In the annals of military history, not every firearm is destined for glory, some have secured their place in the dismal halls of failure. The insight into these misfires provides not only a cautionary tale for future design but also a stark contrast to the legendary firearms that have shaped our world.

The Sten gun MK II is a British submachine gun that entered service in 1940 during a time of national emergency. Martin Dougherty observed, “At a time when Britain faced invasion and vast numbers of weapons were needed, the Sten was quick and easy to put together, and it was a lot better than nothing.” However, its frequent misfiring, and there were reports of the gun’s bullets bouncing off of targets.

Across the Atlantic, the U.S. Army faced its own challenges with the Bazooka. The bazooka was introduced in 1942 as an unguided anti-tank weapon. Yet, the massive flare it produced upon firing reveals the shooter’s position and also shot dust, debris, and flames back at the soldier firing the weapon. It was, however, a stepping stone to more advanced weaponry, with Dougherty remarking, “The best thing about the bazooka was that it formed the basis for better weapons that came along later.”

The LeMat grapeshot revolver was invented in the United States in 1856. A combination of a nine-round revolver, an additional barrel and single shotgun shell in the middle, the guns proved to be poorly made in practice.

Similarly, The Apache pistol, created by America in 1880, seems to amalgamate the useful features of a knife, brass knuckles, and a small-caliber revolver in a compact, foldable design. However, in reality, none of the three elements of the firearm prove effective. While the brass knuckles function adequately, the knife is fragile and poorly constructed on its hinge. The revolver, lacking a substantial barrel, is notably weak and imprecise. Moreover, due to the exposed trigger, users are prone to unintentional discharges of the weapon.

Designed by Nazi Germany in 1945, the Krummlauf was designed to facilitate shooting around corners through a curved barrel set at an angle of 30 to 45 degrees, the weapon featured a periscope sight mounted on a conventional assault rifle. Despite extensive efforts and resources invested in refining its design, the Krummlauf was ultimately shelved due to its exorbitant cost and lack of viability for mass production.

The Chauchat light machine gun, France’s contribution to World War I, became an example of what not to do in firearm design, with a reputation for jamming and inadequate ammunition capacity.

Even in more modern times, innovation sometimes led to dead ends. The Gyrojet pistol, using rocket-propelled ammunition and entering service in 1965, ultimately proved to be terribly inaccurate.

These design missteps stand in stark contrast to the legends of firearm history, like the instantly recognizable AK-47 or the highly accurate M1 Garand. The Colt M1911, with its powerful .45-caliber round, and the daunting MG-42 machine gun, which nearly turned the tide at Omaha Beach, are prime examples of engineering triumphs.

The setbacks and advancements in the aforementioned weapons serve as a testament to the ingenuity of human technology and the progression of armaments. As new technologies emerge, so too will the stories of triumphs and failures, continuing the ever-unfolding narrative of military history.

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