Firearm Timeline By morganmarie176 1000 Gunpoweder invented in China 1250 China began manufacturing guns. 1364 First recorded use of a firearm 1380 Hand guns are known across Europe 1400 Matchlock gun appears 1498 Rifling principle is discovered 1509 Invention of wheel lock (rose lock) 1526 In Italy the Beretta family made crossbows. 1540 Rifling appears in firearms 1550 In Italy the Beretta family branched into guns. 1607 Settlers arrived in Jamestown, Virginia with firearms 1630 The first true flintlock 1637 First use of firearms proof-marks. 1657 By this time the White Tower of London was no longer inhabited by royalty and was almost completely given over to the storage of gunpowder. Period: 1750 to 1850 Dueling pistols come into fashion. 1776 American Revolution 1807 Percussion-detonating principle patented. 1825 Percussion-cap guns are in general use. 1830 The back action lock appears. 1835 The first Colt revolver. 1840 Guns begin to use pin-fire cartridges. 1847 The telegraph is invented. 1850 True shotguns in common use. Period: 1854 to 1856 The Crimean War The last war to use only muzzle-loaded guns. 1859 The first full rim-fire cartridge. 1860 Spencer repeating carbine patented. 1861 Breech loaded guns in common use. Period: 1861 to 1865 American Civil War. Both breech and muzzle loaded guns used. 1862 The Gatling Gun is invented. 1869 Center-fire cartridge introduced. Period: 1870 to 1871 The Franco-German War. Breach-loaded guns are dominant. 1871 First cartridge revolver. 1873 Winchester rifle introduced 1876 Custer defeated at Little Big Horn. 1877 First effective double-action revolver. 1879 Lee box magazine patented. 1892 Advent of automatic handguns. 1912 Jun 7, US army tested the 1st machine gun mounted on a plane.