Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon from San Juan Hill

Benjamin Hotchkiss was an American artillery designer who moved to Paris in 1867 in hopes of building a business for his improvements in artillery shells. He experienced the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, and understood the failure of the French Mitrailleuse multi-barrel volley guns. In his opinion, an effective rapid-fire weapon needed to fire explosive projectiles to have a real effect at extended range (unlike the mitrailleuse which fired simple rifle bullets). So being the inventive sort, he went ahead and designed just such a gun. His revolving cannon was sized for 1-pound (450g) 37mm explosive shells (although he would also produce armor piercing and canister ammunition). The gun looks like a Gatling gun at first glance, but its mechanical operation is quite different.
The Hotchkiss cannon would become quite popular, with major purchases by the French and American navies as well as many other nations. They would serve into World War One, including some use repurposed as antiaircraft weapons. This particular example was captured by American forces in Cuba during the Spanish-American War, most likely from San Juan Hill. It is a magnificent example of the type, and with a fantastic historical provenance to match.
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[@ohnoitsandrew9538]

"It was manned by a 3-man crew The guy who had all the fun and the two guys who did most of the work"

[@Kiterum]

37mm HE Revolver Cannon. "Not a destructive device."

[@CheezyDee]

I'm sure the NYPD would have no problem with me having this in my front yard.

[@axelpatrickb.pingol3228]

Legally, it's way before any gun control measures were legislated, the same reason why Gatling guns and cannons in the 1800's are exempted -being curio and historical weapons...

[@brettallen8660]

@@CheezyDee They actually might. There's a military surplus store near Times Square that has too small Hotchkiss field guns right outside the store.

[@dj1NM3]

The gun is a "curio and relic" but each explosive round you want made would have to registered as a "destructive device" at $200 a pop. Unfortunately, you could only fire cannister or solid AP shot out of this without going bankrupt quickly.

[@aleramone23]

Lmao.

[@Chaosrain112]

"That's cool, I'm just gonna keep doing this for a minute." Ian is one with the Dakka.

[@frogjog8822]

judging by your profile, you thoght this looked like the brass beast too right?

[@davitdavid7165]

@@frogjog8822 the beast is brobably inspired by this thing.

[@frogjog8822]

@@davitdavid7165 Yeah! thats what I was thinking.

[@natedunn51]

Ian yelling from his battlement: I'm not shooting you because, legally it's not a firearm.

[@Lazarus7000]

The insanity of gun laws in one: 37mm rotary autocannon: not a firearm.

[@eggnogfrog]

That's funny!

[@dreamingflurry2729]

@@dodecahedron1 What? I wanted one for concealed carry :D ^^

[@hansmueller3029]

It is a destructive device.

[@hdog9046]

@@hansmueller3029 It is an antique, so it is not considered a destructive device.

[@PavarottiAardvark]

I've heard anecdotally that big easy to reach firing pins were popular with officers/designers because you could easily remove them if you had to abandon the weapon.

[@isthisit15]

My great great grandfather was the captain of A troop in the Rough Riders and he died at the battle of San Juan Hill. Teddy Roosevelt was deeply saddened and made a statement after his death. His name was Buckey O'Neill and if anyone has been to Prescott, AZ theres a statue of him in the middle of town. Thank you so much for this video Ian.

[@MangasColoradas941]

Didnt his child die because of premature birth

[@bushranger51]

I had a copy of the film the "The Rough Riders" which was based on them, Buckey O'Neill was played by Sam Elliot, and he gave a sterling rendition of the part. So if what you say is correct, then Buckey, according to the film was killed shortly before the storming of San Juan Hill, so technically yeah, he died AT the battle of San Juan, but not actually ON San Juan. It also said that prior to joining the Rough Riders he was Sheriff of Prescott, Arizona, sometime around statehood for Arizona.

[@isthisit15]

@@MangasColoradas941 He had multiple children.

[@floo1465]

I was gonna say I’m sorry for your loss, but then I realized he died over a hundred years ago.

[@dukecraig2402]

Buckey O'Neill, American Badass.

[@jamesmortimer4016]

"Obviously that´s not gonna work. What you need is exploding projectiles." is my default reply from now on

[@xscaliersolid1194]

A good comeback for any situation.

[@Hat-]

X ScalierSolid119 Indeed

[@hambrabai1256]

It's interesting to know the 40mm Flank Defense version of the Hotchkiss revolving cannon last saw use in 1940 at Fort de Longchamp. Those were weird variants though, armed entirely with canister shot and alternating rifling pitch in each barrel to let them sweep an area without moving the cannon much. They had a surprisingly long life.

[@mackcollasius3690]

That sounds utterly insane and I love it, sounds like an alternate history tree-clearing machine

[@me67galaxylife]

those were often paired with 1853/59/84 cannons from napoleon the 3rd's time, those were smoothbore guns modified with rifling added (1859) and the back cut off and replaced with a breech for loading (1884), although i doubt those were still in service in 1940

[@Themanwithnoscreenname]

You spin me right round baby Right round like Hotchkiss barrels Right round round round...

[@elementalist1984]

Nice

[@ranziecrawford9079]

Best comment

[@user-ro9zf9kz1h]

Noice.

[@duncanidaho2097]

Absolute gold. Going to try it on my gf. Er the phrase not the gun.

[@zacht9447]

I'm surprised no tank designer tried slapping one of these into an FT17 tank

[@jasonirwin4631]

It way to big to fit in the FT17 turret. The clip loading system would also collide with the turret top.

[@zacht9447]

@@jasonirwin4631 it would obviously require a different turret it's just surprising No one tried sticking it in a tank

[@Hubert_Cumberdale_]

@@zacht9447 the system was outdated by that time but it would have been cool.

[@zacht9447]

@@Hubert_Cumberdale_ considering that the actual armament of the ft17 fired basically the same shell and was a breech loader I'd have to disagree

[@dominicksmeech2994]

Honestly, I think it'd be cool to see an FT17 based tank destroyer with this as its main gun, as part of an alternate history or sci-fi of WW1. Could you imagin the carnage this thing could bring to an advancing line of british war horse tanks?

[@StevieB8363]

A gun so badass, even the firing pin is actually a lethal weapon. Frick'n awesome!

[@blondiejoemanco226]

“A country that’s never gonna go to war because there’s an ocean between us and everyone else.” If only :(

[@ianwalker8042]

Laughs in democracy.

[@God-mb8wi]

@@ianwalker8042 laughs in "democracy"

[@EvitoCruor]

Drop the quotations, it's Precisely what democracy brings.

[@apollyon185]

laughs in australia

[@God-mb8wi]

@@EvitoCruor yeah, i know. i was calling out democracy for the fad it is

[@charleslindberg829]

The firing pin is a separate weapon when you run out of ammo. Last ditch, but it will certainly do the job. Messily. But it will.

[@TheMattc999]

Charlie Rajnus SOLD.

[@chrisjones6002]

I wouldn't call it messy compared to the 37mm explosive shell, lol

[@carsongeye1462]

Chris Jones Especially that canister, that can’t be pretty.

[@fastmongrel]

Fix it to a wooden pole and you have a very good Pikestaff

[@Noeland]

Indeed!!

[@Ralph-yn3gr]

To elaborate on the naval use for anyone curious, they were used as anti-torpedo boat weapons. Planners in the late 1870s/early 1880s were worried that their big, expensive, slow battleships with their big guns with very slow rates of fire would be swarmed by small, cheap, fast speedboats armed with then-new self-propelled torpedoes once they got close to the enemy's coast line. These things, along with similar weapons like Gardner guns or Nordenfelt volley guns, were placed on battleships and cruisers to give themselves something to defend themselves with, since early torpedoes were slow and had very short ranges. As the range of torpedoes improved small guns like these became less useful, and the role was eventually taken over by destroyers.

[@Klaaism]

To be fair, they were right to be worried. Let alone when planes became a thing.

[@j.f.fisher5318]

basically an early pom pom.

[@Ralph-yn3gr]

@@j.f.fisher5318 Basically. I've heard that some of the ones that saw service with the British were even called pm poms, although I'm not sure how true that is.

[@bsgtrekfan88]

Man imagine manning this thing and seeing a wave of torps coming at you? Man I would be all D Miller and go balls to the walls. My arms would be dead after lol.

[@twistedyogert]

​@@bsgtrekfan88 I wonder if there eventually would've been plans to electrify these had history been different.

[@Mrgunsngear]

Now I need one in my life

[@bradenculver7457]

If only I could afford one

[@machinist7230]

@@bradenculver7457 the one Ian is using in the video went for $132,000.

[@bradenculver7457]

@@machinist7230 ikr... I cry every night looking at the price of a Hotchkiss cannon that will never be the center piece of my living room

[@machinist7230]

@@bradenculver7457 there was a downsized reproduction in .50 bmg. That was auctioned off at RIA five years ago for 26 grand...

[@nottheatf5608]

Don’t we all

[@DrummerTheAndre]

But Ian, You forgot the extraction and ejection phase of the cycle. How will I be able to reproduce one in my home machine shop now?!

[@TheMattc999]

DrummerTheAndre innovation my friend, innovation.

[@WesleyMR_]

FORGOTTENQUESTIONS

[@davidschmidt6013]

Thanx, Andre. I also wondered about extraction. After he showed that 'ramp' for the final bit o' pushing for the cartridge, I thought he'd get to the extraction but then he talked about the tools etc.

[@tuckhayes9402]

Hey ! I found an animation of this weapon that is way cool...vbbsmyt hotchkiss animation. Enjoy. have a awesome day!....thank you c-19...lol

[@Psiberzerker]

Caseless?

[@Ashfielder]

Just as Othais was informing me about Hotchkiss’ cannon, Ian finds one.

[@willkriegforkartoffeln4878]

Bro, I used to see you on all the old Battlefield and War Thunder videos. Good to see you again.

[@b.griffin317]

spooky huh?

[@ardenelenduil2334]

Hahaha, I noticed that too. Othais talking about the history of the Hotchkiss, with a picture of this cannon.

[@jamessutton3461]

Time for another joint production between the two channels? They really do compliment eachother, Ian gets the funky hardware, Othias takes a deep dive into the history.

[@therugburnz]

I wasn't even aware of this weapon. I'm not usually into cannon but this is fascinating. The deapth of the mechanisms workings in such a short time. Are there other iterations?

[@TheRogueWolf]

The world's most intimidating coffee grinder.

[@deltawolf7766]

For those long days in the office. When you need an extra kick you your morning.

[@xscaliersolid1194]

@@deltawolf7766 Or your coworkers do...😗

[@Yourantsally]

You've never met my barista...

[@dynamicpaintball]

"obviously that's not gonna work, what you need is exploding projectiles" this Hotchkiss guy sounds like he knew a good time.

[@williamallan5791]

can that really be called a firing pin? honestly it's more of a firing stake

[@davidsolyom5604]

A weapon by itself.

[@unluckyirish2763]

If the enemy gets too close, pull out the firing pin and go hand to hand. Bayonet vs firing pin

[@andreasmuller4666]

Damn that is a beautiful piece of gun enginering.

[@ComradeBenedict]

Tomorrow: Ian fires the Hotchkiss revolving cannon from the shoulder

[@YourFavoriteBotGarethThompson]

"This is a little backwater country that's never going to war." Laughs in 20th century

[@Rammkommando]

said backwater country spends the rest of the century fighting something

[@pandamusic8373]

My great great grandfather was colonel Martin crimmins. He was in the rough riders, and close friends with TDR- we have many letters from him to my grandfather, and a picture after the battle of San Juan hill. He saw this thing!!!! So cool.

[@pokemaster123ism]

mtman2 my nigga that’s crazy, but I don’t remember asking

[@Lenn869]

@@pokemaster123ism the schizo posting on this website has truly gotten out of hand over the last year

[@themadscientest]

Must be very cool to have some handwritten letters by President Roosevelt! Having someone's handwriting is a very cool way to connect with the past.

[@disgruntledpedant2755]

What did pawn star rick harrison offer you for them?

[@pandamusic8373]

@@disgruntledpedant2755 so much money that my old money ass became new money

[@Atownforevilones]

Not a firearm you say? Looks Like I've found my California legal defense hahaa.

[@SprayNpreyT]

and no need for recoil-reducing stock

[@vrisbrianm4720]

"transfer as if"

[@roadsweeper1]

Good home defence weapon, just make sure you actually hit the intruder, or you wont have much of a home left... easy to clean up too, just get a mop for whats left :)

[@trubin5619]

All you gotta do now is mount it to your Tesla. Lol

[@trubin5619]

T Sattoon I don’t know if anyone makes an inside the waistband holster for this thing tho

[@sixstringedthing]

MOAR DAKKA: HISTORICAL EDITION Now this is the kind of thing I subscribed for!

[@feistyvillain7308]

Hand-cranked big, chunky gears; a number of cannon barrels greater than one, explosions, optional shotgun machine cannon, never has to stop shooting, this earns an adequate dakka seal of approval.

[@CrysResan]

It's an antique prototype heavy bolter.

[@LeroyJ12]

@@CrysResan rofl

[@ArcturusOTE]

Approved by both the Imperium and especially Orks

[@ColeBlueford]

If you paint it blue it will never miss.

[@hlauren2001]

"Not a destructive device". So filed under "revolving t-shirt cannon" then?

[@0115Heather]

What a well thought out weapon. Everything from the safety features to help prevent out-of-battery hang fires and the way the “loading gate” prevents double feed, to the tool and part storage compartment and easily accessible internals. The mechanics on this cannon are incredible. I’ll take two please!😁

[@JetsBauer]

Wonder if Wal-Mart has a couple boxes of ammo for this beast....ill go tomorrow and ask

[@elementalist1984]

Lol. Any luck with that?

[@tipr8739]

Walmart is part of every town for gun safety. They are trying to make guns illegal. Don’t shop there. For anything

[@asvaldr4854]

Lmk what you find out, fam.

[@Cruisey]

@@tipr8739 What are jokes?

[@demo-server4091]

not just any beast a brass beast

[@Morbacounet]

Physician : Ian, more sport would be good for your health. *Ian buys a Hotchkiss as an all in one straining machine*

[@ianfinrir8724]

The Gun JesusTotal Gym: Over 5 unique muscle building exercises

[@WendiGonerLH]

I love how somewhat obscure firearms designs are coming back into public eye, specifically in video games. One of these cannons shows up in the Guarma segment of Red Dead Redemption 2, as you fight off a warship from the battlements of a crumbling fortress.

[@GlowingSpamraam]

“Obviously that wasent going to work What you need is explosive projectiles” smiles at camera with deadly intent

[@mazkact]

I can see it in my living room pointed at the front door.

[@jonasglanshed]

I need to see this firing.

[@k.r.baylor8825]

Yeah, but where does one purchase 37mm ammo of that size? They probably haven't had that as mil surplus since the... 1920s.

[@robertcalifornia9641]

Its used in rdr2 at some point

[@bensmith4563]

You have it made

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

LOOK for the Movie "Rough Riders (1997)." At about 2 hours, you can see it in action.

[@user-ji8ki3hn1n]

Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon youtube . com/watch?v=hHN3d0r2g0c

[@mikebell719]

Ian, the only thing that you didn't cover was the ejection of the empty cartridges. I'd imagine that it was designed to eject the spent cartridges from the bottom. Another informative video of a innovative weapon that has been the basis for many more designs still in use in modern technology. Thank you.

[@Cheesepuff8]

Yeah I was wondering how it ejected Maybe it’s out the bottom but at 10:17 he calls the bit where the mag goes the ejection port

[@davidschneider9145]

Me after playing Red Dead Redemption 2: „Hey, I‘ve seen this one!“

[@benspeedschannel888]

How does the extraction work??

[@ionstorm66]

The loading bolt has a rack and pinion, that drives a second rack underneath that has the extractor. So as the bolt goes forward the extractor retracts, and vice versa.

[@spudgunn8695]

Just as I was going to ask that myself, I decided to read the comments first! Might ask again anyway...

[@LeroyJ12]

I was waiting for Ian to explain it but i dont think he did

[@Reactordrone]

You can see it in the left hand side of the receiver. The rim is rotated into the extractor and when the rammer moves forwards the extractor moves rearwards.

[@danielburgess7785]

@@Reactordrone Thank you.

[@Opaheke1]

*This* sort of content is the reason why I genuinely love this channel!

[@macdeath69]

5:06 : krank krank krank.. smug appears... "that's cool I'm just gonna keep doing this for a minute..."

[@scottyd8]

You have the greatest job in the world. Playing with guns all day.

[@csours]

Unlisted? I was quite concerned when I didn't see a Forgotten Weapons video on my feed today.

[@d4ngru5h83]

Same, ah well it'll go nicely with my 1am coffee :)

[@elsoldadomarquez]

me too, l am used to drink a coffee and see lan in the morning, today just get the coffee.

[@d4ngru5h83]

@@elsoldadomarquez it usually goes well with my lunch,

[@augustvanhout2163]

12:10 instructions for buying a gun?

[@thomasschreiber9559]

Took long enough, after 8:00 pm Eastern time!

[@turbowolf302]

I can't afford it, I know I can't. But I waount it.

[@LeroyJ12]

I feel that

[@wilsoncalhoun]

C'mon, brah. Nobody _really_ needs two kidneys.

[@ethanwall2443]

@@wilsoncalhoun where can I sell a kidney

[@karolinska1601]

That sure is a different way if spelling "want."

[@joshsquatch7474]

Waount

[@shoppapa7238]

This completely changed everything I thought I knew about firearm innovation in this time period. Just the shell alone I didn't realize that design was in use yet.

[@MyRobertgrant]

That I didn't know. I always though Mr Hotchkiss was French, as the Hotchkiss was French WW1 HMG. . Thanks for educating me.

[@NoobNoob-ss5hs]

"Is it a Gatling Gun ripoff?" Yes, but actually, no.

[@jubb1984]

So when are you taking this beauty to the range? :)

[@Naomi-Wu]

Beautiful! 😍

[@CountCrapula.]

I saw you once on ADVchina's video.. never thought I'd spot you on Gun Jesus' comment section as well

[@pierre-rodolphetran-van7585]

Because, is french.

[@Naomi-Wu]

@@CountCrapula. Big fan☺️

[@ShaneRodarte]

I don't own any firearms anymore but I do appreciate the history, mechanics, and engineering of firearms. Every time I start one of your videos I am glued to the screen like 12 year old boy. Extremely educational with out the BS. Love it.

[@duachim]

Not used to watching a forgotten weapon as Im getting ready for work vs making my eggs n toast when I get home.......either starting or ending my day, a forgotten weapon is the best way to do it!

[@ianfurqueron5850]

Holy Crap!!! One of these sits on a WW1 memorial monument in a town near me. It used to sit on the end of the bridge across the creek, but was moved when the bridge was replaced about 20 years ago. If you look up Hulmeville Inn on Googlemaps, go to the street view and pay across the street from the inn, you can see the cannon on top of the memorial. I've been meaning to snap a picture of is and email it to Ian, but when I saw the title of this video I thought, "I bet that's it!!" and I was right.

[@k.r.baylor8825]

The man is right. On Trenton Rd, Hulmeville, Pennsylvania 19047, right across the street from Hulmeville Inn, is a Hotchkiss revolving cannon (only) mounted on top of a 8-ft high memorial plinth. I'm looking at it on a somewhat blurry Google Street View in the town's "Heritage Park." Hopefully someone (local VFW?) is keeping that gun in good condition. The brass looks to be intact, and the iron barrels look to be dark and maintained.

[@afox7040]

I saw this in their catalog a few days a go and thought "I want to see this on forgotten weapons." Sure enough here it is. Thank you for covering this one. Much appreciated.

[@a.arnold7494]

This is one of the coolest, most well designed mechanisms I have ever seen. Thank you for sharing this!

[@thelegendaryklobb2879]

"Say hola to my little amigo!"

[@NeoGroFabius]

Ay caramba

[@ozarktheshark8931]

Dile hola a mi pequeño amigo!

[@petev.6598]

That loading "clip". :D

[@terminator572]

Wouldn't it be a magazine?

[@christopherzarcone1363]

Dorvuzak Uzn it functions more similarly to a stripper clip than a detachable magazine IMO

[@skepticalbadger]

@@terminator572 Nope. No spring.

[@Americas_Laziest_Photographer]

Agreed. It's a clip, not a magazine

[@goiterlanternbase]

Now im confused. I thought i got it, but than comes this. Not a clip, not inserted to the gun.

[@SPQRxUSAxNUSA]

I really appreciate your commentary and well thought out descriptions of these ancient weapons. thank you

[@Noeland]

I always enjoy the history lessons that come along with weapons like this. Thanks Ian. Can't even wait to get that new book!!

[@bthsr7113]

I love seeing the big pieces. They are a rare treat on this show. This is one I didn't know of, but will stay with me.

[@jeffbangle4710]

Hmm, I found this via Bloke on Range's Facebook post, and can't find it by searching directly on KZbin...

[@pguth98]

@@andreahighsides7756 me too buddy

[@tnutts42]

I just found it no problem when I manually searched it.

[@randomfamilyman4876]

“Honey, I know what I want for my birthday this year”

[@frederickwise5238]

I had "the remains" of one of the explosive rounds. My dad found it in a dump near Granville Oh in 1940.The primer had been fired, the projectile had had the 3xplosive removed and its a shame we kids played with it all thru WWII and it got beat up. Never knew what it was till I stumbled on this video by accident. Stopped the vid and did a frame by frame back & forth at 6+minutes to look closely at the cartridge. BINGO. Thanks Ian!! I gave it to my son years ago and he uses it as a"decorative paperweight" on his desk

[@greavous93]

Too late to make coffee and watch so Im having a bourbon.

[@dunxy]

Me too, im enjoying some crazy bird!

[@dukecraig2402]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍Because I could only click the like button once.

[@chickenmad]

Ian, you forgot to list this one.

[@lebesnec]

Ian, 2 week ago I visited a fort near Grenoble, France where this kind of gun was in place. Unfortunately there are not there anymore. The guy who tour the fort told us that each barrel has a different thread so each ammunition would spin on itself at a different speed which would make them explode at different times. The idea was to make them explode at different distance so the "buckshots" would cover a bigger area.

[@laurean5998]

I don't think that is how it works, I can see the different spread patterns with a canister round work, but they don't explode. The twist rate shouldn't affect the time the projectile spends in the air and programmable grenades set to explode after a set number of revolutions were not invented when this gun was in service.

[@nathanlynch9634]

I'm learning more from this channel than I ever did in my history lessons.

[@knyffeler]

One of your best videos Ian. Keep up the great work!

[@j.a.steiger7201]

This is one of my favorite gun designs. Thanks. Much simpler than a Gatllin'

[@ZeroKey92]

I LOVE the framing and shots in this!

[@indigomer]

This is actually a pretty amazing design. Effective layout with simplified parts, and everything you need to service it sitting inside its carriage. Very smart guy.

[@Snowball042]

There was one of these displayed outside my church’s grove building when I was a kid in the late 70’s. . Loved playing with it back then. Didn’t know it wasn’t a Gatling gun until I was in college during the 80’s. Wish I would have thought to offer the Church some $$$ for it when I could have purchased it.

[@hamboneneurosis995]

I was disappointed that my lunch break poop didn't include a new forgotten weapons. But, I am still happy to see this now

[@SuperOtter13]

That is one of the coolest cannon I have ever seen!! Thank you Ian for sharing this with us!

[@devonandrewmills]

Top tier information bud. I was reading some fiction and saw the Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon mentioned. Never heard or saw it before. Very enlightening. Thanks for the video.

[@AlexLee-dc2vb]

This is why we love this channel

[@Big_Loo]

"This is a backwater country that's never going to go to war." Bwahahahahahahahaha!

[@Edax_Royeaux]

We didn't exactly bring our artillery with us in WWI so Hotchkiss was right on the money with that one. The US adopted the French 75mm.

[@RedRocky54]

I mean, for a man who lived and died in the 1800s he wasn't really wrong within context. The US didn't really become a major military power until half a century after his death.

[@fredford7642]

Superb video! Ian you seem to always out do yourself.You are the MAN!

[@Masternater1000]

Quite possibly the coolest thing you have ever reviewed Ian, btw you live a charmed life.

[@jeffsmith2022]

" Civilized Warfare", think about that for a few minutes...A very cool gun, IMO...

[@majungasaurusaaaa]

Europeans and their frequent limited wars that were extensions of diplomacy. Your rival today could be your ally tomorrow. Being "civilized" makes going back to the negotiation table easier, which was the goal to begin with. You've got lots of small countries sharing the same faith and values. And you're unlikely to be able to wipe anyone out after defeating them. Elsewhere in the world wars were waged with genocidal intend and rules cooked up in Switzerland looked silly.

[@HecklerKochTV]

"This thing is basically the GMG of the 19th century" there fixed it for you.

[@ForgottenWeapons]

Touche.

[@therugburnz]

Ahh, rotating action, my favorite. Thanx Ian.

[@irodwen]

excellent job Ian, keep up your contribution to history.

[@marinchapuis8720]

This might be the coolest thing you've ever reviewed, amazing stuff! Best gun channel on YT by far

[@thatguynameddan2136]

Ooh, this pairs quite well with C&Rsenal's Hotchkiss video, just like a good meal and a fine wine.

[@billd.iniowa2263]

Absolutely amazing video. I cant get around very well anymore so a museum visit is pretty much out of the question. But your videos take me right there and give me a guided tour to boot. Thankyou so much!

[@russellfreestone8580]

A very detailed and informative video and very clearly spoken. Excellent

[@wilsonj4705]

"Civilized Warfare" Now there's an oxymoron

[@BigBoiBleu]

I was just thinking that 😂

[@DFX2KX]

In large part, yeah. The whole idea was/is "War is terrible enough as it is, let's at least try and limit it's terribleness when possible/to the people that signed up to fight"

[@darkblood626]

No it's really not. Civilized warfare is bad. Uncivilized warfare is much, much worse. Just search for a list of banned weapons and tactics and you’ll understand why.

[@grahamlopez6202]

It makes sense. Just because we're at war doesnt mean we should be uncivil. Shoot the enemy dead, dont torture them for fun. Use mines made of metal, not plastic. Be polite, but be effective. See? Civil.

[@steve1978ger]

@@darkblood626 - there's always worse, and I'd accept a term like "regulated warfare", but the idea that war can in any way be "civil" is a bit of a stretch. Even "legal warfare" is a doubtful concept, because there is nothing in the Declaration of Human Rights that makes an exception for soldiers to their right as human beings to life, freedom, etcetera - so every war is immediately at odds with one of the oldest, most fundamental, and most widely accepted pieces of international law.

[@davidgreen40]

Made in France. Should be in Ian's collection

[@MrEvan312]

Watching the guts of this thing in action is so satisfying, reminds me of really old clocks and such. The bigger and chunkier the parts, the more satisfying I find it.

[@SeptimusAugustusI]

Finally something useful for home defence, thanks Ian!

[@TheAlexagius]

I imagine against airships this would be very useful, after all they're not going fast and the HE rounds would cause a big badda boom

[@moriskurth628]

The HE ammo would also ignite the gas cells in the Airship, making them more effective than, say, conventional shells. It's is pretty much the gun you want for a steam- or dieselpunk setting: Big firepower, high rate of fire, but low-tech enough as to not stick out too much, yet still kinda unusual and unique. Just imagine airships going at one another, armed with batteries of these bad boys.

[@skepticalbadger]

If you can actually reach the airship, yes.

[@4schitzangiggles]

You'd have to get lucky and hit a metal frame member or an engine to get the shell to explode, otherwise you're just poking holes in the fabric that covers and contains the lifting gas.

[@TrakesFangs]

How do you get ammo for this thing? Lol I guess it's one of those "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" kind of things...

[@moredistractions]

You would probably have to manufacture reproduction ammo and that's where it would get legally complex. The cannon might not be considered a weapon but the shells would probably fall under some NFA type regulation.

[@ToastytheG]

Cusrom tooled cartridges... it costs $400,000 to fire this weapon... for twelve seconds.

[@dj1NM3]

@@moredistractions HE shells definitely, but solid shot or cannister on the other hand...

[@FairlyUnknown]

You buy this as a collector, no way in hell would you fire this even if you could get your hands on the ammo somehow.

[@Tremulousnut]

@@ToastytheG $400,000 would be worth it if you're using it for its intended purpose, shooting at light armour or slower aircraft.

[@David_Brinkerhoff93]

That's definitely an ASSAULT CANNON!!!!

[@baumannmichael95]

This is why i love this channel.

[@Arussiandoge]

A WEAPON TO SURPASS TWO WORLD WARS .45

[@Lindeman08]

I wish you would have shown and talked about the extraction mechanic aswell.

[@kman1975f]

I remember seeing this in the "Rough Riders" miniseries, great piece of film. Was curious about them every since, cool to see you do a video on one!

[@MyTv-]

Nothing says home defence like this little beauty!

[@anotherrandomtexan25]

Would love to hear this freakin thing fire! And its a great size for CC, much smaller than the Abrams I'm using now!

[@spikespa5208]

See Forgotten Weapons YT post of October 18, 2020.

[@LazyLifeIFreak]

Still searching for the legendary 80mm version.

[@elementalist1984]

Especially if they had a buckshot round.

[@clydebalcom8252]

Hotchkiss and Gatling had a meeting of the minds. Oh My Giddy Aunt, I love it!!!

[@nicholasmaugeri759]

Thanks for posting this. Ever since I saw “The Rough Riders” movie always wanted to see more about this.