This thing has existed for more than 1,000 years and has affected war-and society as a whole in ways that other inventions cannot match. When talking about guns, they were once only weapons of the world's military. Now guns are considered by some to be the "rights" of ordinary citizens, especially in the United States, which have been written into their constitutions.
It all started in China around 850 AD, when alchemists accidentally made gunpowder while trying to develop longevity potions. It is a mixture of powdered charcoal, saltpeter and sulfur. Soon this powder was used in wars. The Song Dynasty was the first dynasty to use gunpowder against Xixia and Liao, and the Liao continued to invade and harass the Central Plains.
The Chinese used muskets to resist Liao, an arrow fixed with a gunpowder tube, which would pass through the enemy’s line of defense when ignited. As the Chinese perfected various weapons against foreigners in the following centuries, including the first cannons and grenades, more gunpowder weapons followed.
Gunpowder arrives in Europe
Gunpowder entered Europe in the 13th century, most likely via the Silk Road trade route through Central Asia. The adversary countries improved the gunpowder formulation in the centuries that followed before reaching the optimal mixture: about 75% saltpeter, 15% charcoal, and 10% sulfur.
Hand cannon, as shown above. The one depicted here in the late 14th century has a gunpowder bag and putter, making it easy for individual soldiers to shoot. The hand cannon is probably the first personal gun
By 1350, basic gunpowder cannons were commonplace in the British and French armies, and Britain and France used explosive technology to fight each other during the Hundred Years' War.
Over the centuries, improved cannons were designed, many of which were small and portable. Eventually, the hand cannon was developed in the early 15th century. This is the first real personal gun. During the successful siege of these and other cannons by the Ottoman Turks, Constantinople in 1453 basically presented Europe’s unarmed traditional wall fortifications with powerful new weapons.
The invention of the modern pistol
Historians generally believe that the Chinese musket was the first gun. But before the 15th century, guns were difficult to fire—they required both hands and a burning wick to ignite gunpowder.
The invention of the access lock, which is an internal shooting mechanism, makes shooting with a hand-held gun more efficient, easier and safer. The first is the matchlock gun, and then a series of enhancements until we get something more similar to the guns we know today.
The first known gun to use a matchlock is the French matchlock, which is a short-barrelled long gun (rifle), carried on the shoulder but small enough to be carried by one person. A rope soaked in gunpowder burned at both ends until it hit a disc of flash powder, and the small ball flew towards the enemy. Nevertheless, they are heavy weapons and can only be fired once every two minutes.
Guns are slowly replacing old weapons because they are more economical than deadly. Becoming a highly skilled (and highly paid) swordsman or archer requires lifelong dedication, but a few weeks or months of training can turn a low-level soldier into a skilled gunman.
In addition to increasing the range of soldiers, guns also have a profound impact on the nature of armed combat, from the distance the dueling armies engage with each other to the type of soldiers injured. Only horses-who have ruled on the battlefield for thousands of years-proved to be more important than guns.
Frequently Asked Questions about the First Shot
What was the first gun ever?
The Chinese gun is a bamboo tube that uses gunpowder to fire a spear. It was invented in the 10th century and regarded by historians as the first gun ever. Gunpowder was invented in China as early as the 9th century.
What did the first gun look like?
The earliest gun, the Chinese musket, had a tube filled with gunpowder (usually bamboo) attached to the spear. When ignited, the tube will spray flames and add shrapnel to the target, such as pottery fragments.
When did the British army start using guns?
By the late 19th century, the rifle completely replaced the rifle as a military weapon. The first order for 1,000 rifles for the British army was placed in January 1776. The pattern of the gun manufacturer William Grice was approved for official release.
Who brought gunpowder to Europe?
Due to the Mongols' conquest, information about how to make gunpowder quickly spread throughout Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. But gunpowder was first brought to Europe in the 13th century, possibly by traders passing through Central Asia through the Silk Road trade route.
What was the first fully automatic gun?
The Maxim machine gun was the first fully automatic machine gun. It was developed in England in 1884 by engineer and inventor Hiram Maxim. This automatic gun is also called Vickers-Maxim or just Vickers.