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Due to the fragility of bamboo and wooden firearms, which are easily damaged or exploded by gunpowder, and their short range and low power, they cannot be used for extended periods. Therefore, by the end of the 13th century and the beginning of the 14th century, metal tubular firearms officially emerged. The earliest known metal tubular firearm discovered in our country is a bronze cannon cast in 1332, which is currently preserved in the Beijing Museum of Chinese History. This bronze cannon has a caliber of 10.6 centimeters, a length of 37 centimeters, and weighs approximately 14 kilograms, with the inscription "Suiyuan Taokou Jun" cast on its body. This bronze cannon is also the earliest known bronze cannon in the world, predating the earliest bronze guns in Europe by more than half a century. The earliest gun discovered by Europeans is a small bottle-shaped tube gun made of bronze, excavated in 1861 in Roskilde, Sweden, and is currently housed in the Swedish National Museum of History in Stockholm. This bottle-shaped gun is only 30 centimeters long and was cast in the latter half of the 14th century.
The tubular firearm was first invented by Chen Gui, a person from the Song Dynasty. Chen Gui was from Mizhou (present-day Zhucheng, Shandong), well-versed in military technology, resourceful, and a shrewd strategist. In 1132, the Jurchen army advanced southward.
During the Neolithic period, people recognized charcoal while firing pottery and used it as fuel. In the Shang and Zhou dynasties, charcoal was widely used in metallurgy. Charcoal has a lower ash content and higher strength compared to firewood, making it a superior fuel. Sulfur occurs naturally, and people began mining it long ago. In daily life and production, sulfur is frequently encountered; for instance, hot springs emit the smell of sulfur, and the sulfur dioxide released during metal smelting has a pungent odor, all of which leave a lasting impression.
From the Northern Song Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty, there was no clear distinction in concepts regarding catapults, guns, cannons, and incendiary firearms, as well as explosive firearms, leading to considerable overlap in classification. For instance, catapults were referred to as "cannons," and later bombs, landmines, and naval mines were also called "cannons." After the emergence of metal tube firearms, those with larger calibers were called cannons, tubes, or guns; those with smaller calibers were called guns, some of which were also referred to as tubes or guns. Military texts from the Ming Dynasty state: "The larger ones are used with vehicles, while the smaller ones are used with frames, stakes, or supports; the large ones are advantageous for defense, and the small ones are beneficial for battle." This indicates that ancient firearms were designed for infantry and cavalry to carry into battle, requiring them to be short and lightweight. The construction of cannons was intended for city defense and siege warfare, with large cannons needing to be transported by vehicles or ships or constructed as fixed fortifications. Their great power and fierce fire were sufficient to conquer fortresses and withstand enemy attacks. This distinction between large and small fundamentally determined the different developmental trajectories of guns and cannons in later periods.
The "Zhou" was the national title of Zhang Shicheng, who was a leader of the peasant uprising in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions during the late Yuan dynasty. He later became the head of a separatist force. In 1353, he captured Gaoyou and Taizhou, and the following year he declared himself "King Cheng," adopting the national title "Zhou" and changing the era name to Tianyou. The third year of Zhou corresponds to 1356, and the fourth year of Zhou corresponds to 1357. These two cannons are among the earliest heavy weapons manufactured in our country. The national title "Zhou," with the era name Tianyou, corresponds to the third year of Zhou in 1356 and the fourth year of Zhou in 1357. These two cannons are among the earliest heavy weapons manufactured in our country.
This type of multi-barrel gun equipped with a sight has an extended barrel and a reduced caliber, resulting in a significant increase in both firing rate and range. More importantly, it has improved accuracy, and the shooting mechanism has become more scientific and precise
3. The single-barreled firearms mentioned above, such as the single-eye gun, divine gun, flying divine fire poison, and dragon spear, do not have aiming devices.
The emergence of gunpowder weapons on the battlefield heralded a series of transformations in military history. It marked the transition from the era of cold weapons to that of firearms. The initial forms of gunpowder used in weaponry primarily relied on the combustion properties of gunpowder. The early gunpowder weapons recorded in the "Essentials of Military Affairs" have not yet departed from the category of incendiary weapons used in traditional fire attacks. With the development of gunpowder and gunpowder weapons, there was a gradual shift towards utilizing the explosive properties of gunpowder
9. The "Zilaihuo" gun was crafted for the emperors and nobles of the Qing Dynasty. There are two sizes, both made of cast iron. The "Zilaihuo Daqiang" (large gun) has a total weight of 5 jin and 9 liang, measuring 3 chi, 3 cun, and 6 fen in length. The muzzle extends slightly beyond the gun bed, and the muzzle is adorned with exquisite lotus petal shapes. It can hold 8 fen of gunpowder, and each iron bullet weighs 6 fen and 5 li. The gun barrel is equipped with a sight and a front sight, and it contains a ramrod that extends 1 cun from the muzzle. The gun bed is fitted with a wooden fork for support during aiming and firing. The firing mechanism is a flintlock wheel. The trigger is connected to a flower wheel, which has a firing mechanism that holds a piece of flint. When the trigger is pulled, the flower wheel immediately rotates, simultaneously striking the flint to ignite, a firing principle quite similar to modern flint lighters, making it a relatively advanced firing device for its time. The "Zilaihuo Xiaoqiang" (small gun) measures 2 chi, 4 cun, and 9 fen in length, weighing 2 jin and 12 liang, with the gun body made of Ural pine. It can hold 7 fen of gunpowder, and each iron bullet weighs 1 qian, with the remaining structure identical to that of the "Zilaihuo Daqiang".
During the Ming Dynasty, there was a type of bird gun specifically designed for use in northern regions, known as the "Xuanyuan Gun," which was also created by the renowned weapon expert Zhao Shizhen. Due to the frequent strong winds in the north, when soldiers aimed their guns, the wind would blow away the gunpowder in the firing chamber, rendering the gun inoperable. In response to this issue, Zhao Shizhen installed an automatic opening and closing firing mechanism on the gun body and added a rainproof cover on top, ensuring that the wind could no longer affect it, making it highly suitable for combat in the north. The "Nine-Headed Bird" was a large bird gun from the Ming Dynasty, weighing over 20 jin, capable of holding 1 tael and 2 qian of gunpowder, accommodating 1 large bullet and 9 small bullets (approximately the size of a coin). The gun barrel had a relatively thick caliber, resulting in significant firepower. Additionally, there was a type of bird gun exclusively for the emperor, known as the "Imperial Firearm," measuring about 10 feet in length, with a long and slender barrel, offering a greater shooting range and crafted with exquisite precision, making it a high-quality firearm for hunting.
The characteristics of the development of tubular firearms in our country are as follows: the barrels of cannons increased in size and length, while the barrels of guns transitioned from short to long, with calibers decreasing from large to small and weights from heavy to light, evolving from straight stocks to curved stocks. Both guns and cannons evolved from having no sights to being equipped with sights. In summary, by the mid-19th century, both guns and cannons remained at the stage of muzzle-loading, smoothbore, and matchlock ignition. For the convenience of weapon research, experts classified ancient firearms with large calibers, heavy bodies, and those inconvenient for infantry and cavalry to carry as cannons; while those with small calibers, light weights, and manageable by infantry and cavalry were classified as guns
Where there are fireworks, there is naturally gunpowder; where there is gunpowder, there are naturally firearms and cannons. Gunpowder is one of the Four Great Inventions of China. It is composed of a mixture of sulfur, saltpeter, and charcoal
Ancient firearms primarily refer to tubular firearms, with their most prosperous development occurring during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Not only were there a wide variety of firearms, but their designs also became increasingly complex.
Currently, our country still preserves an early metal firearm, a bronze cannon manufactured in 1351. This cannon has a caliber of 3 centimeters, a length of 44 centimeters, and weighs 4.25 kilograms. The barrel is inscribed with the phrase "Piercing through a hundred holes, resonating through the nine heavens," and was used by infantry and cavalry for charging into battle at that time. This type of firearm is relatively lightweight, compact, and easy to carry. In 1355, when Zhu Yuanzhang was stationed in Hezhou (present-day He County, Anhui), a man named Jiao Yu presented him with dozens of fire dragon guns. Zhu Yuanzhang ordered General Xu Da to test the firing of the "fire dragon gun," which, when fired, exhibited a "force like a flying dragon, penetrating through layers of leather," demonstrating considerable power. Zhu Yuanzhang joyfully remarked, "This gun can conquer the world with a mere gesture; upon success, I shall confer the title of General." Thus, he retained Jiao Yu in the army to oversee the production of firearms. In the early Ming dynasty, various types of bronze firearms in the military were largely researched and developed by Jiao Yu.
Gunpowder is a great invention, especially in its application in the military. The invention of gunpowder led to the creation of cannons and firearms, ushering warfare into the era of firearms
After the mid-Ming Dynasty, various types of firearms became increasingly diverse. In terms of construction, Ming firearms can be categorized into two types: those without sights and those with sights. Firearms without sights were mostly created before the 15th century, characterized by short barrels, larger weight and caliber, straight stocks, muzzle-loading, smoothbore, and ignition by matchlock; firearms equipped with sights were designed based on the structure of the arquebus, originating in the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty, with the "bird gun" also emerging during this time. Formally, Ming firearms can also be divided into single-barrel and multi-barrel guns. The main types of single-barrel guns include: divine guns, hand-held bronze guns, divine rifles, anti-bandit guns, flying divine fire poison dragon guns, divine machine ten-thousand victory fire dragon knives, iron thunder flying guns, great chasing wind guns, creation cycle cannons, sword guns, ten-thousand victory arquebuses, and hundreds of vanguard guns. The main types of multi-barrel guns include: clamp guns, three-eyed guns, five-eyed guns, seven-star guns, mother-and-child non-bullet guns, straight horizontal guns, eight-bucket guns, five-thunder divine machines, three-speed divine guns, and guiding thunder guns.
6. The Rumit Bird Gun Rumit was a small state in ancient the Western Regions, located in what is now the Asia Minor region. According to the "Ming History: The Secret Transmission of Lu and Tu Books," in the third year of the Jiajing era (1524), the Rumit Kingdom sent envoys to present lions and rhinoceroses, along with the Rumit gun. By 1598, the weapon expert Zhao Shizhen improved upon the design of the Rumit gun, creating a new type of bird gun—the Rumit Bird Gun. The entire gun weighs 8 jin, measures 5 to 7 chi in length, is loaded with 4 qian of powder, and the lead shot weighs 3 qian. The components such as the "dragon head" and "regulator" are installed within the gun bed, and a spring is set on the mechanism. When the mechanism is activated, the dragon head falls into the firing chamber. Once the fire ignites, releasing the finger causes the dragon head to automatically rise. The rear of the gun bed is equipped with a steel blade, allowing the gun to be turned around for use as a sabre when enemies approach. The Rumit Bird Gun has a long range and great power, and its structure is superior to that of the Japanese bird gun. Therefore, the "Military Equipment Memorandum" remarks: "Bird guns: only the Rumit gun is the farthest and most lethal."
The ancients mastered the earliest form of saltpeter, possibly the soil saltpeter found in corners and under eaves. Saltpeter has very active chemical properties and can react with many substances. Its color is not significantly different from that of other salts, making it easy to confuse during use. Through practice, people developed methods to identify saltpeter. In the "Collective Annotations on the Classic of Plants" by Tao Hongjing during the Southern and Northern Dynasties, it is mentioned: "When burned, it produces purple-blue smoke, indicating that it is saltpeter." This is similar to the modern method of identifying potassium salts through flame reactions (the main component of saltpeter is potassium nitrate). Although people had a certain understanding of the properties of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal, the formulation of gunpowder by mixing saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal in specific proportions was still the achievement of alchemists.
The artillery struck the Hu cavalry from a distance, followed by a chaotic volley of gunfire. If only there were original machine guns, Yu Wenfeng thought to himself
Artillery possesses a formidable power that light weapons cannot withstand, often effectively breaking through the frontal assaults of large enemy forces in battle and striking at the enemy's living strength. It can also swiftly destroy military facilities such as enemy fortifications, bridges, and obstacles, clearing the way for troop advancement. Additionally, in coastal defense battles, it can destroy enemy ships from a long distance. The cannons we are familiar with are often seen in films and albums reflecting war themes. On the battlefield filled with fire and smoke, several cannons fire simultaneously, with shells whistling through the sky, and the sound of explosions shaking the earth, turning all targets into ruins. Given the power of artillery, it has been highly regarded by military strategists since its inception. In ancient China, artillery was often bestowed with titles such as "Divine Might," "Distant Power," "Invincible," and "Hundred Victories," evoking a sense of awe. Consequently, the construction of artillery became even more significant, with the establishment of the "Divine Machine Camp" during the Ming Dynasty, where various types of artillery were conferred the title of "General," including Great General, Second General, Third General, as well as Bronze General and Door-Breaking General. Not only did Chinese military strategists place great importance on artillery, but armies around the world also emphasized the development of artillery. Stalin once praised artillery as the "God of War."
The original firearms, of course, also include artillery
During the Song Dynasty, the development of gunpowder weapons progressed rapidly. According to the "Song History: Military Records," in the year 970, the Minister of War, Feng Jisheng, introduced a method for rockets. This method involved binding a gunpowder tube to the front end of the arrow shaft, which, when ignited, utilized the reaction force of the gas expelled backward from the burning gunpowder to propel the arrowhead forward. This was the earliest form of a jet weapon in the world. In the year 1000, Tang Fu, a captain of the Imperial Guard who came from a soldier background, presented the court with his creations of rockets, fireballs, and fire thorns. In 1002, Shi Pu, the commander of the militia in Jizhou, also produced rockets and fireballs, and conducted a demonstration.
During the Ming Dynasty, based on the improvement of social productivity and advancements in science and technology, the creation and production of firearms experienced comprehensive development, reaching an unprecedented peak in ancient Chinese history. From the simple fire lance, it evolved into bird guns and cannons, boldly absorbing and introducing advanced weapon manufacturing technologies from Western countries, leading to reforms and innovations that propelled the development of ancient Chinese firearms to its zenith
This type of tubular firearm can only project flames, with gunpowder loaded directly inside the tube. The flames emitted have limited lethality and a restricted burning range, making it significantly inferior to cannons that are loaded with projectiles. However, under the conditions of the time, it represented a considerable advancement compared to earlier firearms that relied on external forces for projection. It effectively utilized the large volume of gas produced by the rapid combustion of gunpowder, resulting in a sudden increase in pressure within the barrel, which propelled the flames outward
The self-igniting musket was invented by Bi Maokang in 1635. Its structure and performance are not significantly different from the aforementioned bird guns; the distinction lies in the improved firing mechanism of the self-igniting musket. Bi Maokang modified the previously used matchlock mechanism to accommodate a flintlock. When the trigger is pulled, the hammer falls and strikes the flint, igniting the powder. This improvement, while seemingly simple, represents a major innovation in the history of ancient Chinese firearms. Before the advent of the "self-igniting musket," the ignition method using match cords had been in use for over 200 years in China. The use of match cords posed numerous inconveniences in harsh combat conditions, such as during inclement weather when the powder in the pan could either be blown away by the wind or dampened by rain, making ignition difficult. The flint ignition method invented by Bi Maokang not only overcame the difficulties posed by wind and rain but also eliminated the need to manually press the hammer, allowing for more accurate aiming and enabling firing under various environmental conditions at any time. Flintlock firearms were first invented in Sweden in the early 17th century. During the English bourgeois revolution (1640-1688), only a very small number of noble officers could afford such new weapons. It was not until the early 18th century that the Russian army began to use these flintlock guns. Bi Maokang's "self-igniting musket" was one of the earliest flintlock guns to appear in the world at that time, indicating that China's weapon development was still at the forefront globally.
Sulfur was once regarded as an important medicinal material. In the Han Dynasty's "Shennong Bencao Jing," nitre was ranked sixth among the top-grade medicines, believed to treat over 20 diseases. Sulfur was listed as the third among the medium-grade medicines, also capable of treating more than 10 diseases. Thus, the study of nitre and sulfur was prevalent before the invention of gunpowder. Prior to this invention, fire attacks were a common offensive strategy employed by military strategists. During such fire assaults, a weapon known as the fire arrow was used, which involved binding flammable materials like grease, rosin, and sulfur to the arrowhead, igniting it, and shooting it with a bow to burn down the enemy's positions. If gunpowder were used instead of ordinary flammable materials, the effect would be significantly better. Before the invention of gunpowder, siege and defense often relied on catapults to hurl stones and flaming oil balls to eliminate enemies. After the invention of gunpowder, catapults were utilized to launch explosive packages in place of stones and flaming oil balls. According to the "Records of the Nine Nations" by Lu Zhen from the Song Dynasty, during the reign of Emperor Ai of the Tang Dynasty (10th century), Prince Zheng Fan led an army to attack Yuzhang (present-day Nanchang, Jiangxi), employing "mechanical fire" to burn down the Longsha Gate of the city. This may be the earliest record of using gunpowder in siege warfare.
The "taijian" is a type of heavy bird gun from the Qing Dynasty, measuring approximately 1 zhang in length and weighing over 30 jin. Its structure is identical to that of the standard soldier's bird gun, but its powder load, range, and lethality far exceed those of the soldier's version. It requires two people to operate: one acts as a gun rest, shouldering the gun, while the other aims and fires. This type of gun became quite popular in the mid to late Qing Dynasty. By the end of the 18th century, due to the corruption and harsh rule of the Qing government, class contradictions intensified, leading to frequent uprisings across the country. Peasant revolts occurred year after year, with rebel forces often clashing with Qing troops in mountainous regions. In this combat environment, the peasant rebels' weapons such as broadswords, spears, bows and arrows, homemade guns, and landmines proved effective, while the Qing army's new heavy artillery struggled to advance. Consequently, they had to produce a large number of these medium-sized "taijian," weighing over 30 jin and requiring two people to carry. During the two Opium Wars in the mid-19th century and the suppression of the Taiping Rebellion, the "taijian" was one of the main firearms used by the Qing army. This firearm was relatively lightweight, easily portable without the need for vehicles or horses, and possessed considerable firepower, which allowed it to remain in use until the late 19th century during the Sino-French War, the Sino-Japanese War, and the resistance against the invasion of the Eight-Nation Alliance.
The initial design of the firearm was quite simple. Traditionally, firearms were made by filling bamboo or paper tubes with gunpowder and binding them near the tip of a long spear. During combat, the gunpowder fuse would be ignited, allowing it to both burn and stab the enemy. This primitive firearm, in a strict sense, was still considered a cold weapon. However, the "firearm" invented by Chen Gui was distinct; it utilized a thick and long bamboo tube as the barrel, filled with gunpowder. In the heat of battle, the fuse would be ignited, and the gunpowder would ignite, shooting flames from the barrel to scorch the enemy soldiers. This type of firearm required two people to operate. During the defense in De'an, Chen Gui used over 20 long bamboo pole firearms to shoot at the enemy soldiers attacking the city from the bridge, which at the time was considered a formidable display of firepower, making it difficult for the enemy to breach this wall of fire
Some firearms utilize a multi-barrel rotating firing mechanism, functioning similarly to a machine gun, allowing for continuous fire during shooting, leaving no respite for the enemy. From these characteristics, it is evident that this type of firearm is already quite close to modern rifles
Artillery first emerged during the Yuan Dynasty, developed from metal tube firearms. In ancient China, the Mongolian ethnic group was initially a society with relatively underdeveloped production. However, they were able to fully absorb and utilize the advanced culture of the Han people. By the end of the Song Dynasty, they began to develop rapidly, particularly making significant progress in weapon manufacturing. To enhance their strength, conquer the Central Plains, and ultimately rule China, the Mongolian army charged into the interior with their fierce and valiant cavalry. The development of weapon manufacturing was rapid, leading to the creation of the world's earliest metal tube firearms. By the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the fire lance had become an important weapon in military operations. In 1395, Zhu Yuanzhang's forces engaged in battle with Zhang Shicheng's troops in Shaoxing, with both armies employing fire lances. In 1366, when Xu Da led his troops to attack Pingjiang (present-day Suzhou, Jiangsu), fire lances were used extensively. By the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, when the Qing army pacified the Miao region, they destroyed over 1,000 Miao villages and confiscated 46,500 firearms, along with an additional 148,000 pieces of swords, spears, bows, crossbows, and armor. This indicates that not only did the inland armies possess a variety of weapons, but minority regions also had a substantial number of firearms.
4. The large chasing wind gun has a total length of 4 feet 9 inches, with 5 inches fitted into the wooden handle. The handle is 1 foot 9 inches long and curves downward at the end. The total weight is 18 catties. Each projectile weighs 6 taels and 5 cents, and when fired, it contains 6 taels of gunpowder, capable of reaching over 200 paces in a flat trajectory. Each gun is operated by two soldiers. During shooting, the butt is placed on an iron tripod, one person holds the gun to aim, while the other ignites and fires.
The Thunder Gun was created in 1598 by Zhao Shizhen, based on the bird gun. The Thunder Gun features 5 barrels, each over 2 feet long and weighing more than 10 pounds. The barrels are mounted on two circular discs at the front and back, with a long wooden handle in the center. It is equipped with a firing mechanism known as the "receiver," along with a specially designed small axe and a circular shield with a radius of 1 foot 6 inches. The end of the handle is fitted with a gun head, and each barrel is equipped with a front sight and a rear sight. During firing, the circular shield is placed over the gun, and the small axe is inverted into the ground to stabilize the gun. The firing mechanism is aligned with the touch hole of one barrel, and pressing the mechanism ignites the charge, allowing the 5 barrels to fire in succession. If all 5 shots are fired and there is no time to reload, the circular shield can be removed, and the gun can be inverted to use the long gun head to stab approaching enemies.
During the launch, after igniting the fuse, press it into the firing mechanism, open the fire door cover, hold the gunstock with the left hand, and firmly grip the gun's butt with the right hand. Use the index finger of the right hand to pull back the trigger (the firing mechanism), allowing the firing mechanism to fall onto the fire door, thus igniting the propellant for launch. According to Song Yingxing, when the bird gun is fired, "one shot is enough; if a bird encounters it within thirty steps, its feathers and flesh will be shattered; beyond fifty steps, it may still retain its shape." This type of bird gun, due to its long barrel, allows the bullet to have "great power and distance," with strong penetration and high accuracy. Additionally, the gun barrel is equipped with a wooden stock, allowing the left hand to support the front part of the gun during firing, making it less likely to shake. Furthermore, the most significant difference between the bird gun and previous types of firearms is the installation of the "firing mechanism" and the "trigger." The "trigger" is what is now referred to as the "trigger," which was invented by Western Europeans at the end of the 15th century and later introduced to Japan by the Dutch, reaching our country in the mid-16th century.
The Chèléichōng is the first shotgun invented by Chinese weapon experts that is loaded from the rear. In the 16th century, more advanced firearms such as the "Western Bird Gun" and "Flintlock" were introduced to China from Europe. In 1598, the renowned weapon expert Zhao Shizhen created this continuously firing shotgun based on the structural principles of the aforementioned two types of guns, naming it "Chèléichōng." The gun is approximately 6 feet long and weighs 5 jin, with each gun equipped with 5 sub-guns, each measuring 6 inches in length and weighing about 10 taels. Additionally, the front end of the sub-gun resembles a small circular mouth, while the rear has a flat square plug with a hole, allowing it to be connected to the main gun with a pin. Each sub-gun is loaded with 2.5 qian of gunpowder, and each lead bullet weighs 2 qian. The firing mechanism of the gun is similar to that of the Lùmì gun, with the addition of a protective ring outside the "regulation." The sub-guns are pre-loaded and can be alternately inserted into the barrel for firing, significantly increasing the shooting speed.
The tubular firearms used by the Song and Jin dynasties were primarily of this type, which the Jin referred to as "flying fire guns"
The "bird gun" represents a further advancement beyond firearms equipped with sights. It is one of the ancient firearms in our country that is closest to modern rifles. In 1558, during battles between the military and civilians along the southeastern coast of our country and the Japanese pirates, bird guns were obtained from the captured pirates, at that time also referred to as "bird mouth guns" or "bird guns." This type of gun is made of wrought iron, weighing approximately 5 to 6 catties, equipped with a front sight and a rear sight, with a barrel length of about 3 feet, embedded in a wooden stock (gun butt) that is approximately 5 to 7 feet long. The rear part has a handle that curves downward for better grip. The muzzle extends 2 inches from the gun, and the barrel is forged from iron, which is heated to red and then drilled into a tube using a square steel cone. The gun's body is made of wrought iron, weighing about 5 to 6 catties, equipped with a front sight and a rear sight, with a barrel length of about 3 feet, embedded in a wooden stock (gun butt) that is approximately 5 to 7 feet long. The rear part has a handle that curves downward for better grip. The muzzle extends 2 inches from the gun, and the barrel is forged from iron, which is heated to red and then drilled into a tube using a square steel cone. The rear of the gun has a touch hole, covered, and the rear part of the stock is equipped with a "dragon head" and a "regulator" (trigger). Inside the stock, there is a ramrod (cleaning rod) weighing 3 taels, used to push the gunpowder and projectiles. Each time, 3 qian of black powder is loaded from the front chamber, with each lead ball weighing 3 qian. Additionally, each gun is equipped with a match cord, 2 zhang long, weighing 3 taels.
The military and political officials of Hubei De'an Prefecture (present-day Anlu County) fled in a panic, leaving behind soldiers and civilians in the city who elected Chen Gui to oversee the defense of the city. It was during this battle to defend De'an that Chen Gui created the world's earliest tubular firearm, named "huo qiang" (fire gun)
In ancient Chinese weaponry, the distinction between spears and cannons was not clear, and initially, there were no established specifications or standards.
The use of the "trigger" has coordinated the actions of ignition and aiming, significantly enhancing the stability of the firearm during shooting. As stated in the "Wubei Zhi": "The rear hand does not abandon the grip, and the ignition remains steady, thus eight or nine out of ten shots hit the target, allowing even birds in the forest to be shot down, hence the name." This simple shooting mechanism can be considered a major improvement in the history of firearms, enabling the shotgun to emerge as a new generation of shooting firearms and marking a new era in the history of rifles. As stated in the "Wubei Zhi": "The rear hand does not abandon the grip, and the ignition remains steady, thus eight or nine out of ten shots hit the target, allowing even birds in the forest to be shot down, hence the name." This simple shooting mechanism can be considered a major improvement in the history of firearms, enabling the shotgun to emerge as a new generation of shooting firearms and marking a new era in the history of rifles.
Whenever he thinks of this, Yu Wenfeng's heart burns with passion. If he were to single-handedly transition the era of cold weapons into the era of firearms, what would that be like
The flintlock gun. This type of gun is an improvement based on the musket, and it also uses giant bamboo for the barrel. The barrel is filled with gunpowder and "sub-projectiles". When fired, it ejects flames while simultaneously shooting out the "sub-projectiles", which are referred to as "sub-projectiles".
2. Flying Heavenly Fire Poison | Dragon Spear Flying Heavenly Fire Poison | The Dragon Spear can be cast from copper, and there are also versions made from iron. The barrel is 1.5 feet long, with a lead bullet installed in the middle, and a blade-shaped edge at the top, measuring 2.5 inches, coated with poison. Two poison fire tubes are bound to the side of the barrel, containing fire-spitting poison agents. At a distance from the enemy, it can fire lead bullets; at close range, it can spray flames and poisonous smoke; during close combat, it can stab the enemy with the spear tip, serving three purposes in one device. This is the earliest known spear with a bayonet in our country. At a distance from the enemy, it can fire lead bullets; at close range, it can spray flames and poisonous smoke; during close combat, it can stab the enemy with the spear tip, serving three purposes in one device. This is the earliest known spear with a bayonet in our country
The military texts of the Ming Dynasty mention such firearms as the "Reverse Horse Fire Snake Divine Stick" and the "Heavenly Invader Yin-Yang Spade". From these marvelous names, one can see that these firearms, when used, exhibit a myriad of transformations, almost performing magical feats in battle.
The bullet chamber was filled with materials such as porcelain pieces, scrap iron, and stones, which became the precursor to later firearms that launched projectiles. At that time, the "tuhuo gun" already possessed the three fundamental elements of a shooting firearm—barrel, gunpowder, and bullet. This represented a significant advancement over the conventional "fire gun." The tuhhuo gun was one of the earliest shooting firearms in the world. Its range increased, producing a thunderous sound that could be heard from over 150 steps away. Later, the Mongolian army also imitated the design of the tuhhuo gun, creating bamboo fire tubes. During the western expeditions, this new type of firearm achieved remarkable military success.
During the Ming Dynasty, the most commonly used firearms were single-barrel guns, which consisted of single-shot and multi-shot single-barrel guns. The main types included the following: 1. The divine gun, which was modeled after the Annamese divine gun obtained during the campaign to pacify Annam (present-day northern Vietnam) in the early Yongle period. It had a longer barrel than the firearms produced in the Ming Dynasty and a greater range, capable of firing both lead bullets and arrows. After loading the ammunition, a wooden wad made of ironwood was placed on top. The ironwood, a hard timber produced in the Guangdong region during the Ming Dynasty, was heavy and strong, hence its name. An arrow was then placed on top of the wooden wad, allowing it to be fired with a range of up to 300 paces. A similar firearm was the "anti-pirate gun," made of iron, with a barrel length of 3 feet and a wooden handle length of 2 feet. It was sturdier than the single-barrel gun, with a longer powder chamber and a shorter handle, and its internal structure was the same as that of the divine gun, also achieving a range of 300 paces.
By the year 1259, Shouchun Prefecture (present-day Shouxian, Anhui) had created the earliest known device in China capable of launching "Zika"
In 1769, when the Qing army advanced to the Yunnan border, there were around 50,000 to 60,000 elite soldiers from both Manchu and Han backgrounds, along with over 60,000 mules and horses, carrying a wide variety of weapons, many of which were renowned armaments of the time. The "History of the Qing Dynasty" records: "All the divine machine firearms from the capital, the fire arrows from Henan, the nine-section bronze cannons from Sichuan, the iron deer from Hunan, as well as the military uniforms and munitions manufactured in Yunnan, were all fully equipped." During the Xianfeng period of the Qing Dynasty, several hundred iron cannons of various sizes were unearthed at the Jinling parade ground in Nanjing, among which two were cast at the end of the Yuan Dynasty. One of them was inscribed with the words "Made in the third year of Zhou, weighing 500 jin"; the other cannon was engraved with "Made in the fourth year of Zhou, on the day of June, weighing 350 jin"
Before the Song Dynasty, the term "cannon" primarily referred to catapults, while later it came to encompass certain firearms and explosive weapons. After the mid-Ming Dynasty, people gradually began to refer to large-caliber, heavy firearms as "general" or "cannon," while smaller-caliber, lighter firearms were called "zhong" or "gun," thus establishing a distinction between guns and cannons. Therefore, the term "cannon" truly acquired the meaning we understand today only after the 16th century. After the mid-Ming Dynasty, people gradually began to refer to large-caliber, heavy firearms as "general" or "cannon," while smaller-caliber, lighter firearms were called "zhong" or "gun," thus establishing a distinction between guns and cannons. Therefore, the term "cannon" truly acquired the meaning we understand today only after the 16th century
The sword gun and the single-barreled guns described below are all equipped with sights and have extended barrels. The body of the sword gun is 4.8 feet long and weighs 8 pounds. The rear of the barrel is fitted with a 9-inch long blade, and the wooden handle is over 2 feet long, bending downward after the midpoint. The muzzle has a front sight, and the rear of the barrel has a rear sight. The front and rear sights were the aiming devices of that time. There is a touch hole in the middle of the gun body. The gun is loaded with lead bullets, each weighing 3 qian, and for each shot, 3 qian of gunpowder is loaded into the barrel. When fired parallel, the range can reach over 200 steps. The sword gun is also a versatile firearm that can be used in three ways. At a distance, it is used for shooting; at close range, it can be wielded like a club; and by removing the wooden handle and reversing the blade at the tail, it can also be used as a spear.
Gunpowder, composed of potassium nitrate, sulfur, and charcoal powder, is referred to as black powder or brown powder. This mixture is highly flammable and burns quite vigorously. If gunpowder burns in a sealed container, an explosion will occur. The combustion of gunpowder generates a large volume of gases (nitrogen, carbon dioxide) and heat. The originally small volume of solid gunpowder suddenly expands, increasing to several thousand times its original size, at which point the container will explode. This is the explosive property of gunpowder. Utilizing the combustion and explosive properties of gunpowder, various types of firearms can be manufactured. The firearms used during the Northern Song Dynasty, which served different purposes, were all made based on the principles of black powder combustion and explosion. The thorn fireball and poison smoke ball are examples of firearms with relatively low explosive power. By the end of the Northern Song Dynasty, firearms with greater explosive power, such as the "thunder cannon" and "earth-shaking thunder," also emerged. These types of firearms were primarily used for siege or city defense. In 1126 AD, when Li Gang defended Kaifeng, he used the thunder cannon to repel the Jin army's siege. The wars between the Jin and the Northern Song further improved artillery. The earth-shaking thunder is an iron firearm, a type of explosive weapon with an iron shell. When the Yuan army attacked Jin's Nanjing (present-day Kaifeng, Henan), the Jin soldiers used this weapon for defense. The "History of Jin" describes the earth-shaking thunder as follows: "When the gunpowder ignites, the sound is like thunder, the heat reaches half an acre, and both people and cowhide are shattered without a trace, while armor and iron are penetrated." This description may be somewhat exaggerated, but it is a true reflection of the power of gunpowder.