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.

  • Settlers arrived in Jamestown, Virginia with firearms

  • The first true flintlock

  • First use of firearms proof-marks.

  • 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: to

    Dueling pistols come into fashion.

  • American Revolution

  • Percussion-detonating principle patented.

  • Percussion-cap guns are in general use.

  • The back action lock appears.

  • The first Colt revolver.

  • Guns begin to use pin-fire cartridges.

  • The telegraph is invented.

  • True shotguns in common use.

  • Period: to

    The Crimean War

    The last war to use only muzzle-loaded guns.

  • The first full rim-fire cartridge.

  • Spencer repeating carbine patented.

  • Breech loaded guns in common use.

  • Period: to

    American Civil War.

    Both breech and muzzle loaded guns used.

  • The Gatling Gun is invented.

  • Center-fire cartridge introduced.

  • Period: to

    The Franco-German War.

    Breach-loaded guns are dominant.

  • First cartridge revolver.

  • Winchester rifle introduced

  • Custer defeated at Little Big Horn.

  • First effective double-action revolver.

  • Lee box magazine patented.

  • Advent of automatic handguns.

  • Jun 7, US army tested the 1st machine gun mounted on a plane.

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