Gun

What Exactly Is a Gun?

A gun is a device designed to propel projectiles using pressure or explosive force. Think of it as a high-tech slingshot, but instead of pebbles, it shoots bullets at incredible speeds. The projectiles can be solid (like bullets), pressurized liquid (such as water guns), or gas (as in airsoft guns). But when we talk about guns, we usually mean the ones that shoot solid projectiles.

The Evolution of Guns

Have you ever wondered how something so deadly and sophisticated could have such a humble beginning? The first devices identified as guns appeared in China around AD 1000. By the end of the 13th century, they had become metal barrel firearms that fired single projectiles. Gunpowder and gun technology spread throughout Eurasia during the 14th century.

The term ‘gun’ is believed to derive from a historical weapon named after Domina Gunilda. The term ‘gonne’ was used in Latin documents around 1339, while other names for guns included ‘schioppi’ and ‘donrebusse.’ Artillerymen were referred to as ‘gonners’ or ‘artillers,’ and the term ‘hand gun’ was first used in reference to the handle of guns.

A True Gun: Definition and History

A true gun is defined as a firearm that shoots a bullet that fits the barrel, as opposed to one that does not. Gunpowder was invented in China during the 9th century and the first firearm, the fire lance, appeared between the 10th and 12th centuries. The fire lance consisted of a bamboo tube filled with gunpowder tied to a spear or polearm and had a range of roughly 3 meters by the early 13th century.

Later, metal barrels replaced paper and bamboo, and projectiles were designed to occlude the barrel, creating a ‘true gun.’ The term ‘gun’ was applied to firearms such as the Heilongjiang hand cannon of 1288, and the classic form of the ‘classic gun’ emerged in the 1480s. This marked a shift away from earlier and more ambiguous terms like ‘huo tong’ (fire tube).

The Spread of Firearms

How did guns spread across continents? The spread of firearms is uncertain, but theories suggest it arrived in Europe via the Silk Road or through the Mongol invasion. The earliest depiction of a cannon in Europe dates to 1326, with evidence of firearm production found in the following year.

By 1338 hand cannons were in widespread use in France, and English Privy Wardrobe accounts list ‘ribaldis,’ a type of cannon, in the 1340s. Smaller, portable hand-held cannons emerged in Europe in the late 14th century, creating the first smooth-bore personal firearm.

Key Innovations in Gun Technology

The Ottoman empire used firearms by the late 15th century, and cannons are attested in India starting from 1366. The Joseon kingdom learned to produce gunpowder from China by 1372 and started producing cannons by 1377.

Southeast Asia saw the use of hand cannons as early as 1390, with Đại Việt soldiers employing them against Champa king Che Bong Nga. Hand guns were effective during the Hussite Wars, and Japan acquired a cannon in 1510, with gun production starting in 1543 with the introduction of matchlocks from Portugal.

Gunpowder technology entered Java through the Mongol invasion, and Majapahit utilized it for their naval fleet. Early cetbang resembled Chinese cannons and hand cannons, made mostly of bronze with front-loading mechanism firing arrow-like projectiles. Arquebus appeared in Europe and Ottoman Empire in early 15th century, originally described as a hand cannon with stabilizing lug, later developed into musket with Y-shaped support.

The arquebus was equipped with matchlock mechanism and shoulder stock around 1470, becoming the first portable firearm. Later, guns reached their ‘classic’ form in 1480s, characterized by longer, lighter, more efficient, and accurate design compared to predecessors. The design of cannons persisted for nearly 300 years with minimal variation from the 1480s to the 1750s.

Modern Guns: Innovations and Developments

The classic gun differed from older generations through improvements such as a longer length-to-bore ratio, lighter construction, and tighter fitting projectiles. Modern guns were developed in the 19th century with innovations including percussion caps (1815), breech loading firearms with cartridges (1835), and rifled guns (1836).

Rifles became more prevalent with inventions like the Dreyse needle gun (1836) and the Minié ball (1849). The first reliable repeating rifle, Henry’s rifle, was created in 1860. Smokeless powder replaced black powder in 1880. Machine guns were developed by Gatling (1861), Maxim (1884), and Bergmann (1918).

The first submachine gun and assault rifle were introduced during World War I with the MP 18 (1918) and StG44 (1944), respectively. Since the mid-20th century, guns that fire energy beams or non-traditional projectiles have been developed.

Components of a Gun

The components of a gun include:

• Barrel types: Rifled (spiraled grooves) or smoothbore (no spiral grooves)
• Projectile types: Simple items like bullets, casing containing payload like shotshells or explosive shells, complex projectiles like sub-caliber projectiles and sabots
• Propellants can be air, explosive solids, or liquids.
• Some variations combine projectile and propellant into a single item.

The means of projectile propulsion vary according to design, but typically involve high-pressure gas produced by the rapid exothermic combustion of propellants or mechanical compression. New-concept linear motor weapons may employ an electromagnetic field for acceleration.

In conclusion, the journey of guns from ancient China to modern-day technology is a fascinating tale of innovation and adaptation. From simple fire lances to the complex firearms we see today, each step in their evolution brought about significant changes that shaped warfare and society as a whole.