America's first assault rifle was a dual-mag anti-aircraft weapon built in 1917

Meet America’s first assault rifle, the Burton 1917 light machine rifle.

Designed as an anti-aircraft weapon to bring down enemy zeppelins, the Burton 1917’s most notable feature is the dual magazine well.

Each magazine holds 20 rounds, but only one magazine is engaged at a time. The empty mag can be slid backward and the fresh mag dropped in it’s place. This is essentially the WWI equivalent of a “ready mag” used by a support gunner in a wooden bi-plane.

Chambered in .345 WSL, the Burton 1917 is a blowback open-bolt rifle that even features a bayonet lug for use in ground combat.

Incendiary rounds were fired from the Burton with the intention of setting an enemy zeppelin ablaze.

Learn more about this classic piece of American history in the video below.