Well done Rob, the long hours and amazing effort you have put into this series has produced what must be the ultimate guide to this period in history. It really was the ultimate and final period for bolt action arms.
As a subscriber, all I can say is *thank you* for all the effort you put into your content. Your dedication to researching this material (and not just this topic, but so many others as well) is remarkable to say the least. Thoroughly well presented, each time!
I am glad to see someone (indeed anyone) refer not to popular books, which often contain unsubstantiated comments from earlier, but to get the original facts. Testing what appears to original is a great thing. Sometimes what appeared to be honest fact has been skewed in publication.
30 round is already an impressive feat, you have demonstrated throughout the series just how professional the early war BEF was~ I thoroughly enjoyed the entire series, you are a credit to the youtube historic firearms community :)
Rob the amount of work that must go into this series is mind blowing. Great videos, good shooting, what else can we ask for. Throw the history in and wow. Just thanks Rob.
Yet another excellent video. I just realised that former Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne (of Rorke's Drift fame) was Adjutant of the School of Musketry at Hythe from 1893-1907 and of the school of Musketry Dublin from 1914-18.
I really can't praise this series (and the rest of your videos) enough. Such a fantastic blend of history, humour, and great shooting. It's really quite marvellous to see someone with a such passion and enthusiasm for the subject who also goes to great lengths to be factual, and well researched. Tip of the old slouch hat to you my friend, if you ever happen to find yourself in the mystical land of Aus, I'd be only too happy to buy you a beer somewhere.
The effort you put in this series rivals that of a TV show it feels so professional yet friendly approaching, the editing is clean cutting and precise, the uniforms are accurate and pristine, and finally the amount of research that goes into each video is enough alone for a college course. Keep up the good work from Armani R.
On the subject of sources, I came across a book some years ago as when I was a very wet-behind-the-ears cadet. It was called (if I recall correctly) "With British Snipers to the Reich" by Capt. C. Shore (really). Mainly a collection of anecdotes written by a veteran RAF Regiment sniper shortly after the war (mid 50s maybe).If my memory serves, he discusses the mad minute 'demonstrations' including names, ranges, and groups. He also mentions that the best performances came from a P13. He also mentioned that even while out on operations, he enjoyed polished his brass (oooo er), because he felt that a) it loaded more smoothly, and b) it looked nice and reassuring. I imagine similar tactics might help weed out deformed or rough cases and maybe help reduce split times. Lastly, he mentions that as snipers they would have the pick of the most naturally accurate rifles. I imagine that the Snoxalls of the world would likewise have had the most accurate and smoothest rifles, with the sliding faces polished to within an inch of their lives. And I doubt they'd be using old fat brass.Putting all this together, I wouldn't be surprised to see round counts in the high 30s. It seemed to me you didn't give yourself enough credit, as you did seem to suffer a fair few sticky cases etc. Have you got some Bloke somewhere to check your split times, and extrapolate them to find your best possible time? I bet money (say a vintage sniper book and postage to Canada) that you can make 36 with a more polished (in every sense) set up and a smoother rifle. Nice bench by the way, very ingenious. All the best, Gavin.
Dangit, now I'm going to have to binge watch the entire series from start to finish! I need to get my No1MkIII* up to snuff; it runs all right, but shoots a good deal left; I find holding 3 oclock at or just off the edge of a 12" plate at 100 yards seems to put me on target, but the front sight is staked and the rear sight is stiff. Perhaps I'll try different (non surplus) ammo before I go hammering on it. I'd like to complete at the very least practice 22, and perhaps run the gun at a carbine or 3 Gun match at some point. Great series overall; very enjoyable
I would love to see someone competent like yourself run one of our local tac rifle matches; 16" plates at 200-300 yards from several positions: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vFhWzD03QUs.html
Thanks Alex! It was a great project to undertake, for sure... Happy to hear you felt compelled to watch it all again... I hope that it flowed nicely from episode to episode.... Cheers.
I enjoyed this series. Am fascinated how you cloned yourself for multiple placements in some of your scenes and interacted with yourself! I have saved these videos for future viewing, as I own a 1916 Dated SMLE and enjoy firing it.
Are there dimensioned drawings for the parapet bench or is it a one off? The #1 mk3 is probably the only issue rifle ever that could even be handled this way. Lightly oil the rounds? No rimlock? Well done sir....well done as always
As we all know, Lee Enfields don't rimlock. The magic of the Empire's engineering prowess means that it just doesn't happen - our lord Bloke (from The Range) has proven so!
A spectacular series! I've watched every episode the day its come out and have never been disappointed or bored with it! A jolly good show chap! Bravo! Looking forward to seeing what new content you muster up!
Sad to see the series come to an end, but goodness wasn’t it good! Sincere thanks Rob, I can’t begin to imagine the work you put in. Intrigued to know what the next project will be, but if someone ever deserved a rest... Be well sir.
Amazing work! I would like to say thank you for the quality content and information! Your channal is a very useful source for me and my projects! Keep it up Rob.
A great series of videos. My Great Granddad might have been one of those Fusiliers; he survived until 1916 when he was shot through the face and neck and was discharged. My Great Grandmother's brother was not so lucky; he joined up under-aged and was killed in his first week at the front. His body was never found. I think your videos are wonderful tributes to the skills and fortitude of the soldiers of the Empire and Commonwealth. Thank you.
Do you plan to do a similar series on the musketry of the Second World War? This series was the best gun channel series I've ever seen. So much good stuff, so thouroughly researched. I really appreciate you making it.
i reckon if we just start sending Rob bits of Pattern 1937 eventually he will not be able to help himself. :D ps. what is the channels mailing address?
britishmuzzleloaders. i suppose that was to be expected. do you have a battalion preference for the seaforths? from a quick search in ww2 the different battalions of seaforths covered about every theatre and served from begining to end making pinning down a uniform and kit impossible. any ww2 era or theatre preference?
Magnificent. Really interesting, thoroughly and objectively researched and superbly presented. You said you hoped to set the standard for such material. You unquestionably have achieved that. Thank you.
Many thanks for dedicating so much time and effort to this fascinating series. So much research and such high quality videos have made me look forward to each new one, in what could have been a very dry subject, but you ( and MacKenzie ! ) brought it to life, making it very watchable throughout. Cheers.
Hey Ron, all of these Historical videos on rifle musketry have really being interesting , I have a No4 Mk2 made in Fazakerly in December 1954, and take part in compatitions as much as possible, keep up this good work,
Paul Newmarch 🌲🇬🇧📜(“NO#4 MKII STRAIGHT PRECISION BRITISH INSTRUMENT,.!”) MINE IS BEING MOUNTED TO THE NO#32 TELESCOPE, TO CONVERT IT INTO A (T) VERSION,... 💎📜(“ROLLS ROYCE SERVICE, IN A CHAMPAGNE GLASS,.!”) 🌲🇬🇧📜(“CHEERS,.!”) 🌲🇬🇧📜(“GSK/GSQ”)
What a superb series. Truly informative and incredibly detailed with a touch of humour to your presentation to make it easy to watch. First class sir, first class!.
Outstanding video as usual! As a living historian I heard numerous misty eyed tales of the mad minute. As is usually the case, the truth is much more interesting and sheds more light on the humanity of the men we seek to represent than do the stories we were told. Thank you again for your work.
Very Informative and I do believe your method of cycle and fire, could be capable of higher scores provided your brass was in better shape, all in all your a pretty good shot just the same...
the perfect way to finish the series. in times to come i think it will be required viewing for anyone interested in the empires use of firearms in ww1.
A while since the last part, testament to your efforts. Your concern for authenticity is remarkable and surely adds to the quality of the test you underwent. Congratulations on your achievement, God that sounds like a lads school report!
No worries, keep up the good work! Quick question, would you be willing to go beyond the Great War and cover the rifles of the British Empire moving forward? I'd love to see you take on the changes in doctrine and weaponry that the British Army went through leading up to the Second World War and during the Cold War (thinking of Malaya, those Jungle Carbines, mate!). The comparison between the Martinis and Long Lees along with the Jungle Carbines and No4s. I have a voracious appetite for this kind of content and I'm glad you are around to make it.
Fantastic, fantastic job. You should feel very proud of your work and, I hope, realise that there is an audience out there which really values your efforts.
@britishmuzzleloaders Ever since I discovered your channel a few years ago I can say happily that I've seen every video. Ever since I was a schoolboy I've held a mutual fascination with the Great War and the Napoleonic era (I'm now in my mid 30s). Although I was a cadet (shooting the No8 Enfield), as a Londoner firearms have never been part of my day-to-day experience and your channel has been a fantastic way of getting to see things which had previously only been seen in my imagination. Your enthusiasm for the subject is infectious, and it is enormously impressive how articulately and concisely you are able to convey ideas and make your points. Your channel alone has rekindled my interest in the subjects you discuss and has educated me about them enormously. I now find myself reading memoirs and teasing myself about buying an old snider or martini and joining the shooting club at Bisley.
@britishmuzzleloadersNone of the above touched on the incredible job you've done on this SMLE series. From germination of the idea to the delivered videos you have excelled yourself. It is clearly the best resource of its type online but moreover, has been an incredibly enjoyable series of videos to watch. You should feel very proud. Looking forward to your content to come.
Even though this is 6 years old as an animator this has provided me valuable detail and reference for my upcoming uni project so thankyou for going over all this info and sharing it with everyone!
A terrific series of films that will I believe be of lasting value as a reference resource for the SMLE and its associated training and use. A fitting tribute indeed to those men who went off to fight in WW1. Well done indeed.
Bravo Rob. First class Honours for this series. Assuming all Hythe Sergeant Instructors were excellent shots (as they should be) then their averages in a 60 second demonstration will have outliers along the bell curve just through chance. I suspect that Snoxall (surely an East Anglian man?) etc. had shoots where they scored above their norm (and below) so sometimes it all just came together. Doing it on command is another story. Not that I denigrate their sterling efforts, but the outer margins can be 'fliers' that go the right way sometimes. I would be lucky to hit the target with a bayonet on my shooting skills.
That is a great point. Top "scores" were just that,.... the best of all the attempts... from experience, the longer you go into an evaluation like this, the higher the chances of something going wrong...
Great job Rob! I know I am late to the party, but I loved it! Such a good series. I am happy to say: I was well entertained, but more importantly, well informed! Happy to say I always learn something when I tune in! On a side note, I love that you got the patch! You earned it for sure, and I feel it looks quite sharp on ya!
I applaud you not only for your work in researching, preparing and making this epic series, but also in being sure to not accidentally have even one "upskirt shot" in the whole thing. 👏👏👏👏. Seriously, It was really interesting. Good work. You've renewed my interest to get the rifle my grandad would have carried in the Canadian army back in ww2. They're a bit of a tradition for moose hunting out here. Getting replaced by the young guys with win mags and such, but there's been many taken with one, and still are. Our Canadian rangers have just started to replace theirs with a new bolt action.
Thank you for your research and video series on the musketry of 1914. Particularly what the mad minute was and wasn’t. I discovered your show after a discussion with a cousin that collects firearms and militaria drifted to the SMLE. Regrettably at midnight. Anyway it looks like I have quite a bit of catching up to do. Subscribed.
Well that's the legend brought into clear perspective! Given that it's not your 'daily' job, 30 rounds in 1 minute is very impressive, I doff my cap! I've yet to attain that rate on my trusty old 1915 MkIII* BSA, but have been using the load 10 at a time method, I really like the 5 rounds after you've expended your initial 10 method. I'd say faster because of less resistance against the mag spring. I wonder how you would do if you just used fresh, unfettered brass? ..... I also wonder if easing the 'jaws' on the charger would assist, but then it may increase 'rim jam'?....... As ever, enjoyed the video as I have all of them, you make it look easy, which masks the time and effort it takes. Looking forward to your next video!
Well done that man. I'm struggling to express how impressive this whole series has been. For a bloke on his own, the raw effort you've put in here mate.... and yet all that and you only managed 30rpm in full kit! No seriously, a brilliant job sir, your videos make my week. PS. Do you think shirtsleeve order might pick up a round or two? Jackets on for the camera sure, but I could well see them rolling the sleeves up for a demonstration shoot - even as part of the patter "hund now if yas wants ta do th' job proper..."
Thank you for your very kind sentiments, Shane. I wouldn't underestimate the compulsion to wear proper clothing... they just didn't do things in anything but all their clothing... not the style back then... I might see no webbing or equipment but personally, I'd draw the line at shirtsleeves... For practice on their own? More of a case for that, I think, but not for spectators. The tunic isn't really much, if any, impediment....
Well done! The whole series! So now, what’s next? You’ve covered much of the weapons, musketry, and drill of the whole Victorian era. From the early days of the 1830s to the Great War. Perhaps a divergence into the Ross rifle? More kit and accouterments? Perhaps a divergence into the sport of target shooting with military rifles and training rifles of the same era? The UK NRA and DCRA were established to get the TA and Militia Forces of their respective countries on the range more often.
There is still lots to cover in the Victorian era... the Martini, Snider and Metford qualifications come to mind... those will have to be scaled as I don't have access to 800 or 1000yds...
Great story and episode Excellent Shooting my Friend!!!!!!!! Thank You so much for Sharing 👍😎😁🤝 I will be making some new Videos soon too....but I think Your story and Video beats them all.... Let's remember and give respect for all the People that were fighting for Our Freedome !!!!!!!!!
One thing to remember is that the "Mad Minute" is not combat. Nobody is shooting at you. Targets are not falling when hit, and no time is lost finding new targets. It's all part of the general idea of a demonstration by an expert. I have been watching the many videos from BlokeOnTheRange and they fit with that. They also show how semi-automatic rifles changed rapid fire possibilities. The M1 Garand changed so little compared to the bolt-action contemporary rifles.
Before there are any generalizations made about the so called "Mad Minute" the proper context is required. The whole point of these parts is to explain that. If you are referring to the the "Mad Minute" in a historical way, then yes, it very much is "training for combat".... 15 aimed rounds a minute. If you are using the term to describe the hodge podge of rapid shooting performances, then no. The two usages of the term are very distinct. Nobody practiced unlimited rapid shooting as part of military training, but everyone did practice (and most achieved) 15 rounds a minute.
I have recently picked up a 1925 Lithgow SMLE No.1 MkIII* after a week cleaning the rifle and soaking it in oil for a few days I am ready to reassemble it, the mineral spirits I use turned black with grease and sand. I am thinking about putting the mag cutoff in it as it has the cutout on the receiver, bayonet is on order.
After watching your impressive shooting display, it's very hard to believe that anyone could do 36-38 rounds. Seems like additional assistance would be necessary, like someone else charging the rounds
I was thinking about the same, "how could anyone get another full charger into those 60 seconds?" But then I though about world record holders like Jerry Miculek. The level that he and his (not quite) peers are at compared to a person that's merely good is almost unbelievable. To me it's somewhat doubtful if the mythical Snoxall and his rifle was on that level of proficiency and tuning , but perhaps he was the Miculek of the SMLE?
One more charger could be done... a faster rate, not so many little hiccups.... that would get to the Wallingford 36.... but how to squeeze yet two more in... that is a bit of a mystery... was it yet another charger and then only time for two? I don't know.
Actually, I do find it quite believable. To make a better comparison, our host would have to fire the SMLE 5 or 6 days a week for years. Not all of it would be rapid fire, but all would involve muscle memory for clip insertion, bolt cycling, and sight acquisition. Also, it is hard to imagine these instructors not having frequent informal competitions. When going for a record, even just for that school, a rifle would be worked up by an armorer, the clips prepared as noted, and ammo selected. And I have seen (semi-auto) pistol competition shooters shoot at unbelievable rates, with 2 magazine changes from belt position. NOT a direct comparison at all, except ONLY for the blur of precision hand movements. One further point: Timing would be by hand and barked commands, so a slightly longer minute is conceivable.
The only time I've seen that technique of holding the bolt and using your ring finger to fire from a historical video is one of a worker at Long Branch test firing a rifle. It is available on RU-vid.
@Rob, through last night and this morning I think I spent 10 hours watching the lee-enfield playlist before starting the P1853, as that was the first rifle I ever had the oppertunity to use. I still have so much to catch up on but I do not think there is a more complete series on British small arms outside of literature, I know there isn't on youtube, and I say that meaning no offence to bloke on the range of course, haha but thanks again!!
Going "over the top" was known as "paying the butcher's bill", since general Haig was known by the troops and referred to as "Butcher Haig". Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result each time. Again and again, Haig ordered frontal assaults sending tens of thousands of men to their useless deaths. When the attacks invariably failed, he accused the troops of cowardice! He was (imho) certifiably insane. This is why the "old contemptables" disappeared after just four months in the trenches.
"Send out the Army and the Navy. Send out the rank-and-file. Send out the brave territorials they'll facethe danger with a smile. Send out the boys and girls Brigade and I'll keep old England free. Send out my father, my brother, and my mother but for Gawd's sake don't send me." British soldier's song, the Great War
britishmuzzleloaders didn’t want to doubt the quality. Just thought that a brand new rifle of the day may have had a smoother action and less wear than one a hundred years old. Bydand brother! Or Caber feidh if you prefer.... wish I lived in Canada and not Oz so I could do what you do.
Having never handled a brand new SMLE, I can't say for sure, but having handled a few that were well past their prime, mine is seemingly very good. Cheers!
At 12:59 I notice the rear sight has no windage adjustment, how accurate are these at distances of 300 yds? I got my number 1 mark lll* 4 days ago, it was made my BSA in 1941, it had the same non windage adjustable rear sight. I replaced it immediately with an adjustable sight off a disabled .303. This makes me wonder if I should rather have left it as is. Lovely rifle.
