Guns have been around for more than 1,000 years, influencing warfare and society in general in a way that perhaps no other invention can compare.
Once considered only weapons of military forces around the world, guns are now considered the possessions of people in many countries around the world. The story of this weapon originated in China around 850, when alchemists accidentally created gunpowder while trying to develop the “fountain of youth”. The resulting powder was called huo yao, a mixture of charcoal, saltpeter and sulfur.
The Chinese quickly learned that the powder they discovered could be used in war. Since the Song Dynasty, the Chinese have used gunpowder to fight the Mongols, who invaded the country.
Scientists believe that the Chinese fire spear was the first gun.
The Chinese attacked the Mongols with fire spears, also known as “flying fire”. Initially, this type of weapon consisted of a tube (usually made of bamboo) containing gunpowder and a slow-burning match tied to the spear. When ignited, gunpowder will explode, releasing a stream of fire in a specified direction.
Later, more weapons made from gunpowder were perfected by the Chinese in the course of fighting the Mongols over the following centuries, including cannons and grenades.
Gunpowder arrived in Europe in the 13th century, probably via Silk Road trade routes. Countries on this continent processed gunpowder over the following centuries, eventually finding the optimal mixture: 75% saltpeter, 15% charcoal and 10% sulfur.
By 1350, rudimentary gunpowder artillery became common in the English and French armies. The two armies used these inventions in the Hundred Years’ War against each other.
Over the following centuries, new and improved cannons were designed, many of which were small and portable. Finally, hand cannons were developed in the early 15th century. This was the first personal gun invented. The Ottoman army used this and other cannons during the siege of Constantinople in 1453. The new, more powerful weapons essentially made traditional European walled fortifications obsolete. weaker and defenseless.
Hand cannons are considered the first personal guns.
Historians often consider the Chinese fire spear to be mankind’s first gun. But before the 15th century, guns were still very difficult to shoot, they needed both hands to hold and a wick to ignite.
The invention of the matchlock musket helped reduce the limitations of guns. Its advantage is that it has a barrel lock, buttstock and handguard so the user can place the butt on the shoulder, use the eye to aim and fire at the same time. However, this invention and the birth of the musket were just the beginning because it was still quite cumbersome and could only be fired once every 2 minutes.
Later, guns were gradually improved, becoming more compact and easier to use. It slowly replaces old weapons because it saves a lot of time. It takes a lifetime of practice to become a highly skilled swordsman or archer, but just a few weeks or months of training can turn an ordinary person into a skilled archer.
