Was this the world's first belt fed gun? With weapon and firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson

Published on March 3, 2021
Duration: 6:56

Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms & Artillery at the Royal Armouries, details the rare Treb Chain Rifle, potentially the world's first belt-fed firearm. This Victorian-era invention by Thomas Wright Gardner Treb featured an 'endless chain of short barrels' and an innovative gas-sealing mechanism, aiming to improve upon revolver limitations. Despite successful trials in 1859, its complexity and cost likely prevented adoption.

Quick Summary

The Treb Chain Rifle, potentially the world's first belt-fed firearm, was invented by Thomas Wright Gardner Treb. It featured an 'endless chain of short barrels' and an innovative gas-sealing mechanism, overcoming revolver capacity limits. Despite successful 1859 trials, its complexity and cost prevented adoption.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Treb Chain Rifle
  2. 00:30Treb Chain Rifle Features and Design
  3. 01:16Inventor Thomas Wright Gardner Treb
  4. 02:25Treb's Patent and Firing Mechanism
  5. 03:22Innovative Sealing Mechanism
  6. 03:58Belt-Fed Firearm Innovation
  7. 04:33Link to Hiram Maxim's Machine Gun
  8. 05:03Legacy and Military Trials
  9. 05:56Reasons for Non-Adoption

Frequently Asked Questions

What made the Treb Chain Rifle potentially the world's first belt-fed gun?

The Treb Chain Rifle featured an 'endless chain of short barrels,' allowing chambers to be strung together. This design overcame the limited capacity of traditional revolvers, a fundamental principle of belt-fed firearms.

Who invented the Treb Chain Rifle and when?

The Treb Chain Rifle was invented by Thomas Wright Gardner Treb of London, who was active in the mid-19th century. He patented improvements in revolving firearms and cannon, including this unique chain mechanism.

Did the Treb Chain Rifle have any unique mechanical features?

Yes, it incorporated an optional sealing mechanism to prevent gas loss between the chamber and barrel, a common issue with revolvers. Its firing mechanism also operated like a Colt single-action revolver.

Was the Treb Chain Rifle ever adopted by military forces?

Although it underwent successful trials in 1859, demonstrating reliability and accuracy, the Treb Chain Rifle was likely too expensive and cumbersome for widespread military adoption at the time. Only a few examples exist today.

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