Puckle Gun Targeted Turks Differently

The first machine gun was patented in 1718 with two distinct types of ammunition: round bullets for Christian enemies and square bullets for Muslim Turks. James Puckle designed his tripod-mounted, single-barreled flintlock weapon primarily as an anti-boarding gun for ships. According to Puckle's patent, the square bullets were designed to cause more painful and severe wounds, meant to "convince the Turks of the benefits of Christian civilization." Despite its innovation, the gun never saw combat, and only a few were ever produced.

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