Very interesting -- thanks, Doc!
A few notes: Have you ever noticed that the Ducksfoot replicas available today only have 3 barrels? I have never been interested in having one, because it is not a replica of the "real thing." Ever since I was a kid and saw a picture of one, I've been fascinated by them, and have always rejected the notion of one having only 3 barrels.
Of course, regarding the page's author's comment, the idea wasn't to hit anything -- it was a weapon of intimidation. Remember that on a sailing ship, commercial or naval, sailors were often impressed into service against their will -- not something that would ensure their compliance. The threat of having these things pointed at an unruly crowd is predicated on
not being able to aim it, since the crowd perceives that when the thing is touched off, who it will hit is anyone's guess. That's the deterrent factor!
Regarding the LeMat: The author omits part of the history: "Major Beauregard," as I understand the story, was his cousin, not his brother-in-law. Major Beauregard was, in fact, General Pierre G T Beauregard, who resigned his commission and took a commission in the rebel army of the Confederacy. It was in this capacity that he ordered batteries to fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina harbor, thus initiating the Civil War.
As a digression, I would note that the act of opening fire on Fort Sumter by the rebels is a good example for all of us to consider when owning a gun: before you start shooting, it is always a very good idea to consider the consequences of your actions, because shooting is always something that gets peoples' attention. Sometimes, the results of that attention may not be welcome!
Anyway, the "top barrel," as the author calls it, was actually the smaller barrel and the barrel in the center of the cylinder is the larger, being about 20 gauge.
Here's my own idea of a crazy "gun":
Makes the ducksfoot look a little tame, eh?