History of WWI Primer 137: Russian Berdan II Documentary 

"We are going *waaayyy* back..." **Excitement intensifies**

You briefly mentioned the Russian preference for close combat, and it is worth noting that this preference was long lived and did indeed outlive the Russian Empire itself. Soviet tactical doctrines outlined in the regulations and manuals dictate this clearly, the close combat manual listing three important points on the first page "Move swiftly and stealthily! Throw your grenade far and accurately! Strike with your bayonet and stock surely!" This preference to close combat is once again outlined even more clearly in the infantry combat regulations "at 40 to 50 meters distance from the enemy the squad breaks into determined Battle cry and storms the enemy position and destroys the enemy with hand grenades, with fire at point blank range, and with the bayonet and rifle butts. the light machine gun attacks together with the squad and fires on the move." An interesting side-note I suppose

Russia going bonkers trying to modernize their military arms to the point of adopting 5 rifles over three years and jumping through hoops to get a metallic cartridge industry going, only to have France shortly afterwards go "hey world, guess what?"

26:20 What manner of methamphetamine did they give to the man who managed to fire 28 rounds in a minute with a single shot bolt action?

we really do need a bayonet show. Just call it Pokey Bits.

Ah, so THIS is a Berdan primer!

56:56 New Fact: Imperial Army of Korean Empire also used the seven thousands Berdan Type 2 rifle since they allied with the Russian Empire in 1897. They used it very well until 1902 that they are going to used the Arisaka Type 30 rifle.

can't believe the Berdan was so good they decided to make a Berdan II

“Took a lot of time to construct through various tangents that manage to hit just around the topic” You’ve managed to accidentally describe the mathematical concept behind calculus. Bravo

A friend of mine who is an Aussie Greek Cypriot has a photo of his great grandfather with a Russian Berdan rifle. He asked me a long while back to identify the rifle he was carrying which took a while but I was amazed that he had a Russian Berdan rifle. I assumed that the rifle was captured by the Turks during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78 & then captured in the Greco-Turkish War of 1897. Excellent video which clears up a lot of information for me.

I feel like Bruno's animations don't often get the attention they deserve but the ammo in this animation looks stellar! Good job man!

Am I the only one who saw Berdan II and though, "How did I miss an episode?!"

In the clearing stands a Berdan And a fighter by his trade And he carries the reminders Of every Slav that laid him down Or cut him till he cried out In his anger and his shame "I am leaving, I am leaving" But the fighter still remains.

Comment for the algorithm gods. This channel deserves it.

In this episode, Othais and Mae completely forget the Gras exists.

also fascinating to learn that The Berdan Rifle, Berdan Primer, and Berdan Sharpshooters were all named for the same man.

I love being a patron so that I can see the hard work that goes into each episode slightly earlier. Also comment for the YT overlords.

Well as I do suspect that people would love some historical context, Berdan II is often associated with the Finnish Guards Rifle Battalion (or just Suomen Kaarti, Finnish Guard). Of course, its official designation during Russo-Turkish War would had been Henkikaartin 3. Suomen Tarkk'ampuja Pataljoona (in Russian: Лейб-гвардии 3-й стрелковый Финский батальон, Leib-gvardii 3-j strelkovyi Finski batalon) and in English it would be roughly: Guards 3rd Marksman Battalion. If name doesn't give away, Finns were considered to be natural shooters. Hardy folk that could shoot smallest bird from mid-flight from ridiculous distances away. As it was actually the only official Finnish army unit in Imperial army, it got very famous in Russo-Turkish war and not just in home but also abroad. First time a Finnish army unit (not Swedish or Russian unit with Finns in it) took part in actual war with common language being finnish. Some war correspondents even claimed (and it was probaply bit exaggerated) that Finns were immune to winter, Turkish officers lived in fear of them would rather surrender then fight them and Russians will always win if they heard that "Finski" were with them. So what did Finnish Guard do during the Russo-Turkish War? In short, not actually much. It never did took part in famous Battle of Plevna (or siege) but it is remembered for its part in capture of fortress in Gornyi Dubnjakin which lead to fall of Plevna. And from there it marched all the way to Constantinople all the while carrying Berdan rifles.

Babe wake up C&Rsenal just uploaded.

Always wanted to see a Berdan in action.

At least Ian will be baffled by the Othiaska...

Because of last podcast I am required by law to say this before every comment. "nOw, Im A PaTrOn" and I enjoy your show

I remember being in Junior Year two years ago now and watching this episode at lunch, enthralled in the history, mystified by the sound blast of the shot, and I still feel like it was yesterday.

Just signed up with subscribestar. I've been watching religiously since the first French rifle video when I was an undergrad baby and always wanted to support you guys. Take my dirty dirty pizza delivery money you magnificent bastard.

Wait wait wait what, Othais pronounced Suomussalmi correctly. How? Is he broken? Thats not supposed to happen.

You know that meme of the guy with the cork board filled with papers, pins, and yarn going everywhere? 2:20

So long story short, the Berdans were worth more than gold.

Berdan 2: Russian Boogaloo

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE. BLESS YOU OTHIAS! HAIL THE MIGHTY BEARD!!!

This episode came at the perfect time. I recently got an early berdan II without the volley sights. It was a bring back from Afghanistan and lets just say the bolt has seen better days. I haven't been able to find any info about it at all so this episode is a literal life saver in helping me get it firing again.

Amazing history to go along with an elegant old rifle....

Honestly, this is one of those guns I had no flipping idea was a thing. Love these tid bits of knowledge!

I always liked single shots and double barrels, they have a kind of charm, specially double barrel shotguns, I love em all

I was skeptical of your comments regarding Berdan in the Q&A, thinking it was probably recency bias. Fifteen minutes, I was wrong.

Huzzah! Been waiting for this one since the siege of Plevna!

So, so, SO glad I bought one the other day. I love you guys.

This channel continues to be excellent. Thanks Othais and Mae!

It's not a C&Rsenal episode without the siege of Plevna

I think the story came together very well considering the lack of clear documented information or a book on the rifle. Good work!

Well, at this point in the series, it may be that carrying Mae into battle may be the best bet. She has more experience with more different arms that she would be an asset in any unit. Thank you for your efforts on our behalf.

General Alexander Suvorov was a brilliant strategist and tactician who never lost a single battle beating the French, Austrians, Prussians, Turks in every encounter... his phrase respecting bayonets is frequently misused and misunderstood, at the time when opposing troops were often engaged in lengthy and fruitless gunfire exchanges from the distance he promoted bayonet charges but never as frontal attacks at the entrenched and prepared enemy, his idea and practice were to attack the enemy troops at night, or on a march, preferably in bad weather catching them off guard and overrunning them with intense and concerted effort of his highly trained shock troops, yes, relying on close-quarters combat, most opponents feared and were ill prepared for. His track record proved him right. His another better known phrase was: "win by skills not numbers!"

Thanks for the video. Even me, Ukrainian born in 1990, remembers the word "berdanka" from my childhood. It meant "very old rifle", of any kind. Cultural significance of this thing was huge.

Sufferin' through the ads for some sweet sweet C&Rsensal content. Totally worth it.

After watching this I feel like i would love a brief biographical series about some of the people mentioned over the course of Primer. Like a little half an hour episode from time to time like the Colt and trap series, featuring breif chats about some of the most vibrant characters we have covered.

What you said at the start about the lack or books on this subject....it's very surprising because of how long this rifle was used. Thanks again for doing what you do.

"The Lee Enfield opens it's self" hahaha yeah that's a good one.

>Looks at wall of guns. >Sees all the shotguns stacked in front of it.

wow what fabulous video, THANK you C&R!

Awesome Berdan and dinner!

Just like to say I'd be super keen for a spin-off series showing how some of the ammo you use is made. I hope that's something you do end up doing.

Thanks for the extra research and work you had to put in for this episode. The brief history lesson of post Crimean War Russian military conclusions was *chef's kiss*

I’ve actually been waiting a long time for this one. Harambae ❤️

Thank you for telling us the origin of the Russian idiom "The bullet is a fool."

Cheers Othias & Mae

“Forget the fools, fix the fine lads and charge!”

Thank you for the dedication to research Othais.

It's always fascinating how quickly we went from muzzleloaders that had been used for centuries, to cased ammunition, breach loaders to bolt actions, and finally to semi- and full auto firearms. The sheer technological jump starting in the 1870s to 1900s; from sail and coal to dreadnaughts, horse and carriage to cars, airships and planes, etc

It has finally arrived!!!

Another great episode. The Berdan II seems like a good rifle for it's time, really. This episode looked great too, the colour balance seemed really good. Might just be me.

Nice touch with Mae before the intro

Great episode, thanks! I really appreciate how you tied all the threads together on this.

Just upgraded my subscription tier! I’ve watched you guys from the very beginning but didn’t become a patron till summer 2019 after realizing how much your videos increased my collecting knowledge and helped me get through my deployment. After listening to the latest unloaded and watching this episode’s end credits, I couldn’t help but increase my support. Thanks guys!

I am very thankful for you guys. You've been a really big part of my life for the past few years and I hope that you all are doing well. I really appreciate everything that you guys do

This video is exactly what I needed today. Thanks!

Yes! I've been waiting for this since the first time it was mentioned

I’ve been waiting for this for so long! I can’t wait to watch!

Спасибо за рассказ о этой замечательной винтовке! Надо только добавить что много списанных из армии винтовок Бердана №2 было переделано в охотничьи ружья 32 калибра. ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Фроловка_(ружьё)

In the Mannerheim museum there is a 2 Berdan rifles from his time in the Russian Imperial army. He was a General in the Imperial Cavalry and very good friend with the Tsar.

Excuse me, what. I LIVE in Plymouth, Michigan and I didn't know this. Thats awesome!

Three minutes in, I'm saying "I love you Othias!" Uncontrollably repeatingly, over and over again. Thanks for your dedication 😊

Commenting to help the show grow

Well done with the research. You all do a great job weaving a story that is engaging from material that is both scarce and dry. Seriously impressive.

I have nothing smart to say, great episode. Commenting for engagement.

This is going to long Walked to get here, Well done Othas

Lucky for me, I caught the upload right before I went to bed.

BSA production costs 63 Shillings is £3 3s, at 20 shillings to the £. Average wage of the factory worker, around 15s (3/4 of a £ ) per week.

I loved seeing the slo-mo extraction. Very substantial and satisfying. Well done!

Thanks for another nugget of firearms history goodness.

My offering to the algorithm because this channel is the best channel

I bought a Berdan II about 6 months ago, and have been slowly obtaining the knowledge and tools to reload for it. Excited to see a full length video on one!

always exited when i see a new episode up.

thank you kind peeps

Ohhhhh good timing! I just bought an Ethiopian Berdan, excited to see what arrives, and this video helps contextualize it.

Yay!! Primer!!!

Excellent research on this particular rifle Othias, thanks a lot for this.

Thank you so much for the hard work y’all put in.

Hi, спасибо for another great episode!

Hey Othais! I have a Krnka at home albeit not in the most excellent of conditions but Bulgarian museums are full of them anyway. What I do have which is not so common are some actual Krnka cartridges. I can take some pictures for you if you even do a Krnka episode (which would be absolutely amazing because it's the first rifle of modern Bulgaria and we also did use them as reserve rifles in WWI)

It's not necessarily a gun I would want to own - and definitely not what I would want on the Eastern Front - but damn Berdans are pretty.

Othias, you legend, I've been trying to find information on the Carle Rifle, as I have a huge interest in Needle-fire rifles. It's been quite difficult to find anything in English on their rifles pre-mosin.

Another excellent, informative video. Thanks for sharing!

Bring forth the black powder single shot episodes. My body is ready.

Sounds like the real answer for best single shot is the original Italian Vetterli 1870 TS. The bolt handle comes down near the trigger, strong enough for smokeless(ish) cartridge, AND short rifle length. Double down in that it goes Vitali 1887 magazine with charger loading!

Engagement comment: Berdan's gold-extractor used a furnace and a 7-foot wide iron crucible which both moved, the crucible was full of hot mercury [Express (London) 26/10/1853]. That thing must have been the bad news bears from a health and safety point of view.

Rather enjoyed this episode. Appreciate the hard work you all put into these.

Man, now that actually looks like a crazy fun old smokepole! Excellent, crazy history, too. Great presentation, thanks!

Might be the first time I've heard "microbiome" on YT. Definitely the first time I've heard it used as a metaphor. Nice!

Thank you

Another splendid video, well done chaps!

Ahh.. finally caught time to watch this one. Great episode!