History of Firearms (Timeline)
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1232: The Chinese who invented gunpowder (black powder) first used it in a weapon - gunpowder filled tubes aka rockets. 1364: First recorded use of a firearm - shooter lit wicks by hand that ignited gunpowder that was loaded into the gun barrel. 1400: Matchlock guns - first mechanically firing of guns. Wicks were now attached to a clamp that sprang into gunpowder that was placed in a "flash pan". 1509: Wheel lock guns - wicks were replaced the wheel lock that generated a spark for igniting the gunpowder. 1630: Flintlock guns - the flintlock did two things mechanically, it opened the lid of the flash pan and provided an igniting spark. 1825: Percussion-cap guns invented by Reverend John Forsyth - firing mechanism no longer uses flash pan, a tube lead straight into the gun barrel, the tube had an explosive cap on it that exploded when struck 1830: Back action lock 1835: Colt revolver - first mass-produced, multi-shot, revolving firearms 1840: Pin-fire cartridges 1850: Shotguns 1859: Full rim-fire cartridge 1860: Spencer repeating carbine patented 1861: Breech loaded guns 1862: Gatling Gun 1869: Center-fire cartridge 1871: Cartridge revolver 1873: Winchester rifle 1877: Double-action revolver 1879: Lee box magazine patented 1892: Automatic handguns invented by Joseph Laumann 1893: Borchardt pistol - automatic handgun with a separate magazine in the grip 1903: First automatic rifle a Winchester. Go Back To Home page Rifles Shotguns Sub-machine guns Machine guns Single shot pistols Derringers Revolvers Auto-loading pistols Ammunition Headstamp Primers Firearms Terminology Definition of Terms Commonly Asked Questions |
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