A Brief History of Gun

Weapons have been used from time immemorial. But they have been developed from time to time, catering to the needs of humans. Longbow ended hundred year war in Europe. People from history have prevailed battles due to some improvements in swords. Rat race of collecting arms for the national détente is not new. Whether for purpose of self defense or offence, guns have a fascinating history.

Though the firearms started as the primeval popguns in middle ages, they have reformed through centuries and have become intricate weaponry of the day. Starting with the gunpowder, bullet weapons were introduced for firing. What started off with a weak, small cannon, guns have undergone a complete transformation.

Conventionally, Chinese invented gunpowder in 19^th century. But their use was confined to firecrackers only. Robert Bacon is also known to be the inventor of gunpowder according to a theory. He is supposedly said to have found its recipe among the chemical formulas. Regardless of who gunpowder’s inventor was, mythical monk from Germany is believed to have given idea of propelling projectile with the gunpowder in the 1300s. And Arabs are known to be inventors of earliest cannon named madfaa. This cannon was a wooden bowl with gunpowder in it and cannonball was made to stand on bowl’s rim. Metal cannon named pot de fer soon followed madfaa. Its name that meant pot of fire, described how the iron bottle gripped gunpowder. Modern cannons were developed from this model only.

The subsequent cannons looked nothing more than simple pipes that were closed from one end that fired lead balls or stones. Some cannons were made of wooden tubes fastened by iron. Due to lack of support, these cannons were laid on the ground and were supported with dirt mounds. Although roaring noises made by these cannons were frightening, their force was dubious. Even after hitting the knights in full armor, it would hardly create a dent.

Firearms have been around for quite some time. Believe it or not, guns were being used as early as 1364. Obviously, the weaponry being employed in early days is nothing like what we have today, but understanding this expansive history offers a fascinating lens into the past. From primitive guns to modern-day automatic weapons, the evolution is noteworthy.

Due to better accuracy and strength culverin replaced crossbow in the end of 16^th century. Discovery of priming pan made firing even easier. Until 19^th century, priming pan held gunpowder in small dish fastened to gun barrels.

Weighty and tiresome, the matchlock was introduced in 15^th century. Also known musket, matchlock had better balance and was better stocked and used pioneering device for firing. Serpentine, the device was S-shaped and lowered slow match in priming pan whenever a gunman pressed the trigger. Introduction of this device had modernized gunnery while letting the aimers shoot and aim using both their hands. Musket was around 5-6 feet long with twenty pounds of weight. Supported by forked stick, musket users were known as musketeers.

Even though serpentine made firing much easier, slow match lighting was still a tedious job. To make it stay alight in damp weather particularly, posed a problem. Means of starting fire inside guns was discovered in year 1515. Monk’s gun had first ever wheel lock. This mechanism worked in a way that when spun by finger, it produced spark by rubbing against flint. Sparks then reached touch hole and ignited gunpowder.

THE WORLD’S FIRST GUNS

It was in 1364 that mankind first recorded the use of a firearm. These weapons, called “hand cannons,” were the first step in the creation of guns. Just 14 years later, handguns were already making their way across Europe.

Guns, in their infancy, were very different from today’s multifaceted weapons, as PBS notes. Originally, a wick was tied to “touch hole” inside of the barrel of guns. Then, when one lit the wick, the powder would inevitably be ignited inside, creating the reaction needed to launch the projectile.

 THE GUN’S FIRST MAJOR EVOLUTION

In 1498, the gun experienced its first major evolution with the discovery of rifling (putting grooves in the barrel of a gun to improve accuracy). The National Firearms Museum explains the concept:

Archers had found that if the fletching feathers on the rear of their arrow were at a slight angle, causing the arrow to rotate in flight, their ability to hit the target was improved. This concept was applied to gun barrels by cutting slowly twisting grooves down the interior length of the barrel, imparting a spin to the bullet as it left the muzzle.  These grooves were called rifling, and “rifled muskets” or “rifles” so equipped were found to be much better at hitting their mark over further distances than “smooth-bore” muskets.

And just a few years later in 1509, the creation of the wheel lock made for an even more intriguing and advanced weapon. Contrary to the matchlock, which required a wick to ignite the gun for usage, the wheel lock was a steel wheel that created the spark needed to ignite the gun.

In 1800s, breech loading rifle was introduced. Percussion caps brought the air of change. Reverend Forsyth launched percussion cap in 1805. This was a priming pan that looked like scent bottle. Screw fixe in center of cap doled out gunpowder in apt quantities. This bottle like pan could hold gunpowder for twenty shots.

Slowly, repeating weapons came around. Earliest machine gun known as Mitrailleuse was employed by French towards the end of 1800s. Though it was a secret till the time it was used correctly on battle ground. Earliest machines guns were used in large quantities during the World War 1. Machines gun was bent for shooting the aeroplanes and was soon known as anticraft gun. The improvements in the guns did not stop there. They were mounted on airplanes, submarines, ships, tanks, trains for various reasons.

Options for aiming a firearm have expanded dramatically over the past 50 years. Telescopic sights for precision rifle shooting were used as early as the Civil War. However, it wasn't until after WWII that it became a standard practice to mount a scope on most serious hunting rifles, and the technology of these optics has continually evolved and improved. In the 70's and 80's, scopes came to be used on hunting handguns. New forms of sighting equipment such as electronic red dot sights, glow in the dark night sights, ultra-compact laser aiming systems, and even night vision scopes have come on the market and met with acceptance, and have been incorporated on firearms from concealed carry handguns through target competition arms, and military issue rifles.

These days, guns also use radar for locating targets along laser sights for assuring accuracy. Handguns are a common weapon for criminals and homeowners using them for security. Starting from bowls that held gunpowder, guns have become today’s sophisticated machinery. Gone are the days when marksmen had to handle accuracy issues. One can now shoot up to several miles accurately using the latest guns available in the souk.