The Puckle gun (also known as the defence gun) was a primitive crew-served, manually-operated flintlock[1] revolver patented in 1718 by James Puckle (1667–1724), a British inventor, lawyer and writer. It was one of the earliest weapons to be referred to as a "machine gun", being called such in a 1722 shipping manifest,[2] though its operation does not match the modern use of the term. It was never used during any combat operation or war.[3][4] Production was highly limited and may have been as few as two guns.
- ^ Willbanks (2004), p. 23.
- ^ Wilcock, Paul (2012). "The Armoury of His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry" (PDF). Arms & Armour. Vol. 9, no. 2. pp. 181–205. ISSN 1741-6124 – via University of Huddersfield.
- ^ Brown, M.L. (1980). Firearms in Colonial America : The Impact on History and Technology 1492-1792. Washington DC: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 239. ISBN 0874742900.
- ^ Willbanks (2004), p. 154.