Rude’s Steam Gun (1861)

Readers of the August 10, 1861 Portland (Maine) Daily Advertiser learned of yet another steam gun – “Mr. David Rude of Skowhegan, has invented a new kind of arm, which promises to be as destructive as anything yet brought out.”  It was yet another “Centifugal Gun” to be used with steam. Few details were provided, other than at a recent trial the device had thrown a one ounce ball through a 1.5 inch thick plank!