The bow--The sling--Crossbow--Field artillery of the Normans-- Artillery of the ancients--Range of the crossbow and longbow--The ram of Vespasian--Guns first employed in 1327--Guns at the battle of Cressy--Cannon of 1390--Skill of English archers--Defensive armour-- Portable firearms invented in 1430--Primitive hand-gun--Iron cannon recovered from the _Mary Rose_, wrecked in 1545--“Chambers”--Match- lock and wheel-lock--Fire-lock--Damascus gun-barrels--Birmingham guns--Spanish pistol with magazine--Percussion lock--The revolving pistol not a new invention--Colt’s revolver--Breech-loading guns 1
Origin of its invention--Roger Bacon’s recipe--Accidental discovery by a German monk--Gunpowder introduced by the Saracens--Its explosive and propellant properties--Composition of gunpowder--Nitre its essence--Properties of sulphur as an ingredient--Proportions and constituents of French gunpowder--Sulphur not always indispensable-- Chemical principles of its composition--Component parts of different gunpowders--Source of its explosive force--Explosion at Gateshead-- Variations in strength and quickness of fire--Granulation of sporting gunpowder and of artillery gunpowder--Importance of suitable granulation for different firearms--Large grain powder the more effectual expellant--Fine powder dangerous--Principle of granulation-- Gun-cotton--Imperfect instrument for testing gunpowder--Charcoal-- Operation of making gunpowder described--“Glazing” detrimental-- Utility of granulation--Fine grain powder--Dr. Ure on the projectile force of gunpowder--Dr. Hutton’s calculations and experiments--Mode of controlling the destructive force of gunpowder--Experiments to test the velocity of explosive force of different granulations--The grain should be proportioned to the length and bore of the gun--Chlorate of potassa used by the French in making gunpowder--Similar powder proposed by Mr. Parr, and condemned by Sir William Congreve--Velocity in projectile force must be gradual--Curious experiment--Operation of blasting stone, &c., with gunpowder--English sporting gunpowder-- Military and naval gunpowder--Fame of English gunpowder makers 18