First Machine Gun Patented: James Puckle's Invention
James Puckle patented his "Defence Gun" on May 15, 1718, a tripod-mounted, single-barreled weapon with a manually rotated cylinder that could fire nine rounds per minute compared to a musketeer's three. The patent included two versions: one firing round bullets for Christian enemies and square bullets for "infidels," as Puckle believed square projectiles would cause more painful wounds. The gun was demonstrated to investors in 1722 during a rainstorm, successfully firing 63 rounds in seven minutes while conventional muskets misfired in the wet conditions. Despite this impressive demonstration, the British military showed no interest. Only two prototypes are known to have been built. The Puckle Gun is considered a precursor to the machine gun, though true rapid-fire weapons did not appear for another 150 years.
May 15, 1718
308 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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