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History of early firearms: Handgonnes and Matchlocks

This essay takes a look at early firearm development up till the 1500’s. It is a fascinating read.

Certainly, the first uses of gunpowder are psychological – loud bangs and sausage-shaped rockets snaking across the battlefield to terrify men and horses. This is the role we can see for the fire lances of 1132. It is a short step from here to the early handgonne. I believe that while the bamboo pellet throwers of 1259 did not use true gunpowder, they certainly were a first application of the principle of using burning gases to throw a projectile…

~Dispater North 1411
Serpentine lock firearm, 1411


More here.

Posted by Steve on Jan 24th 2008 | Filed in blackpowder, misc, weapons | Comments (2)

Gun Buyback Program issues IOUs

Springfield, IL, has just overspent by $40,000 on their gun buyback program. Funds are to come out of community development and drug forfeiture.

Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin admitted that he had only expected the event to take in 100 guns, so they had to issue IOU cards to most of those who turned their guns in. He plans to submit an emergency ordinance to pay for the additional debit cards that they owe using funds currently earmarked for community development along with drug forfeiture money.

Only illegally owned firearms should be eligible for gun buybacks. Oh … wait … criminals are not going to give up their guns … silly me!

More here.

Posted by Steve on Nov 1st 2007 | Filed in misc, news | Comments (2)