Nock Volley Gun
Henry Nock · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1779
Also known as: Seven-Barrel Volley Gun, Nock Gun
Overview
The Nock Volley Gun was a seven-barrel flintlock long arm designed by James Wilson in 1779 and manufactured by London gunmaker Henry Nock for the Royal Navy. Its seven brazed-together barrels of roughly .50 caliber all fired simultaneously from a single flintlock, the central barrel igniting the six surrounding ones through interconnecting vents, intended to sweep an enemy deck during boarding actions. Despite its fearsome volley, ferocious recoil and the risk of igniting a ship's own sails and rigging kept it from wide use, and it was withdrawn from service by 1804.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 5440 g (191.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 927 mm (36.50") |
| Barrel Length | 510 mm (20.08") |
| Firing Mechanism | Flintlock |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 7 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Barrel Rifling | None |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
Calibers
- .50 Caliber Ball · primary — also known as 12.7mm round ball
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Muzzle Loaded
- Features: Seven Barrel, Muzzle Loading, Simultaneous Volley, Interconnected Vents
Service history
Operators
- Royal Navy · adopted 1780 · as Seven-Barrelled Volley Gun
Conflicts
- Great Siege of Gibraltar (1779-1783)
- Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815)
Production
Estimated total produced: 655 · Production years: 1780-1788
Built for the Royal Navy; production estimates range from ~549 to ~655 across multiple orders
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Designer: James Wilson
Discontinued: 1804
Notes
Caliber varies by source (~.32 to ~.50 bore); Royal Museums Greenwich gives 0.5 in. Service powder charge was later reduced from 2.5 to 1.5 drams per barrel to tame the recoil. About 655 built between 1780 and 1788.
Background
Designed to be fired down onto boarding parties from the 'fighting tops' of warships, it was rarely actually used at sea because discharging all seven barrels at once could ignite the ship's own rigging, and the brutal recoil could reportedly dislocate the firer's shoulder. It later became the signature weapon of Sergeant Harper in the Sharpe novels.