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{{short description|18th-century long firearm}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{ infobox weapon
{{ infobox weapon
| is_ranged = yes
| is_ranged = yes
| image =
| image = File:Nock volley gun.jpg
| caption =
| caption = A Nock volley gun in the [[Charleston Museum]] 1779–1780
| name = Nock gun
| name = Nock gun
| type = [[Volley gun]]
| type = [[Volley gun]]
| origin = {{flagcountry|United Kingdom}}<ref name="nra">Matthew Sharpe "Nock's Volley Gun: A Fearful Discharge" ''American Rifleman'' December 2012 pp.50-53</ref>
| origin = {{flagcountry|Kingdom of Great Britain}}<ref name="nra">Matthew Sharpe "Nock's Volley Gun: A Fearful Discharge" ''American Rifleman'' December 2012 pp.50-53</ref>
| era = [[Napoleonic Wars]]
| platform = Individual<ref name="nra"/>
| target = Personnel<ref name="nra"/>
| design_date = 1779<ref name="nra"/>
| design_date = 1779<ref name="nra"/>
| production_date =
| production_date =
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| cartridge =
| cartridge =
| feed = [[Muzzleloader|Muzzle-loaded]]<ref name="nra"/>
| feed = [[Muzzleloader|Muzzle-loaded]]<ref name="nra"/>
| action = [[Flintlock]], [[Multiple barrel firearm|multiple barrel]]<ref name="nra"/>
| action = [[Flintlock]], [[Multiple-barrel firearm|multiple barrel]]<ref name="nra"/>
| rate = Seven rounds per discharge, reloading rate variable<ref name="nra"/>
| rate = Seven rounds per discharge, reloading rate variable<ref name="nra"/>
| velocity = Variable
| velocity = Variable
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| number =
| number =
}}
}}
[[File:Nock volley gun.jpg|thumb|300px|A Nock volley gun in the [[Charleston Museum]] 1779-1780]]
The '''Nock gun''' was a seven-barrelled [[flintlock]] [[smoothbore]] firearm used by the [[Royal Navy]] during the early stages of the [[Napoleonic Wars]]. It is a type of [[volley gun]] adapted for ship-to-ship fighting, but was limited in its use because of the powerful recoil and eventually discontinued.<ref name="nra"/>
The '''Nock gun''' was a seven-barrelled [[flintlock]] [[smoothbore]] firearm used by the [[Royal Navy]] during the early stages of the [[Napoleonic Wars]]. It is a type of [[volley gun]] adapted for ship-to-ship fighting, but was limited in its use because of the powerful recoil and eventually discontinued.<ref name="nra"/>


Its bizarre appearance and operation has led to it being portrayed in modern fictional works, notably in ''[[The Alamo (1960 film)|The Alamo]]'' feature film, and the ''[[Richard Sharpe (fictional character)|Richard Sharpe]]'' series of novels by [[Bernard Cornwell]].<ref name="nra"/>
Its operation and historical importance has led to it being portrayed in modern fictional works, notably in ''[[The Alamo (1960 film)|The Alamo]]'' feature film, and the ''[[Richard Sharpe (fictional character)|Richard Sharpe]]'' series of novels by [[Bernard Cornwell]].<ref name="nra"/>


== History and design ==
== History and design ==
The weapon was invented by [[British Empire|British]] [[engineer]] James Wilson in 1779, and named after [[Henry Nock]], the [[London]]-based armaments manufacturer contracted to build the gun. It was intended to be fired from the [[rigging]] of [[Royal Navy]] warships onto the deck in the event that the ship was boarded by enemy sailors. Theoretically, the simultaneous discharge of seven barrels would have devastating effect on the tightly packed groups of enemy sailors.<ref name="nra"/>
The weapon was invented by British [[engineer]] James Wilson in 1779,<ref name=Blackmore91 /> and named after [[Henry Nock]], the [[London]]-based armaments manufacturer contracted to build the gun. The [[Board of Ordnance]] rejected it for army use but adopted it for naval use in the role of being fired from the [[Top (sailing ship)|tops]] of [[Royal Navy]] warships.<ref name=Blackmore91>{{cite book |last=Blackmore |first=Howard L |date=1968 |title=British Military Firearms 1650-1850 |publisher=Arco Publishing |page=91 }}</ref> The simultaneous discharge of seven barrels with a single pull of the trigger would have devastating effect on the tightly packed groups of enemy sailors.<ref name="nra"/>


The volley gun consisted of seven barrels welded together, with small vents drilled through from the central barrel to the other six barrels clustered around it. The central barrel screwed onto a hollow spigot which formed the chamber and was connected to the vent.
The volley gun consisted of seven barrels welded together, with small vents drilled through from the central barrel to the other six barrels clustered around it. The central barrel screwed onto a hollow spigot which formed the chamber and was connected to the vent.
Line 41: Line 39:
The gun operated using a standard [[flintlock]] mechanism, with the [[Primer (firearm)|priming]] [[gunpowder]] igniting the central charge via a small vent. When the flash reached the central chamber, all seven charges ignited at once, firing more or less simultaneously.<ref name="nra"/>
The gun operated using a standard [[flintlock]] mechanism, with the [[Primer (firearm)|priming]] [[gunpowder]] igniting the central charge via a small vent. When the flash reached the central chamber, all seven charges ignited at once, firing more or less simultaneously.<ref name="nra"/>


The first models featured [[rifle]]d barrels, but this made loading a long and cumbersome process, resulting in all following models being manufactured with [[smoothbore]] barrels.
The first two test guns featured [[rifle]]d barrels but all the later ones including those used in trials were smoothbore.<ref name=Blackmore91 />


== Deployment and use ==
== Deployment and use ==
During the early stages of the [[Napoleonic Wars]], 500 Nock guns were purchased by the Royal Navy. However, attempts to use the gun during combat quickly revealed design flaws. The [[recoil]] caused by all seven barrels firing at once was more powerful than had been thought, and frequently injured or broke the shoulder of whoever was firing the gun, and in any case made the gun very difficult to control. Furthermore, officers were reluctant to issue the guns during battle out of fear that the flying sparks would set fire to the surrounding [[rigging]] and [[sail]]s.<ref name="nra"/>
In 1780, 500 Nock guns were purchased by the Royal Navy at a price of £13 per gun.<ref name=Blackmore91 /> However, attempts to use the gun during combat quickly revealed design flaws. The [[recoil]] caused by all seven barrels firing at once was more powerful than had been thought, and frequently injured or broke the shoulder of whoever was firing the gun, and in any case made the gun very difficult to control. Furthermore, officers were reluctant to issue the guns during battle out of fear that the flying sparks would set fire to the surrounding [[rigging]] and [[sail]]s.<ref name="nra"/>


A smaller, lighter version was produced, which shortened the gun's range, but the recoil was still too powerful for sailors to feel comfortable firing it. The few models purchased by the Royal Navy were removed from service in 1804.
A smaller, lighter version was produced, which shortened the gun's range, but the recoil was still too powerful for sailors to feel comfortable firing it. A total of 655 guns of all models were eventually purchased.<ref name=Blackmore92>{{cite book |last=Blackmore |first=Howard L |date=1968 |title=British Military Firearms 1650-1850 |publisher=Arco Publishing |page=92 }}</ref> The guns were removed from service in the Royal Navy in 1804.


Examples are available for viewing in the weapons gallery at [[York Castle Museum]], the Hollywood Guns exhibit at the [[National Firearms Museum]], the Royal Armouries Museum, and the Charleston Museum (SC).<ref name="nra"/>
Examples are available for viewing in the Hollywood Guns exhibit at the [[National Firearms Museum]], the [[Royal Armouries Museum]], and the Charleston Museum (SC).<ref name="nra"/>


===Private purchasers===
⚫
== Popular culture ==
⚫
The Nock gun was brought to modern attention in the 1960 film ''[[The Alamo (1960 film)|The Alamo]]'' in which one is used by actor [[Richard Widmark]], playing [[Jim Bowie]]. The gun used in the film is now in the National Firearms Museum.<ref name="nra"/> Nock guns can be seen in realistic period films including ''[[Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World]]'' 2003, and fantasy films like ''[[Jonah Hex (film)|Jonah Hex]]'' 2010, and ''[[Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter]]'' 2012.


Henry Nock and others managed to sell a number of guns in the sporting market.<ref name=Blackmore93 /> A 14-barrel version that was sold to [[Thomas Thornton (sportsman)|Thomas Thornton]] by Dupe & Co survived in the Musèe d'Armes in Liège later the [[Curtius Museum]].<ref name=Blackmore93>{{cite book |last=Blackmore |first=Howard L |date=1968 |title=British Military Firearms 1650-1850 |publisher=Arco Publishing |page=93 }}</ref><ref name=grandcurtius>{{cite web |url=https://www.grandcurtius.be/index.php/en/museums-collections/weapons/14-barrel-rifle-purchased-paris-1911 |title=14-barrel rifle (Purchased in Paris, 1911) |website=grandcurtius.be |publisher=Musée Curtius |access-date=1 August 2021}}</ref>
⚫
In [[Bernard Cornwell]]'s series of historical novels featuring fictional British soldier [[Sharpe (novel series)|Richard Sharpe]] and, more recently, in the ''[[Sharpe (TV series)|Sharpe]]'' TV series, Nock guns are used by the character [[Patrick Harper (fiction)|Patrick Harper]] (a strong, burly man played by [[Daragh O'Malley]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southessex.co.uk/weapons/nock.htm |title=Weapons&nbsp;— Harper's Nock Volley Gun&nbsp;— The Sharpe Appreciation Society |publisher=Southessex.co.uk |date=2002-10-26 |accessdate=2009-10-23 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6AKfwQK0r |archivedate=August 31, 2012 }}</ref>


⚫
== Popular culture ==
In the video game ''[[Gun (video game)|Gun]]'', the main antagonist, Thomas Magruder, uses a Nock gun during the final boss battle of the game. It later becomes unlocked for the player's use after finishing the game.
⚫
The Nock gun was brought to modern attention in the 1960 film ''[[The Alamo (1960 film)|The Alamo]]'' in which one is used by actor [[Richard Widmark]], playing [[Jim Bowie]]. The gun used in the film is now in the National Firearms Museum.<ref name="nra"/> Nock guns can be seen in realistic period films including ''[[Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World]]'', and fantasy films ''[[Jonah Hex (film)|Jonah Hex]]'' and ''[[Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter]]''.


⚫
In [[Bernard Cornwell]]'s series of historical novels featuring [[Sharpe (novel series)|Richard Sharpe]] and, more recently, in the ''[[Sharpe (TV series)|Sharpe]]'' TV series, a Nock gun is used by the character [[Patrick Harper (fiction)|Patrick Harper]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southessex.co.uk/weapons/nock.htm |title=Weapons&nbsp;— Harper's Nock Volley Gun&nbsp;— The Sharpe Appreciation Society |publisher=Southessex.co.uk |date=2002-10-26 |access-date=2009-10-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021210075417/http://www.southessex.co.uk/weapons/nock.htm |archive-date=December 10, 2002 }}</ref> A modern version was custom-built in an episode of ''[[American Guns]]''.
A modern version was custom-built in an episode of ''[[American Guns]]''.


== References ==
== References ==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Nock Gun}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nock Gun}}
[[Category:Early firearms]]
[[Category:Early firearms]]
[[Category:Salvo weapons]]
[[Category:Weapons of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Multiple barrel firearms]]
[[Category:Multiple-barrel firearms]]
[[Category:18th-century weapons]]
[[Category:18th-century weapons]]
[[Category:1779 introductions]]
[[Category:1779 introductions]]
[[Category:19th-century weapons]]

Latest revision as of 08:40, 24 December 2024

Nock gun
A Nock volley gun in the Charleston Museum 1779–1780
TypeVolley gun
Place of origin Great Britain[1]
Service history
In serviceRoyal Navy 1782–1804[1]
Used byUnited Kingdom[1]
WarsNapoleonic Wars[1]
Production history
Designed1779[1]
Specifications
Barrel length20 inches (510 mm)[1]
Caliber.46 inches (12 mm)[1]
Barrels7
ActionFlintlock, multiple barrel[1]
Rate of fireSeven rounds per discharge, reloading rate variable[1]
Muzzle velocityVariable
Effective firing rangeVariable
Feed systemMuzzle-loaded[1]

The Nock gun was a seven-barrelled flintlock smoothbore firearm used by the Royal Navy during the early stages of the Napoleonic Wars. It is a type of volley gun adapted for ship-to-ship fighting, but was limited in its use because of the powerful recoil and eventually discontinued.[1]

Its operation and historical importance has led to it being portrayed in modern fictional works, notably in The Alamo feature film, and the Richard Sharpe series of novels by Bernard Cornwell.[1]

History and design

The weapon was invented by British engineer James Wilson in 1779,[2] and named after Henry Nock, the London-based armaments manufacturer contracted to build the gun. The Board of Ordnance rejected it for army use but adopted it for naval use in the role of being fired from the tops of Royal Navy warships.[2] The simultaneous discharge of seven barrels with a single pull of the trigger would have devastating effect on the tightly packed groups of enemy sailors.[1]

The volley gun consisted of seven barrels welded together, with small vents drilled through from the central barrel to the other six barrels clustered around it. The central barrel screwed onto a hollow spigot which formed the chamber and was connected to the vent.

The gun operated using a standard flintlock mechanism, with the priming gunpowder igniting the central charge via a small vent. When the flash reached the central chamber, all seven charges ignited at once, firing more or less simultaneously.[1]

The first two test guns featured rifled barrels but all the later ones including those used in trials were smoothbore.[2]

Deployment and use

In 1780, 500 Nock guns were purchased by the Royal Navy at a price of £13 per gun.[2] However, attempts to use the gun during combat quickly revealed design flaws. The recoil caused by all seven barrels firing at once was more powerful than had been thought, and frequently injured or broke the shoulder of whoever was firing the gun, and in any case made the gun very difficult to control. Furthermore, officers were reluctant to issue the guns during battle out of fear that the flying sparks would set fire to the surrounding rigging and sails.[1]

A smaller, lighter version was produced, which shortened the gun's range, but the recoil was still too powerful for sailors to feel comfortable firing it. A total of 655 guns of all models were eventually purchased.[3] The guns were removed from service in the Royal Navy in 1804.

Examples are available for viewing in the Hollywood Guns exhibit at the National Firearms Museum, the Royal Armouries Museum, and the Charleston Museum (SC).[1]

Private purchasers

Henry Nock and others managed to sell a number of guns in the sporting market.[4] A 14-barrel version that was sold to Thomas Thornton by Dupe & Co survived in the Musèe d'Armes in Liège later the Curtius Museum.[4][5]

The Nock gun was brought to modern attention in the 1960 film The Alamo in which one is used by actor Richard Widmark, playing Jim Bowie. The gun used in the film is now in the National Firearms Museum.[1] Nock guns can be seen in realistic period films including Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, and fantasy films Jonah Hex and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

In Bernard Cornwell's series of historical novels featuring Richard Sharpe and, more recently, in the Sharpe TV series, a Nock gun is used by the character Patrick Harper.[6] A modern version was custom-built in an episode of American Guns.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Matthew Sharpe "Nock's Volley Gun: A Fearful Discharge" American Rifleman December 2012 pp.50-53
  2. ^ a b c d Blackmore, Howard L (1968). British Military Firearms 1650-1850. Arco Publishing. p. 91.
  3. ^ Blackmore, Howard L (1968). British Military Firearms 1650-1850. Arco Publishing. p. 92.
  4. ^ a b Blackmore, Howard L (1968). British Military Firearms 1650-1850. Arco Publishing. p. 93.
  5. ^ "14-barrel rifle (Purchased in Paris, 1911)". grandcurtius.be. Musée Curtius. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  6. ^ "Weapons — Harper's Nock Volley Gun — The Sharpe Appreciation Society". Southessex.co.uk. 2002-10-26. Archived from the original on December 10, 2002. Retrieved 2009-10-23.
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