The three-barreled device designed by Korobov, the two-barreled Israeli assault rifle Gilboa Snake, and other unusual models of handheld firearms.10 photos

The 1960s marked a period of intense research and development for Soviet firearms manufacturers, as they sought to explore new principles and designs for automatic weapons. During this time, engineer Herman Alexandrovich Korobov created a series of automatic rifles under the designation TKB-022 (TKB standing for Tula Design Bureau). The TKB-022 series included two models: the TKB-022 No. 1 and the TKB-022No. 2. While the exterior design of the TKB-022 No. 1 bore some resemblance to the bull-pup layout, the later model, the TKB-022PM, clearly belonged to this same design philosophy. In addition to its compact size, the TKB-022PM featured several advanced features for the time, such as a plastic casing and a system that allowed firing rounds both from the right and left shoulder. The TKB-022PM utilized a gas-operated mechanism with a ring-shaped gas piston surrounding the barrel. The gun’s bolt was designed to slide vertically, which not only significantly reduced the length of the barrel assembly but also required the addition of a special U-shaped component that facilitated the loading of cartridges and the ejection of spent shells. This U-shaped part moved back and forth horizontally to perform these functions. A fire mode selector switch was located on the left side of the grip. The TKB-022PM used standard 30-round magazines from the Kalashnikov rifle. Its sights were adjustable, although the overall length of the barrel meant that the accuracy was limited. The weapon also included a system that allowed it to fire shotgun shells. In 1962, based on the TKB-022PM, Herman Korobov developed what is arguably his most innovative weapon – the “7.62-mm three-barreled device for mass firing, Model 3B.” This weapon was a mounted gun with a recoil-operated mechanism and a bolt similar to that of the TKB-022PM. The firing of each barrel enabled sequential shooting at a high rate of fire. During tests, the Model 3B demonstrated significant improvements in firepower, especially when fired from unstable positions. Korobov managed to reduce the weapon’s recoil to a level that was comfortable for the user. Some components of its design were borrowed from the Kalashnikov rifle, which sped up the development process considerably. Later, based on the TKB-022PM and the Model 3B, Herman Korobov created another innovative model – the “7.62-mm three-barreled automatic rifle TKB-059.” This new model improved upon the previous versions in terms of technical specifications and overall performance. Today, it is difficult to assess how seriously the potential applications of such weapons were considered in the Soviet Union. However, similar concepts were also explored in other countries, such as the United States and Australia.