When is an Enfield a Mauser? With weapons and firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson 

This new backdrop has given Jonathan even greater powers of charisma and authority, really liking it.

I’d pay good money for an audiobook of this man just talking about old rifles for an hour.

Q: When is a Springfield a Mauser? A: Always

Hi Johnathan, I've always wondered if there are any documented uses of the volley fire sights in combat? It doesn't seem that practical in a real world setting.

i love the woodwork on these. especially on the model 1913, so gorgeous.

Jon talking about hitscan guns in games makes me want a purely virtual version of the Royal Armouries that has a catalogue of guns in games. Imagine someone going and ripping gun models from the various guns through gaming history then putting them in VR format for visitors of the museum to go and fire them on a range. Not factoring the development costs of this project (let's assume it's a donation to the historical society) it would be a good way to generate some funds for the museum. It would be EVEN COOLER if you could get notes from the devs on each gun, or concept art and such. Imagine being able to go to the Halo exhibit or something and seeing the evolution of the pistol.

Thank you for the lecture, British Forgotten Weapons guy

Thanks Jonathan and team, that was informative and entertaining. In the 1990's I was a rifle club treasurer at Harwell and my club had three 7.62 mm converted P14's as full bore target rifles for the shorter ranges.

What a nice chequering on that 1912 prototype! Also, nearly 849 m/s doesn't sound that great until you consider the bullet weight of 10.69 g, resulting in a 3852.14 J of muzzle energy. This figure is in the ballpark of modern hunting loads of .30-06, not the M1906, which developed its 823 m/s (although from a somewhat shorter barrel) with a 9.72 g bullet, thus having about 3291.82 J of muzzle energy. I'm not really sure how one can just 'skip' several decades of gunpowder development in several years to get .276 to viability in military service.

I purchased a P14 within the last year, so I’m really glad you made a video about its development and history. Thanks Jonathan and merry Christmas!

You and Ian From Inrange TV are an absolute gem. Not only are you showing how awesome weapons are, you are showing those who are new to firearms, that they are not what they seem. Especially the gamer community.

C&Rsenal has episodes on both the P14 and the P17, I would recommend everyone that's interested in military history to check them out. Plus the show is presented by a Wookiee.

I didn't realize that it was actually based on the Springfield. That's just funny. Pity we decided to standardize in the 1903 after the war. Though the U.S. did eventually go with the Garand by WW2 so ehh. 🤷‍♂️

This series really is so good, history and mechanical engineering explained in an easily understood way by someone both expert and enthusiastic.

I have a question regarding firearms maintenance in a museum - If something comes in with repairable and unintentional mechanical defects (so not intentionally demilitarised), as a museum would you fix or improve it's functionality? If so, is there a certain criteria beyond which you wouldn't intervene to restore it to full function? Very much appreciate Jonathan's input even though I have never interacted with firerarms (my country is funny that way), I have always been fascinated by the engineering and mechanical side. Thank you for taking time to make content on such interesting firearm stories.

Always interesting to hear about the development and half-step design changes accumulate to see how the (eventually) iconic designs are arrived at.

As always, it´s great to get some background and history behind the items you display in these short videos. I must say that you do a really great job :)

My favorite series on RU-vid right now thank you Jonathan and the Royal armories

I spend 5 years studying gunsmithing in Uherský broad at CZ school, part of the CZ factory. I don't do it for life but I know at least something. And it is such a nice change to hear someone who knows about guns talk in such simple and understandable way opposed to some dude reading a script he knows nothing about. Hats off mister

Excellent, and didn't spare the important but brutal details. THANKS!

The quality of the Royal Armouries videos have jumped up recently and its great to see and hear x

Great improvement on the setting for your video. It meets the security parameters that you were previously concerned with, and gives the viewer a much more enjoyable viewing experience. It projects a professional and authoritative image to support your knowledge base, and subject matter.

It’s interesting that the British went back toward a longer heavier rifle with the P14. I believe the ballistics won out over ergonomics. The Americans on the other hand went shorter and handier with the Springfield 1903. The irony is most Americans ultimately were issued long heavy M17’s and the British ended up with handier SMLE’s. In my entirely irrelevant opinion, I would have liked to carry a shorter, lighter M17.

Love the work! Keep it coming!

It brings me immeasurable joy to see content about these rifles. I've been collecting 14s and 17s for the better part of a decade now, one of these days I'll track down a 13 for the collection. I know there are a handful stateside in private hands.

Great video! Thanks very much.

Excellent video as always! Was wondering if its possible to make the audio louder though, sometimes watching those in public with a headset on mobile and its kind a hard to hear Jonathan's soothing voice even on max volume.

Great presentation. I’ve owned both the P17 and the M1903A3 back when they were cheap. Both kick like a mule with that steel buttplate and powerful 30-06 round. I really like the Enfield No 4 Mark 1 the best of all early to mid-century military bolt guns. I still have that one of those.

In the late 1950s my father "sportified" a .303 pattern 14, and a .30'06 Pattern 17, both made by Winchester. I preferred the pattern 14 and used it for many years. It accounted for many feeds of venison.

Jonathan could we have some close up of the different rifles and some disassembly please, so we can see how the various iterations have the small differences betweens them

To be honest, most of the time I have no idea what Johnathan is talking about but I just love listening to him talk.

For me the most beautifull bolt action riffle ever designed. Slick lines. Simply a work of art

That room your in is a gun lovers dream come true. Thanks for the info

Finally got Jonathan a good table and a better camera!!

I recently got my hands on the US Enfield book by Ian Skennerton. It is so nice to see the rifles on video, thank you very much!

Always a pleasure.

Great video! I love my P14, its almost perfect in condition and still has the volley sights. I suspect it must have left England before the Weedon Repair Standard but I have been unable to figure out where it might have gone. I suspect the Spanish Civil War!

jonathan seems to have enjoyed a sunny holiday, he looks quite tanned!

Good presentation man

prior to watching your video I watched a video on the production of the M1917 which was filmed in 1918 very interesting along with yours.

A friend has a 1917. Only things that have been replaced on it are things like the magazine base plate and barrel bands. Barreled receiver is dated May 1918. Magnificent firearm.

great video

Love those Berettas in the back too!

I can only imagine the glorious smell (in a none perv way ) of your filming location. Great vid there.

Coolest, setup, ever 👉 All the rifles, just standing in the back 👌👌👌 The star of the show is, as promised, a very interesting piece of weaponry 👍

very nice

One of the few people I click like before I even watch the vid Always enjoy 👍

oooh i'de love one of those , love mauser actions.. my springer a3 was a kick as gun, got it out to the bull at 900 yds at Stickledown by aiming over(sigh only does 800yds)

Honestly, the 1903 is so smooth on cocking that it eliminates any advantage cock-on-close has over cock-on-open. I think cock-on-close has an advantage over an actual German K98 which is a substantially rougher action, but the US refinement of the action turns that on its head. I own two 1903A3 actions as well as two Mauser 98's, one German the other Turkish. And, while not an Enfield, I do own a Japanese Type 99 so I have experience with a cock-on-close Mauser. There is no slowdown caused by the smooth camming of the 1903, but the Mausers cause a definite slowdown and there is a noticeable slowdown caused while closing the Type 99. I thus must conclude that the 1903's improved camming is superior to both.

Interesting vid. :-)

You could say that, Ian's channel sent me over here? You guys all seem to cross each other's paths, alot. Anyways, personally, I would consider the P-14/M1917 to be better than the 1903 Springfield or the SMLE? Basically the reason is better rear sights. Course, that's just my opinion. Great channel, you have.

I've always thought the 10 rounds over 5 was a huge bonus, so I've always wondered why they didn't try and keep that feature.

Great video! Whats the rifle thats hanging on the far right?

My uncle Arthur was the hunter in the family. After he got back from Occupation duty in Germany (His company commander promised him sergeant stripes if he'd volunteer to extend his tour), he bought a M1917 from the Civilian Marksmanship Program with the intent of converting it to a hunting rifle. Well, one thing followed another and 27 years later, as a graduation and commissioning gift, I got the rifle - with bayonet, still slathered is cosmoline, still in its packing crate. It took me about a year to clean all the gunk off and I then had it checked by a gunsmith to make sure it was in a condition to be fired. It is marked "Eddystone" which was a plant built by Remington outside of Philadelphia specifically to build P14's. They hired a retired US Army Colonel to manage it - guy by the name of John Taliaferro (pronounced "Tolliver") Thompson - yes, he of the gun. "World War I began in Europe in 1914, and Thompson was sympathetic to the Allied cause. Since the U.S. did not immediately enter the war, and because he recognized a significant need for small arms in Europe (as well as an opportunity to make a substantial profit), Thompson retired from the Army in November of that year and took a job as Chief Engineer of the Remington Arms Company. While with the company he supervised the construction of the Eddystone Arsenal in Chester, Pennsylvania, at that time the largest small arms plant in the world. It manufactured Pattern 1914 Enfield rifles for British forces, and Mosin-Nagant rifles for Russia. "When the United States finally entered the war in 1917, Thompson returned to the Army and was promoted to the rank of brigadier general. He served as Director of Arsenals throughout the remainder of the war, in which capacity he supervised all small-arms production for the Army. For this service he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal." Anyway, I took my new-old rifle with me when I reported on active duty and, although I was permitted to keep it in my quarters, I preferred to keep in the company arms room. So several days after reporting in, I went to see the armorer. He had no problem making me a weapons card and putting it in the storage racks, but did a double take when he saw the bayonet. "Sir, where did you get this?" ""It came with the rifle. See" I fixed and unfixed the bayonet. "Hold on, sir" He unlocked a footlocker and pulled out the twin to my bayonet. It turns out that when the US Army adopted "Trench Guns" to teach Kaiser Bill a lesson, they specified they accept a bayonet and chose the M1917 as the pattern to adopt for that purpose. So every US martial shotgun adopted since then could mount an M1917 bayonet. Our company had a dozen trench guns to be issued at the commander's discretion. "Look at the manufacturing date, sir" 1967. My, God, WHAT WAS THIS!. Turns out during the Vietnam War there had been a huge demand for Trench Guns, but there weren't enough M1917 bayonets left in inventory, so the production line was restarted. They were identical. down to the two grooves going across the hilt. (www.ima-usa.com/products/u-s-wwi-m1917-enfield-bayonet-with-scabbard?variant=26168932997) Except I think mine was better quality.

Thank you for that. Always wondered why (regarding the two grooves). Looking for a nice 1917 to round off my collection. Subscribed. (Ex. Pat Brit in NY).

My Grandfather, who was decorated in the Boer War, used to say the Boer could light a match at 500 yards. He was decorated for leading a retreat, the way he told it, he stood up, after 1/3rd of his troop had been shot, shouted “Fuck this for a lark ,I’m off” then ran to cover in a rock outcrop and put the Boers under fire. Within 15 minutes the rest of his troop followed.

Lovely rifle!!!

I love my p14. By far the best sights you could have on a standard issued rifle at the time. With the right loads you Just print 10 After 10 on the target.

Britain’s cordite propellant with the proposed 7mm cartridge for the P13 caused the pressure and heat issues

Do y'all have the SAR21 in the museum by any chance

My P14 still shoots like a dream.

I have a few of them and even built my custom hunting rifle in 7mm/06 and it's accurate and deadly and probably the best action to build on if you find one already sportered

The background is awesome. Some kind of royal looking lapel pin or a necklace like from the armorer guy in John Wick would be a nice touch, I think. Background music would be nice too. Something stately maybe a light British Grenadiers tone. Drums and flutes. Hope my input helps.

I thought this would be about the Turkish Mauser-Enfield frankengun. Would be nice to see a video of that in the future if you have one 😀

I have an original M1917 and it's big and heavy but it is certainly pleasant to shoot. Mine apparently didn't get heavily used and has a very good bore which is very accurate.

Its nice to see 2 of the guns I used to own being represented behind you ;P Moschetto 1891 and M95

I could listen to this sort of stuff for ages. I was a bit distracted by the racks behind as I was looking for a rifle I donated to the armouries years ago. (BSA1215). A bit needle in a haystack, I know.

My SMLE MK3 STAR puts allot of rounds downrange fast, part action part ten round mag. Love those aperture sights though

Hard to argue. While I love my 1903 Springfield, my 1917 is still more accurate and much more ergonomic making it great at the range. It’s heavier for sure, but not terribly so and the sights are a huge improvement over the 1903. Nothing beats my Jungle Carbine for pure fun though 😅

Well Jonathan Ferguson in the Call Of Duty Vanguard video you did with the players custom weapons there is the wire stock that you had for the sten in the game

I wish each episode he would randomly turn and pick up a bonus gun and give a quick breakdown

Cool

I have a 1941 K98K and a Lithgow 1942 No.1 Mk III* and I have shot both of them a fair amount. Both are still in military pattern. I agree with Jonathan that the Enfield is just a little bit faster to work than the Mauser especially after the Mauser heats up. Except for the length the M1917 was one of the best rifles in W W I. Edit: LOL I wrote this and then Jonathan said it. The USA encountered the the Mauser in Spanish 7mm in 1898 and were very impressed by it. I have read that the USA paid Mauser #200,000 for the 1903 action. If you put a 06 and a 98 side by side the actions are exactly a like. I have done that. Nice background Jonathan.

I love the M1917; it feels solid and robust. I don’t mind the extra weight as I’m not a GI lugging it around in combat. The sights are phenomenally easier to see than the M1903’s; the latter can be difficult to align even in daylight.

What I like about my 03-A3 is after loading 5 rounds in the magazine. I put a sixth round in the chamber and pulling the trigger while gently closing the bolt. The bolt itself decocks

I enjoyed this program. I had an opportunity to shoot an M1917 back in the seventies, and loved it. I regret to this day that I didn't take my friend up on the opportunity to buy it from him. At the time we were both university students and needed any money above and beyond what part time jobs and the US Veteran's Admin were paying us. He raised it by selling the rifle, I saved money by not buying it. The feature that I liked the most of that rifle was the sights. Very Good sights. Easier to operate than the sights on the 03-A3 and far easier and less complex than the 03-A1. The thing that I liked least was the long barrel. I'm sure it gave more velocity, and better reach with a bayonet, but I'd rather have one a couple of inches shorter.

Ah yes, the *Mausfield* 👏

Any chance of a video on the two 6.25mm EM-2s? I don't know how much information is out there about them, I know we've briefly talked about them before. Also the "sniper" EM-2s would make for an interesting brief video, I'm curious about how durable that optic actually was under testing. Also this format is very good.

The crooked bolt handle isn't there to put the bolt handle close to the firing hand, it's simply a bonus feature of it's intended design. The reason it exists has to do with the noticeable absence of the third "safety" lug of a Mauser type action on that rifle, the bolt handle of the P14/US 1917 rifle doubles as the third lug known as the "safety lug" on Mauser type actions. Things like the firing hand being closer to the bolt handle and not having to modify the bolt handle for a scope are several bonuses of that feature that people have incorrectly attributed as to why the bolt handle was designed that way when in fact it was to act as the safety lug of a Mauser type action. The third lug of a Mauser type action which is found on the bolt just forward of the back of the receiver opening (when the bolt is closed) is there as a last resort to stop the bolt from embedding itself in the shooter's face in the event of the two main lugs failing, since the third lug has nothing to do with head spacing and therefore don't require an exact fitment there's always a generous space between the back edge of it and the opening in the receiver it's supposed to engage in the event of the two locking lugs failing, if you look at the crooked bolt handle of the P14/US 1917 rifle you'll see that when it's closed the bolt handle is recessed into an area of the receiver duplicating the effect of the third lug of a Mauser type action without the extra work of having to machine the third lug on the bolt, everything else like the firing hand being closer to the bolt handle and scopes being able to be mounted without modification to the bolt handle are just added bonuses.

I have a M1917 Eddystone made. It shoots better than my springfield and my M-1. The heavy barrel is the real reason it shoots so well. Shooting steel gongs at 300 yards is an eye opener for my grandson with a rifle more than a centery ord.

All vids should have johnathin in white gloves. He's like a game cube boss!! 🎮

Do you have an example of an M21 sniper rifle (not XM21, specifically a post-1975 M21)? I've been looking of a photo of the receiver markings for ages to no avail.

Out of curiosity, had Enfield introduced pyrometers during production of barrels by this point? If they hadn't, and were still using the eye ball to gauge the steel it might explain the metallurgy problems which IIRC Springfield had adopted [the use of pyrometers] prior to the 03 entering full production

Jonathan still recovering from that vangaurd gunsmith vid on GameSpot

Excellent video. Would you make a video on sniper rifles for 1st or 2nd World War please? And or the best since. Thanks for posting.

were they messing around with the em .280 idea at the same time?

I'm guessing the size and shape and geometry of those base plates at the five round magazines suggests that extended to ten wouldn't have been such a challenge..?

Every time I see the background I wonder if there is an Anschutz mod 54 over your right shoulder.

So impressive,amazing guns!as a manufacturer for CO2 cartridge for airgun, I love this vedio!

A very interesting bit of info but I gotta say what is that funky looking rifle on the far right of the screen?

Imagine if this wasn't the Rayol Armouries Museum in the background and it was actually Jonathan's gun nerd apartment.

I completely agree, that the M1917 was the best rifle of the First World War. I love the controlled round feed of Mausers, but also love cock-on-close (I agree with Johnathan, they are faster), and the M1917 combined both of those features, with a thoroughly modern (for the time) cartridge.

I'm very curious about those black rifles off to your left shoulder. They look like something AR-18 related that was trialed by the Aussies before they selected the AUG. But they don't look exactly like what I think they are.

Just a thought. The .276 Enfield appears to have been roughly comparable to the .270 Winchester that came out in the mid-'20's. It would be interesting to rebarrel a Model 1917 to .270 and see what it could do as an analog for the P13.

can you talk about the canadian ross rifle?

I love my Mauser but the SMLE action does seem faster. Sounds like a cock-on-closing Mauser action is the best of both worlds.

I think the 276 would have been a great round if loaded down for infantry, to increase barrel life and snipers could carry full power loads for flat shooting long range shots

I dont know if you guys already have a video on it, or if it has been showcased in a GameSpot video or something like that, but would you guys have a De Lisle Carbine in the collection? I'd love to come and visit you guys, but alas, im on the wrong side of the Pond.

I own a P14 and a lee Enfield no4 mark 2. Both are awesome but would love a SMLE. The 14 is a but heavy but do find it is a but more accurate.

what is the rifle on the rightmost part of the video on the racks? sort of reminds me of a Leader Dynamics T2