[2014] GinjahMaster (3rd Period - IDT): Firearms History

The first recorded use of a mixture of sulphur, saltpeter, and charcoal to make a substance similar to gunpowder was in 1250. However, the Chinese had used gunpowder in their fireworks, which they used for war and for entertainment. By 1350 the first handcannons were in use. In the early 1400s a new system was developed. It was called the "matchlock". It included a slow burning wick attached to the rifle to allow for easier firing, rather than holding it separately from the flash pan that contained the powder.

Around this time gunmakers realized that a missed shot was as good as a shot not fired at all. Inspired by the European Parrot Gun, a cannon that had a rifled barrel and more cylindrical bullet. American gunmakers began to incorporate this in their designs and created the American Long Rifle.

The History and Evolution of Firearms

A more reliable striking system emerged to replace the intricate, expensive wheellock and the unreliable matchlock. This system was the flintlock.

1350

Early 1400s

1500s

Early 1600s

Late 1700s

War of 1812

World War I

1841

The Matchlock eventually evolved into the Wheellock, which instead of a wick used and intricate system of gears the turn a wheel made of flint, similar to that of a common day lighter.

During this period of time, men with rifled weapons, which were considerably more accurate, used them as long-range weapons. Later magnifying lens or "scopes" were added. This led to the birth of snipers.

During this period a new rifle appeared that blew its competitors out of the water. The gun was the Dreyse Needlegun, which combine the bullet and powder in a combustible package. This allowed shooters to reload quicker and reduced the risk of wet powder, which wouldn't fire.

The opening of World War I was a preview of the awsome destruction that we would soon be more capable of. The Great War brought automatic weapons, chemical weapons, and advances in aeronautical technology to bear against man.

In the forseeable future firearms will utilize propulsion system and ammo capacity overhauls. They may only need to vent heat to prevent warping or they could fire using new propulsion systems, such as magnetic mass accelerators. What the future holds, I do not know, but I can tell you that it will be glorious.

Works CitedThe Firearms History was researched from http://www.nramuseum.org/gun-info-research/a-brief-history-of-firearms.aspxImages were retrieved form Google Images seach databases.Music downloaded from http://clip.dj/#search/Bad%20Company