An actual New Land pattern pistol

[kronckew]

this did give an inventor an idea. one of the first attempts at a rapid fire multi shot weapon was a series of stacked charges and projectiles with touch holes located in the propellant section of each charge, and a sliding ignition system that was moved back after each shot. it never caught on. photo attached below.

oddly enough, there is a modern equivalent that progressed from that idea. it is called 'metal storm' which combines the stacked charge idea with the french multi-barrel mitrailleuse volley gun and an electronic firing system, and can adjustably burst fire up to one million rounds per minute. if you've not seen one in action, youtube has scads of videos. the electronic system allows anything from 1 to 1x10^6 rpm, and can fire in waves, and patterns. rifles, pistols and 40mm grenade launchers are available.