Ok, the title is just a hair “click-baity”, but the quality of the information and work put into by C&Rsenal is well worth one’s time. Over the last two years, Othias and Mae have been working to catalog the absolute plethora of weapons used in The Great War (in fact, also partnering another fantastic channel, The Great War for period-specific content).

Latest up is a weapon that is often overlooked, the British Long Lees both Metford and Enfield. The Long Lees were born from a need to provide long-range rifle work and at the same time, but useful when pressed into service with “rapid” fire at shorter ranges.

Perhaps most interesting about the design is that the Long Lees are one of the first rifles to feature a fully detachable magazine, which ultimately was not used. When the rifle was adopted and implemented, it was the intent that the soldier would carry an extra detachable magazine. Sadly, and to the detriment of small arms development, this was not fielded enmasse.

Fair warning, this episode is nearly one and a half hours long, but is well worth the watch for anyone enjoying firearms development history. In true C&Rsenal form, the video includes detailed history, animations, and shooting with Mae. Enjoy!