Superimposed load rifle

[Andrewmtnman]

I was fortunate to visit the Cody museum recently. Honestly, it was overwhelming with cool stuff and history. One thing that caught my eye is this rifle. Can anyone explain why appear to be 2 ignition points on one barrel?
Had to throw in the last picture for fun

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

The loads are stacked on top of each other in the one barrel. The forward load fires first. Two shot capacity.

Here's a Jennings 4 shot capacity superimposed flintlock. Same premise, just different ignition.

 

[Andrewmtnman]

The loads are stacked on top of dry ballers! Xin the one barrel. The forward load fires first. Two shot capacity.

Here's a Jennings 4 shot capacity superimposed flintlock. Same premise, just different ignition.
View attachment 291277
View attachment 291278

That is interesting. Not for dryballers!
And make sure you fire the front load first!!!!!

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

Like a roman candle, just more deadly.

 

[52Bore]

Another:
John Rigby 1825
Percussion cap had won out and been accepted by all the makers in the UK by then.

 

[reddogge]

I've never heard of such a thing before. Very interesting. I imagine the last loads got a little compressed by the forward charges.

 

[oldwood]

Back in the 1980's Kit Ravenshear built a four shot flintlock rifle like one seen in the Tower of London firearm museum. He brought it to a shoot at Union County Pa. Muzzleloaders Assn.. I helped him test it out. If properly loaded , it would fire four balls one after another loaded in stacked sequence. Testing showed it a little impractical due to the inability to quickly reload it under battle conditions. Once the first shot went forth , the other three balls were difficult to keep on target. The secret to reliable 4 sshot volies , was loading the gun precisely , other wise , all four shots were simultanious.

 

[TxGR]

There was what some describe as a "flintlock machine gun" which was even demonstrated for George Washington. This particular design was designed by Joseph Chambers. Later the US Navy bought more than 50 of these 224 shot early automatic weapons.

https://www.forgottenweapons.com/chambers-flintlock-machine-gun-from-the-1700s/
Unlike the designs above and the one in the Cody Museum, the Chambers automatic only had one ignition sequence which kicked off an in-series chain reaction. Once the cock struck the frizzen, 224 shots were going to be fired, there was no stopping it, unless it failed. I would not have wanted to be responsible for loading it, or unloading it from a wet charge.

Edit: I initially confused it with a Puckle Gun, another very early quick firing firearm.

 

[russellshaffer]

I think these would actually be legal for Oregon muzzle loader seasons. Revolving actions are prohibited but nothing is said about superposed rifles. I'm not planning to try it.

 

[longcruise]

Another:
John Rigby 1825
Percussion cap had won out and been accepted by all the makers in the UK by then.

View attachment 291294

I wonder how the trigger mechanism worked.

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

I wonder how the trigger mechanism worked.

No kidding! Me too!

 

[Bad Karma]

I wonder how the trigger mechanism worked.

A lever below the slot (behind the lock) which is raised by the trigger at the rear and pivoting on the screw at the forward end of the slot. Just guessing, it’s how I’d do it so John Rigby probably came up with something much better.

 

[Sooty Scot]

Fit those balls tight, boys!

 

[shorthair]

The Walsh navy revolver, 6 chambers 2 triggers and hammers and stacked charges for 12 shots per cylinder full.