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Originally Posted On: https://www.taktekfirearms.com/blog/the-invention-of-guns
Guns have been around for centuries, and their history is fascinating. Early guns were simple devices that used black powder to launch a lead ball or shot at a target. These early guns were often inaccurate and dangerous to use, but they were the best weapons available at the time. As gunpowder and metallurgy improved, guns became more reliable and accurate. In the 18th and 19th centuries, guns became increasingly sophisticated, with the invention of rifled barrels, breech-loading mechanisms, and cartridge ammunition. Today, guns are more advanced than ever, but their basic function remains the same: to provide a rapid and accurate way to deliver deadly force. Whether you’re a hunter, a target shooter, or a member of the military, guns play an important role in our lives.
Where Did Guns First Appear
The origins of guns are a matter of debate. Some historians believe that the first guns were invented in China during the 13th century, while others believe that guns were first used in Europe during the 14th century. The first official firearm was called the fire lance. It consisted of a tube that was filled with gunpowder and then attached to a spear. The gunpowder would be ignited, sending a burst of flame and smoke out of the tube and towards the enemy.
The First Matchlock Firearm
The first matchlock guns appeared in Europe in the 15th century. It consisted of a curved arm that held a match, and a trigger device that lowered that arm so that the lit match would set off primer powder in the pan attached to it. It was later on replaced by the flintlock in the 16th century, which used a flint held against a steel spring-loaded hammer that struck a spark when rotated into a small opening at the back of its pan, which then ignited the main charge and fired the gun.
19th Century Colt Guns
The first mass-produced, rotating firearms were created in 1835 by Samuel Colt. This was a breakthrough in the industry, as although various revolver designs existed for decades prior, he was the first to apply industrial age mass production. Revolvers went from being extremely rare and costly to own, to being widely available. This also improved reliability and accuracy drastically, which ultimately made the Colt a favorite for soldiers and frontiersmen.
The Winchester Rifle
The Winchester rifle was such a popular and affordable rifle that it became the generic rifle of its time, with the Winchester becoming known as “the gun that won the West.” Winchester’s first repeating shotgun was released in 1887, and it’s widely known as one of the most popular shotguns on the market. One of their biggest breakthroughs was reaching automatic rifles in 1903, which became wildly popular and are still in use to this day.
Automatic Guns
In 1892, the first automatic pistol was created by Joseph Laumann, with many other manufactures soon after releasing their own automatic guns including Browning, Luger, Mauser, and Colt. This eventually led to the modern M1911, also known as the Colt 1911, a pistol that has seen World War 1, World War 2, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Today, some variants of the M1911, are still in use by the U.S Army and police law enforcement agencies.
