A Weapon for Mass Hunting
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, market hunters used punt guns, enormous shotguns designed to take down entire flocks of birds with a single shot. These massive firearms could measure up to 10 feet long and weigh over 100 pounds, making them impossible to fire by hand.
Mounted on Boats for Maximum Impact
Punt guns were mounted on small flat-bottomed boats called punts, which allowed hunters to steer silently toward waterfowl. A single shot could kill 50 to 100 birds at once, providing a huge supply of ducks and geese for commercial sale.
Banned Due to Overhunting
Their devastating efficiency led to the rapid decline of bird populations. By the early 1900s, governments in the United States and Britain began outlawing punt guns, leading to their disappearance from commercial hunting.
Surviving as a Historical Curiosity
Today, punt guns are museum exhibits and occasionally used in ceremonial or historical shooting events. Their immense size and power remain a reminder of an era when hunting technology prioritized volume over precision.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, market hunters used punt guns, enormous shotguns designed to take down entire flocks of birds with a single shot. These massive firearms could measure up to 10 feet long and weigh over 100 pounds, making them impossible to fire by hand.🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/Yp3xD8oUPN
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) February 8, 2025