Humankind’s history began with simple weapons—think clubs, spears, and rocks launched from slingshots. From there, weapons evolved alongside the evolution of the human imagination. Every generation added its own innovation, from the invention of gunpowder to the splitting of the atom. But not every weapon was a winner. Here are 10 examples of weapons that looked cool but were actually totally useless.
Nock Volley Gun: Precursor to the Machine Gun
Volley guns, which could shoot multiple rounds at once, were already commonplace by the 1700s when the Nock volley gun was invented. Named after Henry Nock, an acclaimed gun manufacturer, the Nock gun was immediately appealing because it was light enough for one man to hold. Featuring a central barrel surrounded by six additional barrels at rifle length, this gun could shoot seven rounds in one go. Unfortunately, its recoil was so forceful that it left soldiers crippled. Ultimately, the invention of the machine gun in the 1880s left the Nock volley gun obsolete.
Davy Crockett Launch Tube: World’s Smallest Nuke
In the 1950s, the U.S. Army manufactured a new delivery method for nuclear warheads called the Davy Crockett launch tube. This was essentially a cannon that required three men to operate it by loading and firing a nuclear bomb at a target approximately 1.5 miles away. Not only was this highly dangerous for any soldiers operating the launch tube, but it turned out to be impossible to aim. While it was eventually authorized for manufacture, not one Davy Crockett launch tube made it to the battlefield.
Who Asked for This? The Colt Revolving Rifle
Repeating rifles were a fad during the 19th century during the American Civil War. In the 1850s, the Colt company developed their own revolving rifle, combining the multi-round capabilities of a revolver with the longer firing range of a rifle. Hundreds of these rifles were used in the War Between the States, and reports of their performance were mostly positive. However, the revolving rifle took too long to reload and required more training than other firearms.
The Record-Breaking Mars Pistol
In the year 1900, the Mars Automatic Pistol was both the largest and most powerful semi-automatic pistol in the world. However, its bulkiness also made it notoriously difficult to handle. With a powerful kick and overly complicated design, the pistol was even rejected by the British Army for use in service. Production stopped after around 100 units in 1907, and only a handful of known Mars pistols remain today.
The Gyrojet: Gun of the Future
Inspired by the space race of the 1960s, a firearms company called MBAssociates invented a new type of gun. The Gyrojet pistol and carbine rifle were two prototypes of guns that fired tiny rockets rather than bullets. One major drawback was the requirement of a very specific and expensive type of ammo. Another was that it was highly prone to malfunction. The Gyrojet brand never did catch on, but surviving guns are highly prized by today’s gun collectors.
LeMat Revolver: A Revolver and Shotgun in One
The LeMat Revolver appeared in the 19th century during the Civil War and Franco-Prussian War. The gun was noteworthy for its ability to shift from cylinder to barrel-fired ammo with the simple flip of a switch. Additionally, the cylinder was capable of firing buckshot, effectively turning the revolver into a shotgun. However, it was quickly outpaced by other innovations in the gun industry, and the sheer weight of this weapon made it highly unpopular.
Apache Revolver: The Swiss Army Knife of Guns
Invented sometime in the 1860s in France, the Apache Revolver combined brass knuckles, a folding knife, and a revolver into one handheld weapon. As innovative as it sounds, the revolver itself lacked a barrel and could fire only one weak shot. Still, it was effective at close range, and its compact size made it popular among petty thieves and criminals.
Too Big to Succeed: The Punt Gun
Essentially a 10-foot shotgun, the comically large punt gun was initially intended for hunting entire flocks of birds. With the possibility of shooting down 50-100 birds at once, the gun was most popular among outdoorsmen and sport hunters. Today, it’s technically legal to own and fire one of these guns, but it’s illegal to use this gun to hunt ducks and other migratory birds.
Chakram: From Ancient Times
Originating sometime in the 5th century BCE, the chakram was the weapon of choice among warriors in ancient India. A typical chakram has the circumference of a dinner plate with a sharpened outer edge. These weapons were known to sever limbs when thrown with enough force. While dangerous, chakrams require years of training to use effectively. Looking at the variety of weapons available today, it’s understandable why newer generations haven’t been taking up the art of chakram-throwing.
Just Around the Corner: The Krummlauf
WWII saw a new crop of imaginative weapons, such as the Krummlauf. This was a curved extension and scope that soldiers could attach to the end of a normal rifle, enabling them to peek and shoot around corners. It was useful in theory, but the bend in the attachment often caused bullets to splinter. What’s more, the Krummlauf had a lifetime of only around 300 rounds, making it an inefficient use of funds and manufacturing power.
