Clash of Rhyfles: Gwynt CH11 Heavy Shotgun

2 Crew, Gun and 50mm base.

Painted by Varundin28

CH11

The CH11 heavy rotary shotgun represents an attempt to solve the problem of sustained close-range firepower through mechanical simplicity rather than automatic operation. Built around a hand-cranked mechanism driving multiple rotating barrels, the weapon fires heavy shells as fast as the gunner can turn the crank.

The rotating barrel assembly features four barrels arranged around a central axis, each fed from a common double stack magazine. As the gunner cranks the firing mechanism, barrels rotate through a cycle of loading, firing, and ejecting spent shells. The system's genius lies in its mechanical reliability with no complex gas operation to foul, no recoil springs to fail, just gears, cams, and a quar turning a handle. Rate of fire depends entirely on how fast the gunner can crank, typically achieving 60-80 rounds per minute with a competent operator, though sustained fire at that rate tends to overheat barrels and exhaust even the strongest gunner.

The weapon requires a two-quar crew for effective operation: one to crank and aim, another to feed magazines and spot. Tactical employment focuses on defensive positions where the weapon's bulk proves less problematic than its devastating close-range firepower proves valuable: trench defense, bunker emplacements, or chokepoint coverage where concentrated shotgun fire can stop an assault cold.