Timeline

• 1232: The Chinese who invented gunpowder (black powder) first used it in a weapon - gunpowder filled tubes a.k.a. rockets.
• 1364: First recorded use of a firearm - shooter lit wicks by hand that ignited gunpowder that was loaded into the gun barrel.
• 1400s: Matchlock guns - first mechanically firing of guns. Wicks were now attached to a clamp that sprang into gunpowder that was placed in a "flash pan".
• 1509: Wheel lock guns - wicks were replaced the wheel lock that generated a spark for igniting the gunpowder.
• 1630: Flintlock guns - the flintlock did two things mechanically, it opened the lid of the flash pan and provided an igniting spark.
• 1825: Percussion-cap guns invented by Reverend John Forsyth - firing mechanism no longer uses flash pan, a tube lead straight into the gun barrel, the tube had an explosive cap on it that exploded when struck
• 1830: Back action lock
• 1835: Colt revolver - first mass-produced, multi-shot, revolving firearms
• 1840: Pin-fire cartridges
• 1850: Shotguns
• 1859: Full rim-fire cartridge
• 1860: Spencer repeating carbine patented
• 1861: Breech loaded guns
• 1862: Gatling Gun
• 1869: Center-fire cartridge
• 1871: Cartridge revolver
• 1873: Winchester rifle
• 1877: Double-action revolver
• 1879: Lee box magazine patented
• 1892: Automatic handguns invented by Joseph Laumann
• 1893: Borchardt pistol - automatic handgun with a separate magazine in the grip
• 1903: First automatic rifle a Winchester.