Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics
Examining and Interpreting Forensic Evidence
Chapter One
Firearms
1.1 A Brief History of Firearms
1.1.1 Early hand cannons
The earliest type of handgun was simply a small cannon of wrought iron or
bronze, fitted to a frame or stock with metal bands or leather thongs. These
weapons were loaded from the muzzle end of the barrel with powder, wad and
ball. A small hole at the breech end of the barrel, the touch hole, was provided
with a pan into which a priming charge of powder was placed. On igniting this
priming charge, either with a hot iron or lighted match, fire flashed through the
touch hole and into the main powder charge to discharge the weapon.
These early weapons could have been little more than psychological deterrents
being clumsy, slow to fire and difficult to aim. In addition, rain or damp weather
had an adverse effect on the priming charge making it impossible to ignite.
Their first reported use is difficult to ascertain with any degree of certainty,
but a number of instances are repor ... read full excerpt from Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics: Examining and Interpreting Forensic Evidence ebook
