Who invented the first gun

A gun is a device designed to propel a projectile using pressure or explosive force.

They've existed for more than 1, years and have affected warfare — and society in general — in ways perhaps no other invention can match. We're talking about guns. Once just the weapon of the world's military forces, guns are now considered a right of the average citizen by some people, especially in the United States, where it's written into the Constitution. So, when were guns invented? It all started in China around C. The resulting black powder, called " huo yao ," was a blend of charcoal, saltpeter and sulfur.

Who invented the first gun

Historical timeline of the development of modern weapons starting at with the first recorded use of a firearm and ending in with the introduction of automatic handguns. Before the matchlock, guns were fired by holding a burning wick to a "touch hole" in the barrel igniting the powder inside. A shooter uses one hand for firing, and a prop to steady the gun. The first device, or "lock," for mechanically firing a gun is the matchlock. Powder is held in a "flash pan," and ignited by a wick, or match, in a movable clamp. Both hands remain on the gun, vastly improving aim. Early matchlock guns are extremely rare. The matchlock shown here was made around , and is typical of the muskets used by militia in Colonial America. The next major advance, the wheel lock, generates a spark mechanically. With no wick to keep lit, the wheel lock is easier to use, and more reliable than the matchlock. However, wheel locks are expensive to produce. Matchlocks, at half the cost, remain in common use. This is an early ca. In this weapon, two locks are combined in one mechanism, to give each barrel separate ignition.

Previously, each round was custom-made as needed: the shooter poured loose powder down the barrel, used leather or cloth for wadding if time allowed, selected a suitable projectile lead ball, rocks, arrow, or nailsthen seated the projectile on top of the powder charge by means of a ramrod.

The first firearms were created in China after the Chinese invented black powder in the 9 th century. The earliest depiction of a gun dates back to the 12 th century and the oldest existing firearm is from around Before firing mechanisms were created, early firearms needed to be manually ignited by holding a burning wick to a touch hole. Once the first firearms were introduced, gun technology advanced quite rapidly as various empires waged war. Since guns are widely collected, their history and early examples have been well-documented.

A gun is a device designed to propel a projectile using pressure or explosive force. Solid projectiles may be free-flying as with bullets and artillery shells or tethered as with Tasers , spearguns and harpoon guns. A large- caliber gun is also called a cannon. The means of projectile propulsion vary according to designs, but are traditionally effected pneumatically by a high gas pressure contained within a barrel tube gun barrel , produced either through the rapid exothermic combustion of propellants as with firearms , or by mechanical compression as with air guns. The high-pressure gas is introduced behind the projectile, pushing and accelerating it down the length of the tube, imparting sufficient launch velocity to sustain its further travel towards the target once the propelling gas ceases acting upon it after it exits the muzzle. Alternatively, new-concept linear motor weapons may employ an electromagnetic field to achieve acceleration, in which case the barrel may be substituted by guide rails as in railguns or wrapped with magnetic coils as in coilguns. The first devices identified as guns or proto-guns appeared in China from around AD The origin of the English word gun is considered to derive from the name given to a particular historical weapon. Domina Gunilda was the name given to a remarkably large ballista , a mechanical bolt throwing weapon of enormous size, mounted at Windsor Castle during the 14th century.

Who invented the first gun

The Renaissance era saw the rise of the first guns in Western Europe, and they changed the face of warfare forever. This is their story of fire and steel. Although gunpowder first emerged in ancient China as an alchemical health treatment, its application in warfare shattered the medieval world. In many ways, it was the quintessential substance of the rapidly approaching modern era, with cultural exchange, scientific experimentation, and mass warfare all bound up with its history. Here, we shall examine the development of the first guns, personal firearms that created altogether different conventions from the sword and the horse. The critical ingredient for the rise of the first guns in the Renaissance era was gunpowder. The other three were the compass, paper, and printmaking, which were all also key components of the technological revolution which characterized Renaissance Western Europe. Gunpowder was, therefore, the archetypical technology of its time. Chemically, gunpowder is a mixture of sulfur, carbon, and potassium nitrate usually known as niter or saltpeter.

Slim santana

The flintlock ignition system reigned for two centuries, with virtually no alteration. The flintlock solved a longstanding problem. The weapon had many characteristics that rendered it useful above that of swords and bows in favorable circumstances. Early cartridge firearms had to be cocked and caught by the " sear ", which holds the hammer back, before each shot. The 19th and 20th centuries saw an acceleration in this evolution, with the introduction of the magazine , belt-fed weapons, metal cartridges , and the automatic firearm. Once wound and loaded, a wheellock weapon could be fired with one hand quite easily, and barring complete mechanical failure there was very little chance they would go off accidentally. In due course, the proportion of saltpeter in the propellant was increased to maximise its explosive power. This is an early ca. Revolvers Revolvers are pistols that can fire multiple bullets without reloading. The invention of smokeless gunpowder led to the development of the Maxim gun by Hiram Maxim in It was introduced into service in by the German Army during World War I as the primary weapon of the Stosstruppen assault groups specialized in trench combat.

The American Revolution was fought—and won—with guns, and the weapons have become ingrained in U. The origin of firearms began with gunpowder and its invention, mostly likely in China, more than 1, years ago.

Andrade, Tonio Gunpowder: Lifeblood of the First Guns. Marks on the gun indicate that it was used by German mercenaries during the American Revolution. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The first major development of the hand cannon was the arquebus. This section has multiple issues. The classic gun differed from older generations of firearms through an assortment of improvements. Colt worked with Captain Samuel H. Arnold, Thomas F. It was used as an impact weapon, like a single-use short-range flamethrower-shotgun. Smokeless powder was invented in and began replacing gunpowder , which came to be known as black powder. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe.