Page 33 - Inventions - A Visual Encyclopedia (DK - Smithsonian)

A piece of a mineral called
pyrite created the sparks
that fired the gun.
▼ HOW IT WORKS
A wheel lock works by
rotating a steel wheel against
a sparking material, causing
friction and sparks that ignite
the gunpowder.
Handgun

■ ■ What? Pistol easier to shoot with. Once
■ ■ Who? Unknown loaded, handguns could be
■ ■ Where and when? Europe, 16th century fired with one hand and also
During the early 16th century, smaller used while on horseback, but early
firearms were developed. Although not models could fire only a single shot German EARLY BREAKTHROUGHS
as accurate or powerful as longer-barreled before they had to be reloaded. wheel lock
weapons, their smaller size made them handgun, 1590

Percussion cap

Long barrel ■ ■ What? Firearm with percussion cap was pulled, it moved a part called the
■ ■ Who? Unknown “hammer” that struck the percussion cap,
■ ■ Where and when? US/northern Europe, sparking off the gunpowder charge and
Flintlock firearm c. 1820 firing the ammunition.
The percussion cap was a small metal
■ ■ What? Musket with flintlock mechanism cup filled with an explosive mixture of
■ ■ Who? Unknown chemicals called “fulminate” and sealed ▼ FIRING AWAY
■ ■ Where and when? Northern Europe, c. 1550
with foil. When the trigger of the gun Dressed as soldiers in the American
The flintlock mechanism was used in Civil War of the 1860s, these riflemen
a type of gun called a musket. When the Percussion-cap mechanism are firing percussion-cap weapons.
trigger was pulled, it struck a flint
against a piece of steel, creating a
spark that ignited the gunpowder.
Some muskets were “rifled,”
which meant that grooves
were marked on the inside
of the barrel to make the
bullet spin and travel
toward its target with
greater accuracy.

Sling, which
Flint could be used
to steady
the aim

Baker rifle, a type
of flintlock gun,
1802–1837

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