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Here is where I found the imageThe first firearms, like gunpowder were made in China. They were nothing like the guns we known today. They were simple prototypes, closer to a miniature cannon than a gun. The date is approximate, the year is when the first depiction appeared.
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This is the approximate time in which gunpowder was brought to Europe. But there is much debate as to whether it came through the Silk Road or in the Mongol invasion in the early 13th century.
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During this time the first hand held firarms were made. These were closer to cannons than guns, but were the start of today's guns.
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ImageHere is more information on cannonsThis is the approximate time of when cannons first began to make an appearance in Chinese warfare.
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This is the year that people have found evidence of Firearms in Russia
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More on firearmsThis was found in Estonia. It is a least from 1392. But it may be older.
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More on flintlocksThis is the closest to modern guns. These weapons evolved from the hand-held cannons. It was a basic one shot rifle, which had to be reloaded after every shot. It was a muzzle loaded gun, so could be rather cumbersome.
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Bayonents and Hand Grendades were made in France in the 1600s. Bayonents are long sharp spears of metal that attach to the barrel of a gun to be used as a stabbing device in close combat. Hand grenades are hand-held devices that are thrown toward a target and explode. These were used by grenadiers in battles.
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In the 1850s the Springfield rifle came into play, made in Springfield, Massachusetts . This was among the first breech-loaded rifles. Also metal-working had evolved so that brasswork could be done to prevent the high pressure gases from maiming the shooter. One of the models of the Springfield rifle also introduced the repeater firearm, Model 1992-1899. Repeater firearms are guns that can fit multiple cartriges so that the shooter can fire multiple round before fitting in a new cartridge.
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More on GatlingsThe Gatling Gun was the fist successful rapid-fire firearm. It was patented on Nov 4, 1862 by Richard Jordan Gatling. It is in the shape of a cannon, fired by turing a crank, rotating multiple barrels, so it can fire multiple shot at a time. This weapons was used in the Civil War, the Spanish-American War and several others besides. Unfortunaly it needs a whole four man crew to function, but it has been upgraded many times and used often.
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Te Maxim GunThe Maxim gun was invented by Hiram Maxim. It used recoil energy to fire its shots. It was used in many battles, most prominiently in WW1
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MoreWhile the Maxim Gun was the first successfuul selfloading fire arm. It needed a team of men to operate, and to be moved. So that makes the Mondragon gun the first self loading one man weapon. This gun was made by Spanish general Manuel Mondragon. It has been slightly ateried and used in severa lconflicts, i.e. The Mexican Revolution and WWI. On Aug. 8, 1904 it recieved its final patent and debuted in warfare in 1908.
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MoreThe first submachine gun, the MP18.1, was invented by Theodor Bergmann in 1918. It was used by the German Army in WWI. It has been used in several other conflicts as well.
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MoreThe assault rifle, or StG44, as it was first called traces its beginnings to Nazi Germany WWII. After the war ended it was adopted bevery world power and is still in use today. Though it has been modified and updated throughout the years, it is still very similar to the orginal.
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The assault rifle, or StG44, as it was first called traces its beginnings to Nazi Germany WWII. After the war ended it was adopted bevery world power and is still in use today. Though it has been modified and updated throughout the years, it is still very similar to the orginal.
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My prediction for future firearms is that firearms will be easier to fire, aim, and quieter. I also believe that in the far future nuclear and biological weapons may become more prominent. As weapons firearms become more accurate and deadly, in the arms race it may be nessecary to bring it up a level, with new more destructive weapons.
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Here is More on GunpowderGunpowder was first made, like most things, in China. They used it in their various wars and this was what could be considered the beginning of events leading to modern warfare.
