Gun History Essay

In 1346, the cannon was invented and by 1350 was a common weapon used by armies in Europe (Movement of gunpowder). After seeing the effects of the cannon, it didn't take long for gunpowder to find its way into portable guns. The first single-shot guns, coming onto the scene in the 1360s and versions of it are used today ubiquitously across the

Hiram Maxim created Machine Gun and in 1883, he created the first multi bullet-firing weapon. This lead to wider development of automatic weapons which were later used in war. (Note: the 1862 Gatling gun which was ran by hand cranking.)

     Weapons have been around from the Neanderthals of the post-ice age, to the Taliban in Afghanistan. Rocks became knives, sticks became spears, and bayonets became AK-47’s. The technology from the French and Indian War was revolutionized and manufactured by the newly opened weaponry companies. Colt

Because of Colt’s inventions and his company’s contributions to the Nation the Union Army managed to have advanced revolvers during the war. Overall “Its output for the entire Civil War period totaled 378,000 revolvers and 114,000 muskets” (Grant, 1982). The role that his company played in producing firearms for the Union Army placed Colt as a historic figure in American history. Today Samuel Colt is looked at as the man who revolutionized the firearm industry and the man who created the first mass producing firearms company in the world. He was recently honored in 2006 as he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

Boom! The little boy kills his first deer while hunting with his dad, they’re both ecstatic, the dad experiencing all the skills he has taught his son over the years finally pay off, and killing his first deer with the same gun he used thirty years ago. The first firearm was made 653 years ago in 1364, to fire the gun, you had to hold a burning wick to a touch hole to ignite the powder, causing an explosion which sends the projectile out of the barrel. Since then, guns have evolved tremendously, in Germany, 1885, the first semi automatic handgun was made, allowing the user to fire shot after shot without reloading, until the magazine is empty. This gun was made for police officers around the world, allowing them to have an advantage over

While experimenting with life lengthening elixirs, Chinese alchemist discovered gunpowder. Gunpowder was first used as an incendiary compound, also commonly known as fire producing compound. It was used to light the tip of arrows on fire to create flame arrows. The first actual handheld firearm was a bronze gun that dates back to 1333. The invention of this new form of powder, that is used in stronger

Bows, swords, spears, catapults, and eventually guns, were all invented because of a necessity. In the words of Plato “All things are created because of necessity who is the mother of invention.” As we move on and advance in technology and mechanics, our necessity for new and better things increases, and therefore our rate of invention increases. Most inventive ideas are small, and overall insignificant. But sometimes inventions will take bounds into the future, and will change the world. “It is easy to forget what a cultural sensation technology can produce, and perhaps no instance was greater than that of the Gatling gun.” (Keller) The Gatling gun was an invention that changed the way we think, the way we strategize, and the way we live.

When gunpowder was made people thought it might be a good mining tool. What they thought was right so they used it and it worked! Then they thought it might make a good weapon they were right on this to. It became the recipe of every weapon (Whipps).

It is a difficult task to look back on the impact of an invention and determine whether or not society would have been better off without it. The revolver can be considered as being both a tool of protection and an efficient dealer of death. It has a storied history that, good or bad, is legendary. The Innovation That Made the West

Gunpowder was invented by Chinese alchemists in the 9th century. At first it was made by mixing sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter, which is potassium nitrate. The charcoal normally came from willow trees, but other plants were used as well.

The history of firearms begins in China in the ninth century where, huo yao, the world’s first gun powder was discovered; it was created by mixing charcoal, potassium nitrate and sulphur into a fine powder. Historians are prone to recognizing tenth century Chinese fire lances, a spear-like weapon combining a bamboo tube containing huo yao and projectiles tied to a Chinese spear as the first firearm. In the year 1320, Gun powder was developed into a specific formula, 15% charcoal, 75% potassium nitrate and 10% sulphur. It was developed for the

Throughout the course of the thirteenth and fourteenth century, firearms such as gunpowder weapons were gradually making their way across the Middle East and Western Europe. Gunpowder was first created during the 11th (either stick with numbers or write out the number) century during the Song Dynasty. Gunpowder caused many gun founders to incorporate this (What is “this”) into their creations of firearms. The use of the cannons slowly began making its way through armies of Western Europe. There are many firearms in history that have made an impact. One of the most significant gunpowder weapons in history is the Great Turkish Bombard. This weapon played a key role in with the Ottoman Turks lives during the year of in 1453. It The Great Turkish Bombard also changed the way western European armies looked at the construction of the cannon and how it would help them complete the conquest. This gun not only changed the lives of the Ottoman Turks and the Byzantines, but it also changed the course of history and everything to occur afterward.

Firearms in the 1786 through 1833 were different from any gun today just like the the U.S. musket model 1795 it was the principle small arm used by the army in the war of 1812. “These muskets were made at the armories at both Springfield, Massachusetts, and Harper's Ferry, Virginia.” (History of U.S. Army Weapons). Also in the late- 19th century the .45 caliber trapdoor rifle was being used by the Regular Army and the National Guard. By the mid 20th- century the United States had a rifle know as the Garand Rifle in the honor of John Garand, it was the first semi-automatic rifle in the world to be brought into battle. “... was the first semi-automatic rifle in the world to be generally issued to infantry.” (History of U.S. Army Weapons). This rifle however the production and shipment was having some problems to get to the new army and they began to research and development to make the rifle for the army. They finally fixed it and in 1940 the rifle went into full production and the output was 600 rifles per day until January 1941 and in the end their army was equip with new guns. “Finally, with the redesign of the barrel and gas cylinder assembly in early 1940, the rifle was ready to go into full production. Output reached 600 rifles a day by January 1941, and by the end of the Army was equipped with the new rifle.” (History of U.S. Army

The musket was invented by the Frenchman Marin le Bourgeoys in the early 17th century. Since then it has been used

The creation of gunpowder goes back to the late 19th century during the late tang dynasty. Gunpowder was created accidentally by the Chinese while creating a potion for the pursuit of immortality, the Chinese added gunpowder as one of the FOUR GREAT INVENTIONS. Gunpowder also brought new inventions to the 19th century. It brought new technology for military wise, a new type of warfare developed. Gunpowder empires began to develop known as the ottoman, Safadi, and Mughal. They were among the most strongest, successful and powerful with the gunpowder. Gunpowder was very famous and is still famous till this day. It has also helped to develop new machines and technology. Gunpowder was a great invention because the way it helped to develop new ways of combat helped gather new technology.