The No 1, Mk III* Short, Magazine, Lee Enfield (SMLE): Musketry of 1914 - PART FOUR "B"
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We finish the examination of the Mad Minute as a Feat of Arms or Rapid Fire Demonstration and wrap up the series with a a short conclusion.
"Shooting Power"- Dr Spencer Jones
bjmh.org.uk/in...
"The Influence of the Boer War on the Tactical Development of the British Army" - Dr Spencer Jones
bootcampmilita...
"From Drill to Doctrine" - Nick Evans
kclpure.kcl.ac...
For your Martini and Snider needs email Martyn at xringservices@yahoo.com
And for further reading on all British Victorian (and earlier) arms stop by the British Militaria Forum and say hello. britishmilitari...
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.
Thank you for sharing!
BRAVO! Enjoyed every installment tremendously. Very much appreciated!
Glad to hear!
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.
Hopefully this two part,... part, will clear up a lot regarding rapid fire of the era.
Another great video. Historical shooting like this should forever be preserved.
Thanks!
An extremely interesting and enjoyable series, thank you very much!
You are most welcome.
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.
Thank you Michael! It has been a fun project for sure.
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...
Perhaps, but not by much...!
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
I have them on a scrap piece of paper Mark... I'm just away from that "scrap" right now... can I get it to you later?
Outstanding, no rush of course. Eventually, take a pic of the dwg and email to markfixesguns@gmail.com that would be swell, thanks
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!
I think you will find his proper title is Lord McBlock of Helvetia.
McBlock Ref: th-cam.com/video/E6LrYNZOBHk/w-d-xo.html
Been using a smle since i was 10 now 68 never had rimlock, i always use commonwealth ammo , that may account for it.
Another outstanding video my friend! Keep up the great work!
Thanks Eric!
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.
Thank you Mark.
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!.
Thank you!
Amazing editing
Glad you enjoyed it!
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!
Haha! Thank you for your kind words. Glad you enjoyed things!
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.
Quick answer,..... yes,..... actually working on some projects right now.....
A quick answer from British Muzzle Loaders? Well I never... Looking forward to the surprise!
Have enjoyed the series enormously. Thanks.
Thank you!
Appreciated the explanation and demonstration of the deviations. And, your shooting is very impressive.
Thank you!
Excellent work Rob!
Thanks Brett.
Thanks Rob. Another great and informative video.
Cheers!
What a fantastic shooting range. Nothing to compare with it here(UK).
wonderful series thank you
You are welcome.
Superb work!
Cheers!
Also, Ian Hogg has a lot to answer for... I spent the last 30 years unlearning some of his "facts"
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!
New brass would make a bit of a difference for sure... The chargers are all tuned, by tension and inner surface polishing.
Another amazing SMLE video. Keep it up
Cheers!
Definitive series!
Thank you!
Your 3rd attempt at the mad minute gave some sense of suspense in this video
I was cheering that you're going to make it.
It wasn't 38, but it's was a decent effort, if I do say so myself...
Interesting history thanks
Thank you!
I'm suprised you survived this video. After the "ping" at 10:56 I would have thought you'd be charged and bayonetted by an enemy soldier.
I know!
WOW ROYAL NAVY HEART OF OAK
In my experience I find pulling my hand back to the grip and pulling the trigger with the trigger finger is just as fast or a tad faster than the ring finger technique as I fumble it less. Also the pulling the trigger with the ring finger offers worse trigger control and you have a worse grip so worse accuracy. Thus in net I find the rapid movement between grip and bolt preferable.
Like I mentioned,... whatever technique was used, the shooter was intimately familiar with it.
Nice video👍👍
Thank you!
Any chance of a "buddy system" having been used? Where as assistant would slam the next charger home so the shooter could maintain cheek weld/aim and reduce those reload splits to get those 35+ round minutes?
No chance, I'm afraid...
Seaforth Highlanders aye lovely
Cheers!
@@britishmuzzleloaders haha yes a good choice indeed
you should try to find a ross rifle and do a video on that and it compared to the smle
That will be the subject of a future video....
Would it be possible that in future you may do at least one episode on the Ross?
Yes,...
Get site instructive and entertaining
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks.
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!
Thank you very much.
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.
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.
Thank you very much indeed.
I think everyone who sub's this channel can agree with this sentiment.
Some say talking to oneself is a sign of madness ,here it is good madness.
Then I am indeed mad many times over...
inherently we're all barmy for believing holding and firing an exploding stick won't kill us most of the time
Sometimes the only way to get a sensible answer
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.
Perhaps.... lot's of interesting stuff in that era for sure.
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?
Don't worry, I've had a set of P37 since I was a kid.... :-)
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?
I suppose that my Canadian heritage might come into play at that point...
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.
Thank you, kindly!
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.
He was so young in SA he lasted a good ling time... He passed away on VE Day...
His work was done
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 :)
Thank you kindly!
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: th-cam.com/video/vFhWzD03QUs/w-d-xo.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.
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.
The brass tends to be a bit fat, yes,.... the rifle, however, is great.
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.
Thank you very much. Glad you enjoyed it!
Like all classic's these videos leave you wanting more, and guessing (and hoping for) when the next one is coming. Click like then relax and watch.
Thanks Andy.
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.
You are most welcome! Cheers.
Love the SMLE.
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
It would certainly be a stretch!
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.
"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
I would consider 30 accurate shots at 300 yds & open sites damn good with a semi automatic rifle.
Yes it would be.
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 !!!!!!!!!
Thank you!
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!
Thanks Daniel!
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.
th-cam.com/video/ziGow3CLalo/w-d-xo.html
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...
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.
Glad you enjoyed the series! Cheers.
After this much time, work, and dedication to early 20th century musketry you should found a new group called “Edwardian Rifleman”
Doesn't quite have the same ring to it though,.... :-)
That firing technique that showed must be painful after a while? Thank you for the series. Shoot faster, was funny.
Cheers!
Well done on a good series, well made. Don't suppose you went to the Waterloo 200'th in your 2015 Travels?
I was there as a spectator, yes.
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...
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.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you.
Simply brilliant. Exemplary efforts equal an exemplary result.
Thank you.
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 TH-cam.
Typical in rapid fire in the day. As attested to by my grandfather and he should have known. He was there.
Thank you for all the time you put into research and presentation.
You are welcome!
excellent video and series over all. such an in depth and thorough look into marksmanship. thanks for this.
Thanks!
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....
And the graciousness of your prompt reply is most kind too. :D
You should consider editing these fantastic episodes together and doing a dvd release . Bravo from an ex jock!!! Cuidich na-righ
Perhaps... I can just barely keep up production as it is, though...
Epic, Rob and farewell to the old contemptibles.
Thanks Stephen!
Well done! Many thanks, Robert.
Thank you!
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,
Glad you enjoyed them! Cheers.
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”)
Ever see a Mk1 Charger in Canada? I was digging around in my junk the other day and found a MkIII, that I think is semi-rare.
No, but I don't go looking for that stuff..
Am i the only one who gets the sudden urge to clean my Enfields when watching these? Thank you for another great video.
Wanna clean mine?... :-)
I'll clean your Martini Henry, but you probably wouyldn't get it back.
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.
Thanks Derrick!
Excellent video. Thankyou
You are most welcome!
Outstanding work...Thank you very much for the series...
Thank you very much.
Those poor guys. But at least they aren’t peeling potatoes.
I fear there are facing somewhat worse,...... :-)
Can you find royal navy/royal marine musketry
Can I find it? I haven't looked.
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.
You are most welcome... It was fun, every minute of it.
Great series. Well done Sir. Well done.
Thank you!
Thank you for your videos. As always in depth but very accessible.
Glad to hear! Thanks.
Love your work Rob, 30 is godlike in my eyes! Id probably manage 15! Mind you, I dont have any stripper clips, well i do have one but it broke the first time i loaded it! One day...
HI there. Glad you enjoyed it! Keep practicing...
Amazing series, Rob.
Thanks!
I think you have a video about ammunition you use? I wonder if I should use modern 303 in my no1 or not?
I see the video over there >>> ;)
Have a look in the Ammunition Playlist on the Channel.
Your skills at making effect but simple things is really pleasing.
Glad you approve. Thanks.
britishmuzzleloaders sorry if I came across as condescending, I just really like that barricade you made, its really cool.
All I can do is echo what others have already said and say thank you for these excellent videos and all of your hard work.
Thanks!
Great series. Keep up the good work!
Thanks!
Amazing series Rob, keep up the great work
Thanks!
Marvelous work sir, now its time to bring up ww2 muskerty regulations :D with the no4 mk1
I disagree. In many respects (including musketry) World Wars One and Two were quite similar. I would recommend redoing this series (or perhaps an earlier series) with rifles that normally would not have fired (perhaps because they were already out of service) this schedule of firing and training.
Rob: Good Job, man.
The musketry regs for 1939 are a good deal more comprehensive... there were more weapons that needed to be shot... conversely, the rifle portion was somewhat diminished in conventional wrong work but greatly improved in practical shooting over that of 1914...
I still can't believe the quality and effort that is put into these videos! You, sir, never cease to amaze me!
Thank you very much!
When can we expect some DVDs? That would be super
I can't guarantee anything... barely keeping current productions going... :-)
Superb, thank you
Cheers!
Damned impressive. All of it.
Thanks for chasing every last detail.
Looking forward to the next series, whatever it may be.
Thank you!
The best gun-chanel I know👍. (And they are many)
Very kind of you to say so. Thank you.
Fantastic work again Rob. Well done, Sir!
Would the age of the rifle have affected your rate of fire, do you think?
Doubt it. Mine is in pretty much top condition.
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!
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.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks.
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!
Great!
Their name liveth for evermore.
Indeed...
How many hours do you spend to produce a video like this?
great work. thx
Cheers.
Can you imagine training soldiers now!!??. I grew up shooting. Got my first pellet rifle at ten. Was not in the military. My,respect to ALL who have served. I was a Max security Correctional Officer. Nothing compared to what our Military does. I can’t imagine teaching shooting skills to cadets/recruits who have never held a firearm. God bless you all
Can you imagine?...... Soldiers are trained all the time how to shoot... Not really following...
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.
There is plenty of shooting in this series. Part 3 (A-D) covers the actual course and qualifications.
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.