CandRsenal
patreon
Why?
🕑 Added 2016-05-02 17:48:33 +0000 UTC Another user comment popped up today to remind me that I've probably never made something clear to you patrons: Why we are doing the show the way it is.In all honesty, I never wanted a show. I'm camera hesitant (never really shy though) and it's a huge effort that requires repeated deadlines and tons of public exposure. By participating in my own show I've almost guaranteed I'll never see a deal at a gunshow again.
What I wanted was a book.
I have a ton of them and more on the way thanks to you lot. They come in roughly two categories: extreme detail on a model or subset or general, shallow overview of a wide variety. Those latter ones often have errors.
Until the past two years it's felt like, especially in the US, the First World War doesn't get the attention it deserves for being such an incredible influence on the modern state of the planet. Gun publications are short on WWI pieces, unless of course they are U.S. gear. While there are blog posts, magazine articles, and whole books devoted to nearly every minor variant of some 3rd tier pistol of WWII, some guns issued in the thousands from WWI are never talked about again.
I have some great volumes on Central Powers' pistols or U.S. everything... but it seems no one has attempted the whole thing in one. Rifles, pistols, Machine Guns, and more; both Entente and Central in one place. That's what I wanted.
But it's daunting. My current list of firearms totals 155 and will likely grow as I flesh out a few more designs from Portugal. Given a century for pieces to be lost, trashed, or more often converted to another standard... some of these are incredibly hard to find.
So I needed a vehicle to carry me to the goal. I needed to be seen so museums would recognize our work and let us in. I needed a valued project that people would be willing to support regularly so we could raise funds for books and travel. The market says video is in, video is supported, serial content is the way to go.
And here we are. Each episode probably runs deeper than each page of the book would and we might not get EVERYTHING into the video series because of limitations on shooting one-off historical pieces. But that's OK. Certain guns like the Belgian 1889, Ottoman 1890, and Serbian 1899 will stack into one episode. So that ~155 will probably shrink down to about 100 episodes if we get everything we want.
Now don't let this post fool you. I love the show and feel very responsible for keeping it on track. I'm not just making do until I can get my book. Rather, see the root of our desire to share the history and understand why you won't be seeing us delve into "Top 10" lists, clickbait titles, dramatized and flowery declarations of some gun being superior in all ways, etc... We're here to document each piece as completely as possible and then move to the next. Arranging them on a virtual shelf so that YOU can compare however you like.
All right, that's enough heavy-handed preaching for now. Thanks again gang and we'll be working hard to get those new images out.
Comments
Sherrick
Still working on a book?
TwentythreePER
I NEED that C&Rsenal book! You are right about there not being many books like that.
C&Rsenal
We are considering going non-profit actually
Michael Andrej Molnár
Isnt this then legitimate research for which you can apply for a grant or something along those lines?
C&Rsenal
Hopefully the off week loops are helping
Gavin Rea-Davies
A book made from the episodes would be lovely. A transcript of the key information, accompanied by a selection of photos and freeze-frames. For the animations a set of step-by-step images would work well. I often find it hard to follow the action as there are normally several pieces all moving at once. Keep up the great work
Todd E. Hale
Oh, and they all look awesome mounted on my workshop wall.
Todd E. Hale
One of the great things about this era of rifles is the incredible machining quality and historical significance you can still find for accessible prices. I stumbled upon the 1895 Chileno on consignment at a local gun store for $100, I think because the owner or the store thought the barrel was trashed. It was dirty as heck, but it cleaned up fairly nicely and I had the muzzle crowned for $40. It now shoots fine, it's not a 1 MOA rifle, but who cares, the action is pristine, it hits steel targets just fine at 100 yards, and it's a great piece of Mauser development history.
C&Rsenal
Oh no, your wallet!
Todd E. Hale
Bravo! I've said it before and will repeat it now: this is by far the best historical firearm content available, both in terms of thoroughness and accuracy and also top notch production quality (the intro music is perfect). The only downside is that this has rekindled my collecting interests and led to an 1888/05 Commission rifle, an 1891 Argentine Mauser (and beautiful bayonet), an 1895 Chileno Mauser short rifle, and an SMLE going up on my wall and shooting in the field. Keep up the great work!
C&Rsenal
Once WWI is done we will expand to basically whatever we want. Lots of WWII, but also going back to the 1870's
Donald Barton
I never thought about why you do the channel, I just like how and what you and Mae have to offer. I hope that you will continue to have episodes even if you complete the 100 episodes. Keep making them and I'll keep watching.
Mark
Once again thank you for taking the time and commitment to put this show together and as such I am more than happy to support you guys. Given time I hope to increase that support as I find the value I get from each episode far outweighs my current contribution. As an aspiring collector focusing on Austrian firearms I only have a tiny collection (well only 1 "classic" and 2 modern) so far but have a list of things to add over time. Finding information in English has been a challenge at times so I am eagerly awaiting those episodes. Were a book to be made I wouldn't hesitate to buy a few copies as it seems would others so don't lose hope ot making that book 1 day!
Joseph Grasela
I love books, especially on military history although I have grown to also love well constructed, accurate and entertaining video content. Your videos are excellent and refreshing. I know you are focused on firearms used in The Great War (thankfully) but do you have any interest in producing content on other eras of firearms manufacture or wars in the future? Are there any other periods that you feel are lacking in content that you are also interested in?
C&Rsenal
Thanks. We're giving it our best.
David Herbst
Seriously, though, I hope the book comes to fruition if you still desire it. Your coverage of the subject matter, in both content and style, makes for some of the most entertaining and educational videos on YouTube. Thank you for it!
C&Rsenal
Oh, and the 89 is so getting a full episode. It was really important. We even managed a photo of a trials 88
C&Rsenal
counts to me baby.
C&Rsenal
You're right that a showcase episode is going to do way more than a page in the book.
C&Rsenal
stop that.
David Herbst
"He Set Out to Write a Book, What Happened Next Will Make Your Jaw Drop!"
Bryan Willman
There is more than "market" to favor doing this work as a video series than as a book. No practical book would ever match the animations. No practical book would ever show muzzle flip as well. There was a brief time when people thought content like this ("multimedia") would be done on CD and later DVD. That failed for a lot of reasons.... And so technical and social factors make youtube (and web pages) a much better vehicle for such work....
René Bartholemy
Well, you at least made it into my "Top 10" list of best YT shows... I know it doesn't count, but anyhow... oh yes, and... [national pride ON]I'm sure the Belgian 1889 gun needs a full episode![national pride OFF] ;)
