Odd Wisconsin

Giant Punt Gun (Punt gun used to hunt waterfowl on Lake Mendota, Madison, Wisconsin, c. 1866-1870). "...Made by August Herfurth of Madison, Wisconsin, this jumbo shotgun, called a punt gun, could kill an entire flock of waterfowl with a single shot. Punt guns were used by commercial hunters in the 19th century to maximize their takes. The guns were so large, and their recoil so severe, that they were typically mounted on narrow, flat bottomed hunting boats called punts." From the exhibition Odd Wisconsin at the WHS.