ANCIENT MACHINE-GUN
The Duke of Buccleuch has lent to the Armouries of the Tower of London a very early flintlock machine-gun based on the revolver principle. The patent was taken out by “James Puckle, Gent., of the City of London,” on May 15, 1718.
The gun, of brass or gunmetal, is mounted on a tripod and the chambers are revolved and pushed into place by a crank-handle on a screw-threaded axle. The barrel is engraved “defence.” No information is available as to whether Puckle was a practising gunsmith or merely an amateur inventor, “Gent.” certainly suggesting the latter. He provided round bullets for use against Christians and square bu ll '' > fcs against Turks. The Duke of Buccleoch has also lent what is probably the first rough model of the gun in iron.
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Bibliographic details
Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19941, 27 October 1934, Page 20
Word Count
132ANCIENT MACHINE-GUN Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19941, 27 October 1934, Page 20
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