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The Basics of Firearms and Ammunition

                          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.


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