The Armourer's Bench

The Armourer's Bench

The Armourer’s Bench is a multimedia project using both video and written articles to showcase the history of some of the world’s most interesting and important firearms. We will be bringing you detailed examinations of historic and modern small arms from around the world as well as occasionally looking at larger weapon systems. We will delve into the history, use and operation of the weapons using videos, articles and high resolution images to tell their story.

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The Armourer's Bench
  • Walk Around - M3 Stuart - WW2's Workhorse Light Tank

    Recently I had a chance to get up close with an M3 Stuart light tank, so here's a short video about its features and role in World War Two!

    Thanks to @merlinmediaproductions for extra footage, check out Adam's channel!

    Be sure to check out our accompanying article for this video here -
    http...

  • Mine Satchel Charges

    In recent weeks there have been a spate videos showing Russian troops using TM-62 anti-tank mines as improvised satchel charges. We've already seen TM-62s used as drone dropped munitions and as demolition charges. The videos shared most recently show the dramatic effect that the TM-62s can have o...

  • Ukraine Captured a Russian Turtle Tank

    In mid-June Ukrainian troops captured a prime example of Russia's Turtle Tanks. In this video we take a look at how it came to be captured and look at how the counter-FPV shell was built and that tank's features.

    Be sure to check out our accompanying article for this video here -
    https://armou...

  • Chinese Type 69 RPGs in Ukraine

    There are a myriad of different types of RPG-7 in use in Ukraine, the Chinese Type 69 is one of the rarest.

    Be sure to check out our accompanying article for this video here -
    https://armourersbench.com/

    Check us out on the History of Weapons & Warfare video streaming app - https://www.weapon...

  • FAMAS in Ukraine

    Since September 2023 there have been scattered sighting of French FAMAS F1 Valorise rifles in service with the Ukrainian armed forces. In this video we'll take a look at all available imagery of the rifles in theatre.

    Be sure to check out our accompanying article for this video here -
    https://...

  • Hands On: UK's New L403A1 / KAC KS-1

    At SHOT Show 2024 I have the chance to take a look at the L403A1, the UK's newest service carbine, the Alternative Individual Weapon, which is an adapted Knight's Armament Company KS-1.
    Check out my earlier video for more detail on the L403A1 - https://www.weaponsandwar.tv/videos/project-hunter

    ...

  • Ukraine's Grad Rocket Firing Sea Drones

    Ukraine's unmanned surface vessels (drone boats) continue to evolve with a newly confirmed variant equipped with six 122mm Grad rocket tubes. In this video we take a look at how they might be employed

    Be sure to check out our accompanying article for this video here -
    https://armourersbench.c...

  • Is The Tide Turning Against Russia's Turtle Tanks?

    We continue our series of videos tracking appearances of Russia's tanks equipped with counter-FPV shells - the Turtle Tanks. In the past week there have been a growing number of videos showing the tanks being successfully engaged. Which raises the question: has the tide turned on the Turtle Tanks...

  • Russia's GP-25 Shotgun Adaptor

    Drones have come to define the war in Ukraine with both sides making prolific use of the them for observation and ordnance delivery. Both sides have struggled to find adequate countermeasures for the drone threat but most recently several Russian companies have developed some innovative solutions...

  • Russia's Turtle Tanks Are Evolving

    Russia's 'Turtle Tanks' are continuing to evolve and proliferate to other sectors of the frontline. In this comprehensive video we examine sightings of the 'Tsar Mangal' tanks, their variations and how they have continued to evolve.

    Be sure to check out our accompanying article for this video he...

  • Super Soldiers of the SAS

  • Russia's Turtle Tanks

    Two weeks ago, we looked at a curious in-field adaptation carried out by a Russian unit operating near Krasnohorivka. A T-72 had been near totally enclosed by sheet metal to protect it from FPV drones. Various imagery showed the tank encased in a trapezoidal steel structure, giving the vehicle t...

  • Ukrainian Troops Training with British SA80s

    The UK has been providing training to Ukrainian personnel in the UK, in some of the videos and photos showing their training it appears that in addition to the AK pattern rifles provided by the UK the Ukrainians have been using the British SA80 / L85 bullpup rifle in some of their training.

    Be s...

  • M203 and Swedish K Manuals

    A quick look at a couple of recent additions to the TAB Reference Collection: a 1979 dated Colt M203 grenade launcher manual and a 1959 dated Irish Defence Force manual for the Carl Gustaf m/45 submachine gun!

    Be sure to check out our accompanying article for this video here -
    https://armourers...

  • LMT M203 Grenade Launchers in Ukraine

    So far we've seen plenty of interesting grenade launchers in Ukraine, recently another interesting and rarely seen grenade launcher has begun to appear - LMT's standalone 40mm M203.

    Be sure to check out our accompanying article for this video here -
    https://armourersbench.com/

    Check us out on ...

  • Seized Iranian Weapons for Ukraine

    The U.S. government announced, on 9 April, the transfer of enough small arms to equip a brigade to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The weapons originate from the arms shipments that the US Navy and allies have seized in recent years thousands of weapons and millions of rounds of ammunition which have...

  • Ukraine: Rifle Periscopes Return

    With the war in Ukraine's current trench-bound stalemate often resembling the First World War it isn't too surprising to see an early 20th century innovation making a comeback. Several variations on the concept of a periscope rifle have been seen in Ukraine since the summer of 2023.

    Be sure to c...

  • Swedish K m/45As in Ukraine - Update!

    A few of weeks ago I published an article/video detailing the appearance of Swedish Carl Gustaf m/45 submachine guns in Ukraine. One notable feature of the guns was that their configuration appeared to sit somewhere between the m/45A and the m/45B. In this video we examine why!

    Be sure to check ...

  • Ukraine's Handheld FPV Killer?

    A small, hand-held shotgun-like device has been suggested as an anti-drone weapon. With the massive increase in UAV and FPV use a small handheld, lightweight, last-ditch, defensive weapon could be a sensible answer to a urgent and difficult problem.

    Be sure to check out our accompanying article ...

  • Ukraine's ASRAAM Franken-SAM

    Earlier this week, 8 February, the first clear footage of the UK developed and supplied AIM-132 ASRAAM-based air defence system appeared. In this video we take a look at the system and the available evidence of its use.

    Be sure to check out our accompanying article for this video here -
    https:/...

  • The RPG-7's Big Brother - Russia's Rare RPG-16 In Ukraine

    One of the rarer Russian anti-armour weapons to surface during the ongoing war in Ukraine is the RPG-16. Developed in the late 1960s it remained in service into the 1990s but in recent months have re-entered frontline service.

    Be sure to check out our accompanying article for this video here -
    ...

  • RBS-17 Ukraine

    In June 2022 Sweden announced it would provide Robot-17 (RBS-17) coastal defence missiles to Ukraine. They've since been seen on a handful of occasions in theatre.

    Be sure to check out our accompanying article for this video here -
    https://armourersbench.com/

    Check us out on the History of Wea...

  • The Rarest Grenade Launcher In Ukraine

    Remarkably, a rare prototype Colt stand-alone stock chassis for the M203 40mm grenade launcher has been spotted in Ukraine.

    Be sure to check out our accompanying article for this video here -
    https://armourersbench.com/

    Check us out on the History of Weapons & Warfare video streaming app - htt...

  • German HK MG5s in Ukraine

    Since September we've begun to see substantial number of Heckler & Koch MG5s with Ukrainian special operations teams, predominantly those under GUR direction. The MG5 is one of the newest machine guns to see service in Ukraine and according to official German source only 100 have been transferred...