"We are going *waaayyy* back..." **Excitement intensifies**

Ah, so THIS is a Berdan primer!

You briefly mentioned the Russian preference for close combat, and it is worth noting that this preference was long lived and did indeed outlive the Russian Empire itself. Soviet tactical doctrines outlined in the regulations and manuals dictate this clearly, the close combat manual listing three important points on the first page "Move swiftly and stealthily! Throw your grenade far and accurately! Strike with your bayonet and stock surely!" This preference to close combat is once again outlined even more clearly in the infantry combat regulations "at 40 to 50 meters distance from the enemy the squad breaks into determined Battle cry and storms the enemy position and destroys the enemy with hand grenades, with fire at point blank range, and with the bayonet and rifle butts. the light machine gun attacks together with the squad and fires on the move." An interesting side-note I suppose

we really do need a bayonet show. Just call it Pokey Bits.

Russia going bonkers trying to modernize their military arms to the point of adopting 5 rifles over three years and jumping through hoops to get a metallic cartridge industry going, only to have France shortly afterwards go "hey world, guess what?"

can't believe the Berdan was so good they decided to make a Berdan II

26:20 What manner of methamphetamine did they give to the man who managed to fire 28 rounds in a minute with a single shot bolt action?

56:56 New Fact: Imperial Army of Korean Empire also used the seven thousands Berdan Type 2 rifle since they allied with the Russian Empire in 1897. They used it very well until 1902 that they are going to used the Arisaka Type 30 rifle.

Am I the only one who saw Berdan II and though, "How did I miss an episode?!"

“Took a lot of time to construct through various tangents that manage to hit just around the topic” You’ve managed to accidentally describe the mathematical concept behind calculus. Bravo

In the clearing stands a Berdan And a fighter by his trade And he carries the reminders Of every Slav that laid him down Or cut him till he cried out In his anger and his shame "I am leaving, I am leaving" But the fighter still remains.

A friend of mine who is an Aussie Greek Cypriot has a photo of his great grandfather with a Russian Berdan rifle. He asked me a long while back to identify the rifle he was carrying which took a while but I was amazed that he had a Russian Berdan rifle. I assumed that the rifle was captured by the Turks during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78 & then captured in the Greco-Turkish War of 1897. Excellent video which clears up a lot of information for me.

Comment for the algorithm gods. This channel deserves it.

I feel like Bruno's animations don't often get the attention they deserve but the ammo in this animation looks stellar! Good job man!

In this episode, Othais and Mae completely forget the Gras exists.

At least Ian will be baffled by the Othiaska...

also fascinating to learn that The Berdan Rifle, Berdan Primer, and Berdan Sharpshooters were all named for the same man.

Well as I do suspect that people would love some historical context, Berdan II is often associated with the Finnish Guards Rifle Battalion (or just Suomen Kaarti, Finnish Guard). Of course, its official designation during Russo-Turkish War would had been Henkikaartin 3. Suomen Tarkk'ampuja Pataljoona (in Russian: Лейб-гвардии 3-й стрелковый Финский батальон, Leib-gvardii 3-j strelkovyi Finski batalon) and in English it would be roughly: Guards 3rd Marksman Battalion. If name doesn't give away, Finns were considered to be natural shooters. Hardy folk that could shoot smallest bird from mid-flight from ridiculous distances away. As it was actually the only official Finnish army unit in Imperial army, it got very famous in Russo-Turkish war and not just in home but also abroad. First time a Finnish army unit (not Swedish or Russian unit with Finns in it) took part in actual war with common language being finnish. Some war correspondents even claimed (and it was probaply bit exaggerated) that Finns were immune to winter, Turkish officers lived in fear of them would rather surrender then fight them and Russians will always win if they heard that "Finski" were with them. So what did Finnish Guard do during the Russo-Turkish War? In short, not actually much. It never did took part in famous Battle of Plevna (or siege) but it is remembered for its part in capture of fortress in Gornyi Dubnjakin which lead to fall of Plevna. And from there it marched all the way to Constantinople all the while carrying Berdan rifles.

Always wanted to see a Berdan in action.

I love being a patron so that I can see the hard work that goes into each episode slightly earlier. Also comment for the YT overlords.

I remember being in Junior Year two years ago now and watching this episode at lunch, enthralled in the history, mystified by the sound blast of the shot, and I still feel like it was yesterday.

So long story short, the Berdans were worth more than gold.

You know that meme of the guy with the cork board filled with papers, pins, and yarn going everywhere? 2:20

Babe wake up C&Rsenal just uploaded.

Just signed up with subscribestar. I've been watching religiously since the first French rifle video when I was an undergrad baby and always wanted to support you guys. Take my dirty dirty pizza delivery money you magnificent bastard.

I always liked single shots and double barrels, they have a kind of charm, specially double barrel shotguns, I love em all

This episode came at the perfect time. I recently got an early berdan II without the volley sights. It was a bring back from Afghanistan and lets just say the bolt has seen better days. I haven't been able to find any info about it at all so this episode is a literal life saver in helping me get it firing again.

Because of last podcast I am required by law to say this before every comment. "nOw, Im A PaTrOn" and I enjoy your show

Wait wait wait what, Othais pronounced Suomussalmi correctly. How? Is he broken? Thats not supposed to happen.

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE. BLESS YOU OTHIAS! HAIL THE MIGHTY BEARD!!!

I was skeptical of your comments regarding Berdan in the Q&A, thinking it was probably recency bias. Fifteen minutes, I was wrong.

Amazing history to go along with an elegant old rifle....

General Alexander Suvorov was a brilliant strategist and tactician who never lost a single battle beating the French, Austrians, Prussians, Turks in every encounter... his phrase respecting bayonets is frequently misused and misunderstood, at the time when opposing troops were often engaged in lengthy and fruitless gunfire exchanges from the distance he promoted bayonet charges but never as frontal attacks at the entrenched and prepared enemy, his idea and practice were to attack the enemy troops at night, or on a march, preferably in bad weather catching them off guard and overrunning them with intense and concerted effort of his highly trained shock troops, yes, relying on close-quarters combat, most opponents feared and were ill prepared for. His track record proved him right. His another better known phrase was: "win by skills not numbers!"

Huzzah! Been waiting for this one since the siege of Plevna!

It's not a C&Rsenal episode without the siege of Plevna

Berdan 2: Russian Boogaloo

Thanks for the video. Even me, Ukrainian born in 1990, remembers the word "berdanka" from my childhood. It meant "very old rifle", of any kind. Cultural significance of this thing was huge.

Honestly, this is one of those guns I had no flipping idea was a thing. Love these tid bits of knowledge!

Well, at this point in the series, it may be that carrying Mae into battle may be the best bet. She has more experience with more different arms that she would be an asset in any unit. Thank you for your efforts on our behalf.

It's always fascinating how quickly we went from muzzleloaders that had been used for centuries, to cased ammunition, breach loaders to bolt actions, and finally to semi- and full auto firearms. The sheer technological jump starting in the 1870s to 1900s; from sail and coal to dreadnaughts, horse and carriage to cars, airships and planes, etc

So, so, SO glad I bought one the other day. I love you guys.

Thank you for telling us the origin of the Russian idiom "The bullet is a fool."

What you said at the start about the lack or books on this subject....it's very surprising because of how long this rifle was used. Thanks again for doing what you do.

Three minutes in, I'm saying "I love you Othias!" Uncontrollably repeatingly, over and over again. Thanks for your dedication 😊

I think the story came together very well considering the lack of clear documented information or a book on the rifle. Good work!

After watching this I feel like i would love a brief biographical series about some of the people mentioned over the course of Primer. Like a little half an hour episode from time to time like the Colt and trap series, featuring breif chats about some of the most vibrant characters we have covered.

This channel continues to be excellent. Thanks Othais and Mae!

BSA production costs 63 Shillings is £3 3s, at 20 shillings to the £. Average wage of the factory worker, around 15s (3/4 of a £ ) per week.

thank you kind peeps

In the Mannerheim museum there is a 2 Berdan rifles from his time in the Russian Imperial army. He was a General in the Imperial Cavalry and very good friend with the Tsar.

It has finally arrived!!!

Sounds like the real answer for best single shot is the original Italian Vetterli 1870 TS. The bolt handle comes down near the trigger, strong enough for smokeless(ish) cartridge, AND short rifle length. Double down in that it goes Vitali 1887 magazine with charger loading!

We need to petition Keltec to name a gun after Othias. Knowing Keltec it should be a helical magazine fed .30 carbine or 45-govt polymer framed roller delayed pistol.

“Forget the fools, fix the fine lads and charge!”

Engagement comment: Berdan's gold-extractor used a furnace and a 7-foot wide iron crucible which both moved, the crucible was full of hot mercury [Express (London) 26/10/1853]. That thing must have been the bad news bears from a health and safety point of view.

Cheers Othias & Mae

Спасибо за рассказ о этой замечательной винтовке! Надо только добавить что много списанных из армии винтовок Бердана №2 было переделано в охотничьи ружья 32 калибра. ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Фроловка_(ружьё)

"The Lee Enfield opens it's self" hahaha yeah that's a good one.

Nice touch with Mae before the intro

I’ve been waiting for this for so long! I can’t wait to watch!

Sufferin' through the ads for some sweet sweet C&Rsensal content. Totally worth it.

Great episode, thanks! I really appreciate how you tied all the threads together on this.

wow what fabulous video, THANK you C&R!

Berdan II, coming to a battlefield near you.

Awesome Berdan and dinner!

always exited when i see a new episode up.

Excuse me, what. I LIVE in Plymouth, Michigan and I didn't know this. Thats awesome!

This video is exactly what I needed today. Thanks!

I’ve actually been waiting a long time for this one. Harambae ❤️

Just like to say I'd be super keen for a spin-off series showing how some of the ammo you use is made. I hope that's something you do end up doing.

I am very thankful for you guys. You've been a really big part of my life for the past few years and I hope that you all are doing well. I really appreciate everything that you guys do

Yes! I've been waiting for this since the first time it was mentioned

Thanks for the extra research and work you had to put in for this episode. The brief history lesson of post Crimean War Russian military conclusions was *chef's kiss*

Yay!! Primer!!!

>Looks at wall of guns. >Sees all the shotguns stacked in front of it.

Just upgraded my subscription tier! I’ve watched you guys from the very beginning but didn’t become a patron till summer 2019 after realizing how much your videos increased my collecting knowledge and helped me get through my deployment. After listening to the latest unloaded and watching this episode’s end credits, I couldn’t help but increase my support. Thanks guys!

Thank you for the dedication to research Othais.

Perhaps I missed it in the video, but in case anyone else has and is wondering what a Russian unit of measure "arshin" is, it is 28 inches, compared to US yard which is 36 inches. It is derived from an old Tukish unit "arşın", derived from a length of a step, I believe. People may have been shorter then, so a step was a little shorter.

Hi, спасибо for another great episode!

I bought a Berdan II about 6 months ago, and have been slowly obtaining the knowledge and tools to reload for it. Excited to see a full length video on one!

I loved seeing the slo-mo extraction. Very substantial and satisfying. Well done!

Well done with the research. You all do a great job weaving a story that is engaging from material that is both scarce and dry. Seriously impressive.

Excellent research on this particular rifle Othias, thanks a lot for this.

Hey Othais! I have a Krnka at home albeit not in the most excellent of conditions but Bulgarian museums are full of them anyway. What I do have which is not so common are some actual Krnka cartridges. I can take some pictures for you if you even do a Krnka episode (which would be absolutely amazing because it's the first rifle of modern Bulgaria and we also did use them as reserve rifles in WWI)

It's not necessarily a gun I would want to own - and definitely not what I would want on the Eastern Front - but damn Berdans are pretty.

Another excellent, informative video. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you so much for the hard work y’all put in.

Thanks for another nugget of firearms history goodness.

Thank you

Ohhhhh good timing! I just bought an Ethiopian Berdan, excited to see what arrives, and this video helps contextualize it.

Another splendid video, well done chaps!

Another great episode. The Berdan II seems like a good rifle for it's time, really. This episode looked great too, the colour balance seemed really good. Might just be me.

Rather enjoyed this episode. Appreciate the hard work you all put into these.

Kel-Tec should go ahead and work with you guys on a developing a gun of some sort so you can get immortalized.

Bring forth the black powder single shot episodes. My body is ready.

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this.

Commenting to help the show grow

Lucky for me, I caught the upload right before I went to bed.

Thanks for the history

Man, now that actually looks like a crazy fun old smokepole! Excellent, crazy history, too. Great presentation, thanks!