarmouries.org/support-us...
Sign up to our museum membership scheme here: royalarmouries.org/support-us...
⚔Website: royalarmouries.org/home
⚔Blog: royalarmouries.org/stories/
⚔Facebook: / royalarmouriesmuseum
⚔Twitter: / royal_armouries
⚔ Instagram: / royalarmouriesmuseum
We are the Royal Armouries, the United Kingdom's national collection of arms and armour. Discover what goes on behind the scenes and watch our collection come to life. See combat demonstrations, experience jousting and meet our experts.
Have a question about arms and armour? Feel free to leave us a comment and we'll do our best to answer it.

Опубликовано:

3 авг 2024

Ссылка:

Скачать:

Готовим ссылку...

Добавить в:

Мой плейлист

Посмотреть позже

Комментарии : 145

@DeadnCold 2 года назад

The Victorian era was such an amazing time of invention. Science and the machinist's skill were making such leaps and bounds that anything seemed possible and they had such wonderful ideas.

@Stigstigster 2 года назад

This is one of my favourite areas of firearms history. An obviously practical, well thought out and useful kit for anyone although most likely a lady as you say. Lovely to see something from its time in such near pristine condition and with all its components for a self-contained system. A time-capsule of sorts. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing these.

@samuellow7812 2 года назад

Neat and fascinating way of giving 19th century women a way to defend themselves with. Also a great pair of weapons to see in that collection, which has some historical information, but not enough to make a story.

@TheSundayShooter 2 года назад

Jump forward to the 21st Century: dialing 999 and _maybe_ a whistle if it pleases Her Majesty

@brittakriep2938 2 года назад

For a wealthy woman, poorer women had not the money, this pistols could defend her. But happened it so often , that a richer Lady ( of gentry maybe) is unescorted? No husband, no sevant, coach driver? Well, when travelling at night or outside a settlement, she could put the open box next to her inside the coach. But could a lady in fashionstyle of her days carry such pistols concealed , when she walks in a street or park? Perhaps in a Muff?

@18robsmith 2 года назад

Bloke on the Range did an over view of guns like this, he called them "Lady's muff guns" as they were small enough to be concealed in a lady's hand warming muff (no sniggering at the back there)

@derekp2674 2 года назад

Thanks Jonathan and team, that was really interesting to see. I can see why Royal Armouries would want to acquire such a nice example, even if doing so meant winning an auction for the items. As you still sat on your test range, I did begin to wonder if you were going to test fire one of those pistols for research and educational purposes :)

@azkrouzreimertz9784 2 года назад

I think we all need that data

@andreweden9405 2 года назад

Here in the States we would call those Deringer or "Derringer" pistols. In fact, it sounds like that London manufacturer began his operation just one year after Henry Deringer opened his works in Philadelphia (1825). When I was a kid, my class in school took a field trip out to our capital city Washington DC, and one of the stops was Ford's Theater where president Lincoln was assassinated. It's mostly, if not entirely, a museum now, and they have (or at least had then) on display the very Derringer pistol that John Wilkes Booth used to murder Lincoln. It is very similar to these, except that its trigger is fixed, with a trigger guard, etc., unlike these, which have the swing-out triggers.

@piatpotatopeon8305 2 года назад

13:20 I love the image of someone with this dainty, high-class, self-defense weapon melting lead over a campfire to make new bullets.

@Verbose_Mode 2 года назад

I lit up with joy when I saw that the powder flask stores the shot as well, that is so clever for convenient carry and management!

@Sinky-06 2 года назад

Absolutely magnificent

@leroywashington3417 2 года назад

This was fascinating, I love seeing firearms used in Victorian Era. Also lovely calculator watch!

@aidanfarnan4683 2 года назад

What a lovely little pistol! I love how almost everthing you need to load it is stored in the powder flask.

@johnladuke6475 2 года назад

I like how these are dated squarely around 1850. Right about the time when people are thinking that self-contained metallic cartridges are too dangerous, because the propellant and primer are together with the projectile. And some lady, or her husband, thought it was a brilliant idea to have a little pocket size powder flask with primers in the end and some lead balls as shrapnel. Because you know, it's much safer.

@kevlarandchrome 2 года назад

Those were wonderful. I love little pocket sized percussion cap pistols. At some point when I get some free time in the shop I really want to try making one and that set looks like a great template to work off of. Thanks for sharing.

@TrainmanDan 2 года назад

What can you say, it was a simpler time. I have a (probably) later one, absolutely plain finish with proof marks only. Similar but one of the centre hammer designs so no sights! I tried to fire it once just because but the mainspring was too weak to fire the cap, so no joy there. That is an extremely beautiful set Jonathan, thank you for showing it off. Cheers, Dan.

@90lancaster 2 года назад

Johnathan ; 'Through our extensive knowledge and resources we can date this to 1850" Me :" So you didn't just look at the Hallmarks on the Silver Flask then ?"

@90lancaster 2 года назад

Also Me : at the start of the video - oh that looks like a Necklace Case Me : At the end of the video - looks smug

@Martin.J.Walker 2 года назад

Very surprisingly, the evolution of Handguns is more interesting than I thought it would be.

@NomadShadow1 2 года назад

As you were discussing the function of the powder flask I couldn't help but hear in my head "And you'd be all like 'Get ye flask'"

@laheu 2 года назад

the aesthetic sense is really present with these. not what I expected at all.

@interstellarsurfer 10 месяцев назад

I was wondering if the presenter Mr. Ferguson would ever figure out what the function of the barrel wrench was. Glad he finally stumbled upon it. Also, for future record - the nipple wrench facilitates the cleaning of the nipple's flash hole. The nipple isn't a consumable item in regular use, although it does become fouled and require cleaning.

@thepenultimateninja5797 Год назад

It's worth remembering that the case was almost certainly not made by the gunsmith. Most likely, the gunsmith commissioned the case from a maker of jewellery cases, but it's quite possible that the case was commissioned by the retailer, or even the end user of the pistols. We'll never know for sure, but it's fun to speculate.

@NeonMako 2 года назад

Casio databank? Jonathan really does seem to be a man of exceptional taste in more than just firearms!

@lastdon85 Год назад

ngl, had me in the first half. sitting here like "bruh its just a muzzle loading cap and ball whoopity doo" but im glad i stuck around. a very neat pair of guns.

@markwoodger2 11 месяцев назад

Ladies Lancaster pistols, delicate and deadly. what a treat.

@yeright1977 2 года назад

Gorgeous pieces

@itsapittie 2 года назад

It seems that over time as the threads wore a little bit, it would be easy to "overclock" the barrel so that the front sight was slightly canted. However, they probably got used very little and in practice maybe they wouldn't get enough wear to matter. Additionally, these were almost certainly "last ditch" weapons used at very close range so in reality the sights wouldn't matter.

@alexandriabrangwin 2 года назад

That little flip down trigger is adorable!

@allangibson2408 2 года назад

A lot of revolvers of this era (and later) had them. They only stopped being common at the end of the century when trigger guards became the default choice and safeties got fitted as standard to most guns.

@joshuadavey8937 2 года назад

When he mentioned that they were in a mock-jewelry case, my first thought was that they were possibly owned by a jeweler who had been robbed one too many times. Either way, very interesting.

@Harkness197 2 года назад

I love Jonathan's watch lol

@ihcfn 2 года назад

Very nice set, particularly like the multi function flask!

@shlamimk4664 2 года назад

It's like the antiques road show without the annoying punters. Just kidding. I love the annoying punters. Calm down everyone. Brilliant presentation though as usual. Well met.

@swagnut9864 2 года назад

Cannot wait to see amazing stuff like this when I fly over the pond to see all of this in person next month. Who knows I might even run into Jonathan lol. Also do we have any idea when they will start selling tickets for tours this spring?

@IngenieurAerospatia 2 года назад

Make sure you get yourself to Holt's Auction house too.

@swagnut9864 2 года назад

@@IngenieurAerospatia I’ll only been in Leeds for an afternoon but I’ll definitely try and squeeze it in if I can. Thanks for the recommendation 🙏👏

@a.s.j.g6229 2 года назад

How was the trip? Did you meet Jonathan?

@gammalgubbestorstadshoodie9148 2 года назад

That Gun should be in a future James Bond movie of its small size with British Armory museum as part of movie scene.

@Moehre040 2 года назад

Only read the text on the thumbnail and expected some james bond style stuff, but this is also real cool to see

@petebeatminister 2 года назад

It was not neccessarily made for a woman, because of the box styling. In those days such items were basically only affordable for very rich people, if not nobles, and they had very high expectations on style and quality. So delivering the pistol set in a mega fancy case was probably the appropriate thing to do, if you had a shop in Bond Street in the mid 1800s, with the matching customers. One little fact you seem to have forgotten over the whole excitement: what caliber is it? Looks pretty big for such small pistols - perhaps .44 or even bigger?

@cgi2002 2 года назад

With it making it's own shot it may not have been a traditional shot size since it's basically the historical version of a concealed carry. Also with the limited barrel length and powder capacity, a .44 may have been too heavy, something lighter would have made more sense. As for ownership, there are other users who may have wanted a jewelry style case. You have your traditional "upper crust" people, but you also have people like ambassadors who can't be seen to be armed and while its unlikely, there is one obvious group, jewelry stores themselves. Self defence weapons like these wouldn't in theory be out of place in such an establishment, although with their decor I suspect this is unlikely.

@allangibson2408 2 года назад

.50 caliber…

@luissantiago5163 2 года назад

Oh stuff like this is so damn interesting. Cheers

@scottishcelts2040 2 года назад

Awesome

@legendofkelamentura 2 года назад

As usual, learning a lot about firearms history and bonus fact (although not surprising): Jonathan owns a Casio calculator watch

@aferguson850 2 года назад

Really enjoyed the video, have you ever thought of doing something on the artillery pieces kept by the museum?

@klegdixal3529 2 года назад

i like this set decoration almost as much as i enjoyed the volley gun's rack :)

@TommiHonkonen 2 года назад

new old stock straight from 1850's

@kenibnanak5554 2 года назад

I believe those are examples of what used to be called a 'ladies muff pistol.' Carried in the hand inside a hand muff while traveling the street (or alley).

@booqueefious2230 2 года назад

Lol. Yeah ive heard that and it makes sense, but still makes me giggle

@kenibnanak5554 2 года назад

@@booqueefious2230 I have seen 19th century news accounts of their use against 'ruffians' and I would say those shot in the face or lower belly with one did not giggle very much.

@williamhart4896 2 года назад

Such a excellent example of a lady's muff pistols with the full case and tools. thanks for showing it to me

@Azguella 2 года назад

Why do I have image in my head that this was carriable dueling kit just women going around town challenging others to duel

@TheWirksworthGunroom 2 года назад

When I saw the targets in the background I thought we were going to be treated to a firing demonstration!

@matthewlynch435 2 года назад

love the set, audio seems less echoy

@spacewater7 Год назад

I just finished watching this, and the recent Babylon Bee short 'What if Women Had the Same Rights as Guns' popped into my mind...

@mphelps7919 2 года назад

Yay - someone got a decent camera!

@davidwong9230 2 года назад

Looks like craftily crafted weaponry for someone in The Kingsman

@Stevarooni 2 года назад

Those sights are aspirational more than useful, that thing would be a good belly gun.

@adrianwarner8686 2 года назад

These strike me as something a wealthy woman could take with her whilst travelling with nobody knowing. Some discrete personal protection on ocean crossings or rail journeys, easy to keep to hand in a cabin/berth.

@booqueefious2230 2 года назад

I think most of these litle old concealed black powder guns were mostly intended for use against dogs.

@allangibson2408 2 года назад

@@booqueefious2230 Not in 50 cal. These are more in Derringer class. Quite lethal to humans at short range (IF you can hit them).

@georgeboatright6635 2 года назад

another nice shirt!

@catherinewilkins2760 2 года назад

Thank you for that, have a similar pistol, without the bits. I knew it as a muff pistol, for ladies to have in their muff.

@realhorrorshow8547 2 года назад

It would be nice to know the calibre (plus other gun nerd stats, obviously). But every lady should have them.

@humanfromearth9671 2 года назад

God Tier Watch!

@TheRaptorXX 2 года назад

Another brilliant episode! By the way, where DID you get your t-shirt? EDIT: No worries, I found one!

@Shadow_Hawk_Streaming 2 года назад

with the unscrewing bore I'm kind of surprised they didn't utilise paper cartridges, something which would definitely make it easier for the user to load in a hurry

@georgeford8221 2 года назад

I’ve heard negligent discharges and injuries were very common with these kinds of guns, namely because when you tighten the barrel it’s easy for a bit of powder to get squeezed between the barrel and the body of the gun. Is this actually a concern? I know modern powder is not pressure sensitive, but perhaps black powder is?

@samholdsworth420 2 года назад

These guns are definitely not safe by any means....the Victorian era was toxic to say the least 🙃

@Salesman9001 2 года назад

It is concern even with modern powders, it's not the pressure but sparks that ignite both powders. There are pressure sensitive gun propellants but people figured really quickly that they are bad idea, even if they give good performance on paper.

@las10plagas 2 года назад

I would not have the balls to handle a museum piece. I am sometimes to clumsy, I would break everything, just by looking at it.

@lonestar16oz 2 года назад

Seems like it would make sense for a jewelry dealer to own. Could be on the table top along with actual jewelry boxes, and not raise alarm.

@commander31able60 2 года назад

is that a Thompson with an integral suppressor on the left?

@CathodeRayNipplez 2 года назад

0:05 Oi... Over here Jonathan.. on your left dude. 0:31 OK, we'll come around to you.

@brittakriep2938 2 года назад

In 1898 austrian Empress Elizabeth was asassansted in Geneva. A shock for austrian ( and german) noble or rich Ladies. Armed women had been unusual in german language countries, the Derringers and Pocket Revolvers had a ,taste' for many traditional women. So some inventors tried to build rather small automatics in 2-4,25 mm. Yes Kolibri and Erika.

@CoinShow 2 года назад

The relationship women-weapons might be interesting to look into.

@odie7764 2 года назад

I could see a father buying this for his daughter.

@Shadow_Hawk_Streaming 2 года назад

I would imagine that these were the tiffany gun of their day, so naturally it would have been put in such a case to increase the presentation of the pieces when presented to their I assume eager recipient.

@AaronAlso 2 года назад

Based on the extensive attention taken to keep everything as small as possible and as concealed as possible I wonder if such items where not specifically meant for something other than self-defense.

@mats7492 2 года назад

Jonathans Watch tho

@_dankle 2 года назад

Im curious about the weird bottle barrel thing in the back

@Cookynator 2 года назад

That's a really curious piece of history. Why would a woman in Victorian Britain (and one of at least some wealth, both because I imagine that set would be expensive, and they would have to own enough jewelry for that to not look out of place) want or need a pair of pistols like that? Was it a fashion statement? Was she the wife of someone who travelled the empire and wanted to have some discreet way to protect herself? Or did she live an even more interesting life than that? So many questions and so few answers!

@Salesman9001 2 года назад

Sports and parlor shooting was popular among wealthier women so many had guns for that. These seem like they have never (or rarely) been fired, so I'd say they were bought as curiosities or as a conversation item.

@webtoedman 2 года назад

My stepmother (Now in her late eighties), defended herself and her infant son from Mau-Mau insurgents in Kenya. The imperial protection theory is not so far fetched.

@rrclassics9530 2 года назад

No wonder they come in pairs. Because reloading takes forever.

@aussiebloke609 2 года назад

I wonder if it could be property of a well-to-do madame. I can't think of many other times back then that a woman would keep something like this close to hand - the case being rather bulky for carrying (unlike just a pistol in her muff or purse) and home was usually considered safe enough for women not to need a pistol close to hand. But a brothel madame, in a place where there's potential personal danger, and in a place where a jewelry case wouldn't appear out of place, and who has the cash for something fancy like this...could make sense. It also might explain why details of ownership are hard to find, as a "respectable" company may not want to advertise that a brothel owner used their products. This is all supposition, of course - but it's a fun application of logic. :-)

@Lord.Kiltridge 2 года назад

I am very surprised at how there is no rebounded hammer type safety where the hammer is close enough to the nipple to stop it from falling off, but not pressing on it such that the cap might discharge accidentally.

@BustTheNut 2 года назад

..i can`t be the only one that is curious about that Suppressed Thompson there on the left right?

@ThisGuyAd. 2 года назад

I'm sitting there going Lancaster bomber? feeling very silly 😅

@jakedee4117 2 года назад

Question for Johnathan; What's the caliber / bore ?

@wtr2235 2 года назад

Would've been nice to have a real jewelry case to show as comparison.

@samb5096 2 года назад

Tell us about the shirt though!

@AnyR72 2 года назад

Spitfire Shirt is by 909 Apparel☺

@sepulture777 2 года назад

would the percussion caps still go off if striken?

@markdicker686 Год назад

Is the barrel stopped or indexed to line the front sight?

@tomwinterfishing9065 2 месяца назад

Jonathan’s patent imaginary power 👌

@Chasmodius 2 года назад

I get the idea of concealment in an object that would not look out of place, but wouldn't a jewelry case be a prime target for potential theft? Perhaps a hat box might have been more appropriate?

@allangibson2408 2 года назад

The guns would have been carried on the owners person in her clothing. The case would only be used in her cabin at night.

@ianforrest 2 года назад

Were not these pistols called muff pistols as that was where they were held to be instantly available?

@f15htast1c 2 года назад

Anyone know what kind of watch Jonathan is wearing? It looks 80s-tastic!

@peka2478 2 года назад

Are sights really making a difference here? I imagine this is more like point and shoot, for it wont hit anything beyong a couple of meters anyway?

@samholdsworth420 2 года назад

OMG I haven't seen a calculator watch since the early 90s 🤣

@oscarjosefsson9300 2 года назад

"Hello girls!"

@somefool4625 2 года назад

The case itself counts as a weapon too.

@nitemare20000 2 года назад

Of course Jonathan wears a calculator watch. I love it 😂

@gerry343 2 года назад

Who made the Lancaster bomber?

@benleydon 2 года назад

The Avro company made the bomber The Lancaster name is after the city - Avro also made the Manchester and the Lincoln

@johnkey1682 2 года назад

Could it have been owned by a Jewelry shop owner for defense of his shop without being overtly armed (making clientele uneasy)?

@allangibson2408 2 года назад

This is exactly the gun the clients would be carrying. Tiffany sold (very expensive) guns into the 1970’s.

@quattroconcept4 2 года назад

The case looks like an oyster

@CAP198462 2 года назад

What about this kit doesn’t say duelling set? Call it a ladies duelling set if you want. It Might have happened with particularly militant ladies, I suppose. It does come from the period where duelling was out of fashion. The inaccuracy of the pistols would satisfy tradition while hopefully being non-lethal.

@myparceltape1169 2 года назад

It could be a gift to a young woman who could not decide between two suitors. A gift from that young woman's father, perhaps. Make the two suitors eyeball each other in the presence of the necklace case. Then open the case and demand they win, or they have lost. "How important am I to you? Important enough to risk your life? And if you think I am, are you good enough for me?"

@kittehgo 2 года назад

Ah the olden days, when you really,really had to be sure you wanted to fire and hurt/ kill something.

@parrotraiser6541 2 года назад

Exquisite in both conception and condition. How many similar pieces are known? It must have been a bespoke piece; I can't imagine that as a catalogue item. It's not often mentioned, but I believe that small personal weapons had a lot to do with women gaining political power. With a brace of those, or later a .32 pinfire revolver, a lady could venture out at night to a meeting without an escorting husband. Any ruffian mistaking her for an easy victim might find the mistake to be fatal.

@vulpsturm 2 года назад

One reason for the breach loading such as these are, and the wrench, is that when you screw the barrel down, you are forcing the ball (bullet) into the rifling, which is a slightly smaller diameter than the lead ball. This means it will engage the rifling and make it more accurate than the cheaper, smoothbore pistols. "Sights" don't equate to accuracy, but a well made, rifling pistol does. Sadly the Royal Armouries can't do more live firing of their guns (You can just clean these properly, they don't wear out for firing once or twice) because of UK laws against "glamorizing" firearms.