Nelson Volley Gun

[Raguleader]

So, I was looking at the gun collection at the Texas A&M University Sanders Corps Center Museum (Try saying THAT three times fast) and noticed, after looking through their massive hoard of gold-plated commerorative Colt revolvers (and a handful of gold-inlaid commerative 1911s), that they had a Nelson Volley Gun, AKA the Nock Gun.

This beast was a flintlock smoothbore that fired 7 .50 calibre balls at once, designed to basically shower an enemy ship's deck with whupass during a short-range fight. Problem was, nary a brave Englishman (or any other kind of man) could apparantly be found who could effectively handle the thing.

To be honest, I never had much interest in it, beyond it being yet another one of the "funny lookin' old guns" in that collection, until I played a recent videogame (a western called "Gun") where the main villian used a Nock Gun as his weapon of choice.

So, does anyone know much about this gun, or, for that matter, has anyone had a chance to play with one?

 

[Chawbaccer]

I remember reading once that one of the Alamo defenders used a volley gun. I know nothing more than that tho.

 

[History Nut]

Nock Volley Gun

If you want to read some fun historical fiction involving the Nock Volley Gun, pick up some of the 'Sharpe series' by Bernard Cornwell. It is featured prominently as the favorite of Sargeant Harper. Mr. Cornwell, though writing fiction, does a great job of presenting the historical setting and seems to know his period firearms well. There was also a video series made from the books but the Volley Gun didn't get much screen time in it. Most of what I know about the Volley Gun and the Baker Rifle are from his books.

 

[Duncaninfrance]

If you want to read some fun historical fiction involving the Nock Volley Gun, pick up some of the 'Sharpe series' by Bernard Cornwell. It is featured prominently as the favorite of Sargeant Harper. Mr. Cornwell, though writing fiction, does a great job of presenting the historical setting and seems to know his period firearms well. There was also a video series made from the books but the Volley Gun didn't get much screen time in it. Most of what I know about the Volley Gun and the Baker Rifle are from his books.

Quite right HN. I am not shure but I think that the Nock refered to is one Henry Nock of London who made a brass Sea Service pistol which I fired once.
It was in a hotel in Northampton, England that I used to stay at every week. The owner, who I still correspond with, said one night after all the guests had left the dining room and we were talking shooting over a glass or two of good Port, " Would you like to shoot it (pistol)" "What now?" I said. Without furthewr adoo he went into the kitchen and brought a cardboard box in. He then proceeded to load the pistol with a half charge and a paper napkin. He then gave it to me, put the box at the other side of the room and said " Go on, have a blast"! I did, and as the smoke and powder bits cleared his wife came in and slapped us both!! " I have TOLD you NOT to play with that in here before" she told him. A great guy!!

My post BAKER C1812 has some pictures of my Baker.
Duncan

 

[4v50 Gary]

A Nock volley gun (early model) may be seen in the Charleston City Museum, Charleston, SC.

 

[Matt-man]

A place called The Rifle Shoppe sells locks, barrels, and other parts that you can use to build a volley gun.

I don't know if any of you remember a TV series from the '80s called "The Young Riders," but one episode featured the main characters using volley guns. One of them was knocked over backward when he fired the gun from his shoulder (the others had braced them against boulders and whatnot). I guess TV gets things right once in a while...