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.

Some say talking to oneself is a sign of madness ,here it is good madness.

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!

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.

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 :)

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

BRAVO! Enjoyed every installment tremendously. Very much appreciated!

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

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.

Simply brilliant. Exemplary efforts equal an exemplary result.

Another great video. Historical shooting like this should forever be preserved.

Love the SMLE.

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.

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

Epic, Rob and farewell to the old contemptibles.

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.

Am i the only one who gets the sudden urge to clean my Enfields when watching these? Thank you for another great video.

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!

I still can't believe the quality and effort that is put into these videos! You, sir, never cease to amaze me!

Another outstanding video my friend! Keep up the great work!

An extremely interesting and enjoyable series, thank you very much!

Thank you for all the time you put into research and presentation.

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.

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!.

Your skills at making effect but simple things is really pleasing.

Damned impressive. All of it. Thanks for chasing every last detail. Looking forward to the next series, whatever it may be.

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.

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.

... And against the backdrop of the beautiful natural shooting range you have to film everything on it just comes off so wonderfully well done

Great series. Well done Sir. Well done.

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...

Outstanding work...Thank you very much for the series...

Well done! Many thanks, Robert.

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.

Have enjoyed the series enormously. Thanks.

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,

Amazing series Rob, keep up the great work

Another amazing SMLE video. Keep it up

excellent video and series over all. such an in depth and thorough look into marksmanship. thanks for this.

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.

Great series. Keep up the good work!

Thank you for your videos. As always in depth but very accessible.

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.

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.

Loved the video mate, keep them coming, Lee.

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.

Awesomely produced and very informative, thank you. The SMLE is one of my very favorite rifles.

Excellent work Rob!

Amazing series, Rob.

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.

These videos are amazingly well made

Amazing editing

Appreciated the explanation and demonstration of the deviations. And, your shooting is very impressive.

Great series Rob. Clearly a lot if effort band research has gone into this so thank you

As always very well researched and very entertaining and interesting.

Excellent video. Thankyou

I applaud you not only for your work in researching, preparing and making this epic series, but also in being sure to not accidentally have even one "upskirt shot" in the whole thing. 👏👏👏👏. Seriously, It was really interesting. Good work. You've renewed my interest to get the rifle my grandad would have carried in the Canadian army back in ww2. They're a bit of a tradition for moose hunting out here. Getting replaced by the young guys with win mags and such, but there's been many taken with one, and still are. Our Canadian rangers have just started to replace theirs with a new bolt action.

wonderful series thank you

Fantastic, fantastic job. You should feel very proud of your work and, I hope, realise that there is an audience out there which really values your efforts.

Thanks Rob. Another great and informative video.

Superb work!

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!

Superb, thank you

Great job Rob! I know I am late to the party, but I loved it! Such a good series. I am happy to say: I was well entertained, but more importantly, well informed! Happy to say I always learn something when I tune in! On a side note, I love that you got the patch! You earned it for sure, and I feel it looks quite sharp on ya!

Great job well done

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.

great work. thx

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.

I watched the hole series, it was very informative & enjoyable

Brilliant !

That firing technique that showed must be painful after a while? Thank you for the series. Shoot faster, was funny.

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 !!!!!!!!!

And I find you exceptionally interesting also! Another fine demo video. Thanks

Thank you for your research and video series on the musketry of 1914. Particularly what the mad minute was and wasn’t. I discovered your show after a discussion with a cousin that collects firearms and militaria drifted to the SMLE. Regrettably at midnight. Anyway it looks like I have quite a bit of catching up to do. Subscribed.

Fantastic the bef punched well above its weight know I now why cheers mate all the best from the UK

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.

The best gun-chanel I know👍. (And they are many)

Brilliant.

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.

Nice video👍👍

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..."

You should consider editing these fantastic episodes together and doing a dvd release . Bravo from an ex jock!!! Cuidich na-righ

Ahh, paused this at 11.25, you did explain the emory paper here, thanks for the tip, and all the content, well, back to binge watching then :-)

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!

"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

Epic. Not a single dislike. This deserves it.

hello, I just bought a Lee Enfield No.5 MK1, the jungle, clean for his age, all at the same number, very beautiful stripes. I try it Saturday !

very interesting series when paired with stories of engagements during the first world war.

Definitive series!

After this much time, work, and dedication to early 20th century musketry you should found a new group called “Edwardian Rifleman”

It might be interesting and fun to resurrect some of those old shooting competitions like the Duke of Rutland's!

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 KZfaq.

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

Interesting history thanks

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

Awesome videos, looks like tons of fun to make. Seaforth cap badge on your glenngary?