I wrote this a while back for a challenge. I'm thinking polishing it up and using it as part of another TL. Any thoughts?
1722 - The Carribean islands of St. John and St. Vincent are granted to John, 2nd Duke of Montagu. He raises a flotilla to secure the islands. Among the equipment are two Puckle Defence Guns. Due to strong French resistance, Montagu's force leaves St. John.
1723 - Montagu's force lands on St. Vincent. (POD) The Puckle Guns serve well in securing a beachhead. Strong native resistance drives Montagu's troops from St. Vincent.
1724-1739 - Due to reports from Monatgu's failed West Indian expedition, several dozen Puckle Defence Guns are sold privately. Some serve admirably in an anti-boarding capacity during the War of Jenkins' Ear.
1740-1742/1742-1749 - John, 2nd Duke of Montagu, serves as Master-General of the Ordnance (as per OTL). He is successful in ordering several hundred Puckle Guns. Most are deployed in defensive positions.
1751 - Clive marches on Arcot. His forces are only equipped with six artillery pieces, half of which are Puckle Defence Guns mounted on newly designed wheeled carriages. The Puckles prove instrumental in Clive's campaign.
1753 - First reliable revolver built by ??? of ?(Dutch/Belgium?)?. This weapon equips many young officers.
1754-1763 - French and Indian War/Seven Years War - due to overenthusiastic purchasing following Clive's reports of Puckle Defence Guns, the weapons achieve a spotty service record. Nevertheless, several French and Prussian copies are developed.
1760s-1770s - Puckles fall into some disrepute but, due to large numbers purchased, are found in many armouries.
1775 - American Revolutionary War begins. Among the weapons seized at Fort Ticonderoga are several Puckle Guns. Due to a lack of artillery, many Puckles are deployed by the Continental Army.
<more detail>
c1800 - Mortimer builds an ingenious, though unreliable, repeating pistol. Due to novelty, there are some sales. This weapon introduces percussion cap primers.
1818 - American Elisha Collier introduces the first needle fire revolver. His weapon achieves some commercial success, but is heavily pirated.
One major question i've been asking myself is what use Puckle guns would be. I think ther range wouldn't be great, so mostly loaded with shot against infantry. How would they be put into action? On ships, obviously pintle-mounted. In the field, if they're on a wheeled carriage, their shorter range would make them vulnerable to mass charge or plain bad luck (and snipers maybe). I think they'd shine in city combat because they're very portable and streets would restrict how many opposing soldiers could come at them. Again, any thoughts?
Can anyone suggest sources for finding names of gunsmiths/gun manufacturers in the 18th and 19th centuries?
1722 - The Carribean islands of St. John and St. Vincent are granted to John, 2nd Duke of Montagu. He raises a flotilla to secure the islands. Among the equipment are two Puckle Defence Guns. Due to strong French resistance, Montagu's force leaves St. John.
1723 - Montagu's force lands on St. Vincent. (POD) The Puckle Guns serve well in securing a beachhead. Strong native resistance drives Montagu's troops from St. Vincent.
1724-1739 - Due to reports from Monatgu's failed West Indian expedition, several dozen Puckle Defence Guns are sold privately. Some serve admirably in an anti-boarding capacity during the War of Jenkins' Ear.
1740-1742/1742-1749 - John, 2nd Duke of Montagu, serves as Master-General of the Ordnance (as per OTL). He is successful in ordering several hundred Puckle Guns. Most are deployed in defensive positions.
1751 - Clive marches on Arcot. His forces are only equipped with six artillery pieces, half of which are Puckle Defence Guns mounted on newly designed wheeled carriages. The Puckles prove instrumental in Clive's campaign.
1753 - First reliable revolver built by ??? of ?(Dutch/Belgium?)?. This weapon equips many young officers.
1754-1763 - French and Indian War/Seven Years War - due to overenthusiastic purchasing following Clive's reports of Puckle Defence Guns, the weapons achieve a spotty service record. Nevertheless, several French and Prussian copies are developed.
1760s-1770s - Puckles fall into some disrepute but, due to large numbers purchased, are found in many armouries.
1775 - American Revolutionary War begins. Among the weapons seized at Fort Ticonderoga are several Puckle Guns. Due to a lack of artillery, many Puckles are deployed by the Continental Army.
<more detail>
c1800 - Mortimer builds an ingenious, though unreliable, repeating pistol. Due to novelty, there are some sales. This weapon introduces percussion cap primers.
1818 - American Elisha Collier introduces the first needle fire revolver. His weapon achieves some commercial success, but is heavily pirated.
One major question i've been asking myself is what use Puckle guns would be. I think ther range wouldn't be great, so mostly loaded with shot against infantry. How would they be put into action? On ships, obviously pintle-mounted. In the field, if they're on a wheeled carriage, their shorter range would make them vulnerable to mass charge or plain bad luck (and snipers maybe). I think they'd shine in city combat because they're very portable and streets would restrict how many opposing soldiers could come at them. Again, any thoughts?
Can anyone suggest sources for finding names of gunsmiths/gun manufacturers in the 18th and 19th centuries?