Gun History

Did you know? Guns didn’t always look like they do now. The first known “gun” was a bamboo tube using gunpowder to propel a spear and appeared in China at about 1000AD. The Chinese invented gunpowder in the 9th century.

The Fire Lance

The fire lance was an early form of a firearm. It consisted of a black-powder filled tube attached to the end of a spear and used as a flamethrower. Occasionally, the barrel held shrapnel and would fly out with the flames. Over time, the amount of saltpeter was increased to provide a greater explosive force and metal replaced paper and bamboo barrels as a direct need of increased explosive force.

The Projectile

Later, the projectile replaced shrapnel and more fully filled the metal tube. This provided the metal barrel, high nitrate gunpowder, and a projectile occluding the muzzle which allowed the powder charge to provide a guns propellant potential.

Gunpowder & Handheld Cannons

Gunpowder came to Europe by the 13th century. The oldest known firearm in Europe was found in Otepaa, Estonia and dates to 1380 or earlier. In Italy during the late 13th century, Italians developed small portable handheld cannons, creating the first smooth-bore personal firearm.

During the early years of the modern age, these personal hand held cannons developed into the flintlock rifle, which then evolved into the breech loader and lastly into the modern automatic weapons of today.

Fixed Ammunition & Civil War

The paper cartridge was developed in 1586 and, by 1850, brass was used for fixed ammunition. Repeating firearms was the next innovation with repeating revolvers. The first successful rapid-fire firearm was the Gatling gun, invented by Richard Gatling and used by the Union forces during the American Civil War. At the time, it required four men to operate it and subsequent upgrades saw it used in the Spanish American War. However, its unreliability on the battlefield resulted in its retirement.

Guns in America

America and guns grew up together. The advances in firearms at the hands of Americans grew faster than what came before. American gun legends were born and American ingenuity had begun with a rapid succession in inventions and innovations that would change the world.

Through the ages, guns have grown increasingly sophisticated and continue to do so year after year. From a bamboo tube “gun” to modern firearms able to acquire targets, the ages offer a peek into the future.

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