Synopsis
Sam Willis on the history of weapons that have shaped Britain. He charts the impact of gunpowder on the battlefield, from the first cannons to early handheld weapons.
- Programme: Sword, Musket & Machine Gun: Britain's Armed History
- Episode: 2: The Big Bang
- Channel: BBC Four
- Broadcast year: 2017
- History | Medieval Britain
Licence: ERA Licence required
UK only
Staff and students of licensed education establishments only
Cannot be adapted
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More clips from Sword, Musket & Machine Gun: Britain's Armed History

1: Cut & Thrust | Sword, Musket & Machine Gun: Britain's Armed History
1: Cut & Thrust | Sword, Musket & Machine Gun: Britain's Armed History
Sam Willis traces the history of the weapons that have shaped Britain. He gets a lesson in swordsmansh...

3: Rapid Fire | Sword, Musket & Machine Gun: Britain's Armed History
3: Rapid Fire | Sword, Musket & Machine Gun: Britain's Armed History
In the final episode, Dr Sam Willis looks at the drive to develop ever more precise weapons on the battl...

1: Cut & Thrust | Sword, Musket & Machine Gun: Britain's Armed History
1: Cut & Thrust | Sword, Musket & Machine Gun: Britain's Armed History
Sam Willis traces the history of the weapons that have shaped Britain. He gets a lesson in swordsmansh...

3: Rapid Fire | Sword, Musket & Machine Gun: Britain's Armed History
3: Rapid Fire | Sword, Musket & Machine Gun: Britain's Armed History
In the final episode, Dr Sam Willis looks at the drive to develop ever more precise weapons on the battl...

1: Cut & Thrust | Sword, Musket & Machine Gun: Britain's Armed History
1: Cut & Thrust | Sword, Musket & Machine Gun: Britain's Armed History
Sam Willis traces the history of the weapons that have shaped Britain. He gets a lesson in swordsmansh...

3: Rapid Fire | Sword, Musket & Machine Gun: Britain's Armed History
3: Rapid Fire | Sword, Musket & Machine Gun: Britain's Armed History
In the final episode, Dr Sam Willis looks at the drive to develop ever more precise weapons on the battl...

1: Cut & Thrust | Sword, Musket & Machine Gun: Britain's Armed History
1: Cut & Thrust | Sword, Musket & Machine Gun: Britain's Armed History
Sam Willis traces the history of the weapons that have shaped Britain. He gets a lesson in swordsmansh...

3: Rapid Fire | Sword, Musket & Machine Gun: Britain's Armed History
3: Rapid Fire | Sword, Musket & Machine Gun: Britain's Armed History
In the final episode, Dr Sam Willis looks at the drive to develop ever more precise weapons on the battl...
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