Project Description
!!!!!SOLD!!!!! This is a 1/6 scale James Puckle flintlock crew served revolving machine gun commonly referred to as a Puckle gun, and is commonly referred to as the first machine gun, patented in 1718. James Puckle was a British inventor, lawyer, & writer. This is a tripod mounted single barrel flintlock weapon fitted with a manually operated nine chamber revolving cylinder. The original gun had a three foot long barrel with a bore of 1.25″, actually making it a small cannon.
From wikipedia
“Puckle demonstrated two configurations of the basic design: one, intended for use against Christian enemies, fired conventional round bullets, while the second, designed to be used against the Muslim Turks, fired square bullets. The square bullets were considered to be more damaging. They would, according to the patent, “convince the Turks of the benefits of Christian civilization”. The weapon was also reported as able to fire shot, with each discharge containing sixteen musket balls.”
“The Puckle gun firing mechanism is similar to a conventional flintlock musket. After each shot, a crank on the rear of the threaded shaft that ran through the cylinder would be turned, allowing the cylinder to be rotated by hand to the next chamber. Rotating the cylinder would cause a slot and stud mechanism to close the firing pan on the previous chamber and open the next ready to be primed. The crank was then screwed tight again, locking the tapered end of the chamber into the barrel to form a gas-tight seal. The flintlock mechanism was then primed and the weapon fired by operating a long trigger lever which extended down to about the level of the operator’s waist.
To reload, the crank handle could be unscrewed completely to detach the cylinder, which could then be replaced with a fresh one. In this way it was similar to earlier breech-loading swivel guns with a detachable chamber which could be loaded prior to use. The cylinder appears to have been referred to as a “charger” in contemporary documentation.[2]
All known examples of Puckle guns have a folding tripod mount. The gun was balanced well on the tripod and could be elevated or traversed by the operator to aim it.”
The overall length of the gun is 7 7/8″. The barrel is 5 25/32″ long with a .156 caliber round bore. The barrel & the cylinders are not drilled all the way through, which makes me think this miniature may have been made in England. This miniature has a brass barrel, cylinder, hand cranked cylinder retainer. The balance of the parts are blued steel. This miniature is incomplete as it is missing part of the flintlock mechanism. Also the cylinder bores are not drill with the flash holes & it is missing the flash hole covers. Not a big chore for someone with decent gunsmithing skills. The tripod is missing one of the stabilizing irons. Otherwise the piece is in very good condition. The brass is showing a very pleasing aged patina. The blue parts showing some surface rust, some of which will clean to look much better, with mixed scattered blue & patina finish. Priced accordingly. Complete & in mint condition, this piece would be worth $3,500.00 +. Even as it is, it makes an attractive display, a wonderful conversation piece, & is an essential piece for any miniature machine gun collection! !!!!!SOLD!!!!!
