Discussion
Knowing that the PH collective is a rational and balanced body, I decided to run something by it to seek a consensus of opinion on the following
event.
I’ve been a member of a rifle club for 5 years now. This is all about target shooting over 25-yard ranges, using .22 calibre rifles in the disciplines of sporting (standing), prone and bench rest. Air pistols and rifles and PCP rifle are used too.Some mebers have have semi-auto hardware (rifle and pistol) and only .22LR ammunition is used.
About a month ago, one of our members started a closed Facebook group. I contributed a few pictures and a couple of pieces on historic guns. These were liked and the group mod was grateful for them.
I posted the following one about a week ago and it was approved by the mod and went online.
Here it is…
Here's today's oddity so feast your eyes on the Puckle gun. This was patented in 1718 and was designed as an anti-boarding weapon for use on board ship.
It had a 3-foot barrel with a 1.1/4 inch bore and could fire up to 11 shots from its revolving cylinder.As it was a flintlock weapon, it was necessary to prime the lock before each shot. It was also necessary to have a second operator, the 'charger', to reload the detachable cylinder.
interestingly, two versions were offered. One fired conventional spherical projectiles, i.e. musket balls. This was for use against Christian enemies.
The second fired square bullets, particularly at Muslim Turks. These projectiles were thought to do more damage(!). In the patent, it was stated that they would, "convince the Turks of the benefits of Christian civilization".
Were this to prove inadequate, the gun was able to fire grapeshot, with each discharge containing sixteen musket balls.
British armed forces found the gun clumsy and its flintlock ignition was 'undependable' and beset with mechanical problems.
It's believed that as few as just two guns were produced, one a crude prototype made of iron, the other a finished weapon made from brass. The one pictured is a replica, displayed at the Buckler's Hard Maritime Museum.
…ENDS
OK, soon afterwards, I received what is below. I’ve altered only the person’s name and kept out the club’s name.
Mr. I. 7 December 20:46
And what the hell does this have to do with target shooting? It is an instrument of WAR and has sod-all to do with target shooting! You sir, by posting this image, are precisely the WRONG sort of ambassador for the sport of target shooting.
Mr. I. 8 December 20:46
Mr Xxxx I have to ask, what planet are you on? I only read your racist comments this morning. I am truly horrified that you think that the image and the text are appropriate for this forum. You are a disgrace to [the club]!
Mr. I. 8 December 10:33
Mr Xxxx I have to ask, what planet are you on? I only read your racist comments this morning. I am truly horrified that you think that the image and the text are appropriate for this forum. You are a disgrace to [the club]!
You’ve had the small backstory and as you see, I’ve made no prompts of any kind. What to we think? Thanks.
event.
I’ve been a member of a rifle club for 5 years now. This is all about target shooting over 25-yard ranges, using .22 calibre rifles in the disciplines of sporting (standing), prone and bench rest. Air pistols and rifles and PCP rifle are used too.Some mebers have have semi-auto hardware (rifle and pistol) and only .22LR ammunition is used.
About a month ago, one of our members started a closed Facebook group. I contributed a few pictures and a couple of pieces on historic guns. These were liked and the group mod was grateful for them.
I posted the following one about a week ago and it was approved by the mod and went online.
Here it is…
Here's today's oddity so feast your eyes on the Puckle gun. This was patented in 1718 and was designed as an anti-boarding weapon for use on board ship.
It had a 3-foot barrel with a 1.1/4 inch bore and could fire up to 11 shots from its revolving cylinder.As it was a flintlock weapon, it was necessary to prime the lock before each shot. It was also necessary to have a second operator, the 'charger', to reload the detachable cylinder.
interestingly, two versions were offered. One fired conventional spherical projectiles, i.e. musket balls. This was for use against Christian enemies.
The second fired square bullets, particularly at Muslim Turks. These projectiles were thought to do more damage(!). In the patent, it was stated that they would, "convince the Turks of the benefits of Christian civilization".
Were this to prove inadequate, the gun was able to fire grapeshot, with each discharge containing sixteen musket balls.
British armed forces found the gun clumsy and its flintlock ignition was 'undependable' and beset with mechanical problems.
It's believed that as few as just two guns were produced, one a crude prototype made of iron, the other a finished weapon made from brass. The one pictured is a replica, displayed at the Buckler's Hard Maritime Museum.
…ENDS
OK, soon afterwards, I received what is below. I’ve altered only the person’s name and kept out the club’s name.
Mr. I. 7 December 20:46
And what the hell does this have to do with target shooting? It is an instrument of WAR and has sod-all to do with target shooting! You sir, by posting this image, are precisely the WRONG sort of ambassador for the sport of target shooting.
Mr. I. 8 December 20:46
Mr Xxxx I have to ask, what planet are you on? I only read your racist comments this morning. I am truly horrified that you think that the image and the text are appropriate for this forum. You are a disgrace to [the club]!
Mr. I. 8 December 10:33
Mr Xxxx I have to ask, what planet are you on? I only read your racist comments this morning. I am truly horrified that you think that the image and the text are appropriate for this forum. You are a disgrace to [the club]!
You’ve had the small backstory and as you see, I’ve made no prompts of any kind. What to we think? Thanks.
Edited by davhill on Sunday 10th December 04:29
so 2 negative comments and you write all this. yes the comment about Muslims seems very old fashioned, always stick to the rules in new social circles never talk about politics or religion. I would just make a apology comment and forget about it. Worse things to get in a sweat about.
Merely making two points:-
One is evolutionary...
Black powder was invented in China in the 10th Century.
Hand cannon were in use in Europe by the 14th Century.
These evolved into the arquebus, the musket, the rifled musket.
They are all guns, target rifles or not.
The scond is factual...
'My comments' were actually facts taken from the Puckle gun's patent of nearly 300 years ago. They were not opinions.
One is evolutionary...
Black powder was invented in China in the 10th Century.
Hand cannon were in use in Europe by the 14th Century.
These evolved into the arquebus, the musket, the rifled musket.
They are all guns, target rifles or not.
The scond is factual...
'My comments' were actually facts taken from the Puckle gun's patent of nearly 300 years ago. They were not opinions.
The Spruce goose said:
On the subject of old guns the Nock Gun from Sharpe always interested me, and Harper was the only man big enough to take the recoil.
I understand that in reality, a standing man couldn't comfotably fire a fully loaded nock gun - shoulder injuries and dislocation were commonplace.Apparently, very few such guns were issued because of the risk of igniting the rigging and sails of ships. Also a human being can't shoot an unmounted Minigun at even a low rate of fire. Unless he's a Terminator!
Note to self. My artistic licence runs out soon.
Edited by davhill on Sunday 10th December 00:14
mybrainhurts said:
Call me pedantic, but that might have something to do with historical fact.
Are you suggesting such facts should be suppressed, lest some idiot gets offended?
no one is suppressing, don't post stupid, it is just common sense, once you know your social audience you adapt how you discuss things, you know what people do in the real world, off PH...Are you suggesting such facts should be suppressed, lest some idiot gets offended?
Sounds like Mr I is the sort of moaning old 
who would complain that his ice-cream is 'too cold'.
Ignore the tit. If he contains to annoy you, track him down and shoot him repeatedly in the backside with said Puckle Gun.
Be sure to use square bullets while repeatedly screaming "Does this convince you of the benefits of Christian civilisation you"
HTH
who would complain that his ice-cream is 'too cold'.Ignore the tit. If he contains to annoy you, track him down and shoot him repeatedly in the backside with said Puckle Gun.
Be sure to use square bullets while repeatedly screaming "Does this convince you of the benefits of Christian civilisation you
"HTH
The Spruce goose said:
mybrainhurts said:
Call me pedantic, but that might have something to do with historical fact.
Are you suggesting such facts should be suppressed, lest some idiot gets offended?
no one is suppressing, don't post stupid, it is just common sense, once you know your social audience you adapt how you discuss things, you know what people do in the real world, off PH...Are you suggesting such facts should be suppressed, lest some idiot gets offended?
littleowl said:
Sounds like Mr I is the sort of moaning old who would complain that his ice-cream is 'too cold'.
Ignore the tit. If he contains to annoy you, track him down and shoot him repeatedly in the backside with said Puckle Gun.
Be sure to use square bullets while repeatedly screaming "Does this convince you of the benefits of Christian civilisation you"
HTH
who would complain that his ice-cream is 'too cold'.Ignore the tit. If he contains to annoy you, track him down and shoot him repeatedly in the backside with said Puckle Gun.
Be sure to use square bullets while repeatedly screaming "Does this convince you of the benefits of Christian civilisation you
"HTH
Certainly does help - the consensus is more or less what I was looking for. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Mr.I. was conspicuous by his absence when I went to the club yesterday evening. It's the Christmas dinner at 1pm tomorrow so it'll be interesting to spot who's there.
It just pisses me off that the storm in a teacup has frightened the mod (a girl in her 20s) into wiping the whole thing off the page. I've the skin of a rhino and hardly care but it's a shame that my (100% correct) history posts have gone.
It'll all be the same in another 300 years.
Edited by davhill on Sunday 10th December 04:30
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff