The Tactical Tiller: History’s Most Aggressive Farm Tool

On June 17, 1862, two inventors from Waterloo, New York, named C.M. French and W.H. Fancher decided that standard farming was just a little too peaceful. They were granted U.S. Patent No. 35,600 for what is arguably the most bizarre piece of agricultural equipment ever conceived: the Combined Plow and Gun.

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The invention was exactly what it sounds like—a standard farming plow with a light cannon (ordnance) built directly into the beam. The idea was that a farmer tilling his fields in "border localities" subject to "guerrilla warfare" could defend himself without ever having to leave his furrow.

According to the patent, the device offered several "unique" benefits:

• Ready to Fire: It could be kept "charged with its deadly missiles of ball or grape" while you worked.
• Recoil Management: The plow's point would anchor firmly into the ground to resist the kickback of the cannon.
• Quick Transition: The farmer could "immediately bring it into action" by simply stopping the horses and aiming the entire plow at the intruder.

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Despite the inventors' claims that its utility was "unquestionable," the battle-plow never quite made it to mass production. Critics (and common sense) suggested that trying to aim a cannon while a confused mule was still hitched to it might be a recipe for disaster. Plus, the risk of a "misfire" while hitting a stubborn tree root was likely enough to keep most farmers sticking to standard, non-exploding plows.

Did You Know? While French and Fancher were busy weaponizing garden tools, another famous "assembly project" happened on this same day in 1885: the Statue of Liberty arrived in New York Harbor! She was delivered in 214 crates and 350 individual pieces—basically the world’s most stressful IKEA kit. Lady Liberty spent nearly a year in those boxes because the city hadn't finished building her pedestal yet!