The earliest depiction of a gun is a sculpture from a cave in Sichuan dating to the 12th century. It depicts a Chinese figure carrying a vase-shaped bombard. The oldest surviving firearm is the Heilongjiang hand cannon dated to 1288.
While the Chinese discovery of the fire lance is usually cited as the first gun ever made, there are other possible developments that could have led to the evolution of weapons. Chen Gui, a military strategist from the Southern Song Dynasty, is credited with inventing the rifle in 1132. Several early gun-like weapons have been discovered in other parts of the world. The European hand cannon fired a metal ball propelled by gunpowder.
Impact of Firearms
Invented in 1862 by Richard Jordan Gatling, the Gatling gun used a hand-crank mechanism to shoot rapid-fire. The invention of smokeless gunpowder led to the Maxim gun by Hiram Maxim in 1884. Maxim-style guns remained popular, but the assault rifle eventually replaced them.
The technology of firearms has a long history that spans many centuries and cultures. From the early fire lances of China to the modern weapons, the development of firearms has had a significant impact on warfare, law enforcement, and hunting. However, the widespread availability of guns has also led to concerns about violence and public safety.
First Gun Invention
The first gun ever made was invented over 800 years ago by the Chinese. The gun was invented in the late 13th century by Choe Museon. It was a basic hand cannon that used gunpowder to propel projectiles.
The Chinese discovery of the fire lance is usually cited as the first gun. However, there are other possible developments. Chen Gui, a military strategist, is credited with inventing the rifle in 1132. Several early gun-like weapons were discovered in other parts of the world, like the European hand cannon.