Turret gun

A turret gun is a type of multi-shot hand-held firearm. It is a variation on the percussion revolver, designed with chambers in a drum mounted so it would rotate horizontally (around a vertically mounted pivot), rather than around a horizontal axis, in an attempt to circumvent the patent of Samuel Colt. Chambers opened in all directions, and the weapon was prone to row ignition^{[citation needed]}, all chambers firing in sequence, resulting in fatal accidents^{[citation needed]} because one chamber always faces the shooter.

Several designs were attempted, including an 1837 Cochran and an 1851 Porter.

A number of turret rifles were also attempted. None of these weapons were successful, due to the row-firing hazard. As a result, they are very rare and much sought-after.