Machine guns
Gatling gun
The Gatling gun, invented in 1861 by Richard Jordan Gatling, is a rapid-firing multiple-barrel firearm. It serves as an early machine gun and is considered a precursor to modern electric motor-driven rotary cannons. The Gatling gun operates on a cyclic multi-barrel design that facilitates cooling and synchronizes the firing-reloading sequence. In its operation, a handwheel is cranked, causing the barrels to rotate. Each barrel sequentially loads a single cartridge from a top-mounted magazine, fires when it reaches a set position (usually at 4 o'clock), and then ejects the spent casing out of the left side at the bottom. Afterward, the barrel is empty and allowed to cool until rotated back to the top position, where it is gravity-fed another new round. This design eliminates the need for a single reciprocating bolt, enabling higher rates of fire without quickly overheating the barrels.
Ribauldequin
A ribauldequin, also known as a rabauld, randy, ribault, ribaudkin, infernal machine, or organ gun, was a type of volley gun used during the late medieval period from the 14th through the 17th centuries. It featured multiple small-caliber iron barrels set up parallel on a platform. When the gun was fired, all barrels discharged their projectiles simultaneously, resulting in a much higher rate of fire compared to single-barrel guns, which were typically larger in caliber. Organ guns were notable for being lighter and more mobile than previous artillery pieces, making them particularly suitable for engaging enemy personnel rather than fixed fortifications such as castles. Their ability to deliver a rapid volley of projectiles made them effective in disrupting enemy formations and inflicting casualties on infantry units.
Metal Storm
Metal Storm was an Australian small arms weapon system.
volley gun
A volley gun is a firearm equipped with multiple single-shot barrels that are fired simultaneously or sequentially in rapid succession. While these guns are capable of delivering intense firepower, they differ from modern machine guns in that they lack autoloading and automatic fire mechanisms. As a result, their rate of fire is limited by the number of barrels bundled together. Despite this limitation, volley guns have historically been used to unleash devastating barrages of gunfire, particularly in situations where a concentrated burst of firepower is needed.
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Gun Encyclopedia
RastgeleA firearm, an essential component of modern weaponry, is a portable and hand-held device designed for launching projectiles at high speeds. The primary components include a barrel, which guides the projectile's trajectory, a firing mechanism to init...
