The Development of The Gun Part I
Fire-Lances (9th-12th century)
Gunpowder was developed by Chinese monks in monastery enclaves around the 9th century. This was done using a mixture of saltpeter and sulfur which led to a fiery explosive accident. Chinese tacticians used long bamboo tubes filled with gunpowder and shrapnel along with infantry as portable flamethrowers in battle, while at first, the bamboo stalks were enough the increase in charge powder created a need for development. At first, this meant lining the stalks with metals, but the propellants became so damaging that long tubing made fully with metals such as lead, brass, and steel became commonplace. This system created the first hand and regular cannons for military use.
The Middle East (13th – 15th century)
The use of mass firearms in military formations came from the Middle East, specifically Mamluk clansmen of Egypt in the 13th century against Mongolian invaders or vice-versa (this is still debated today). The Ottoman Empire became the predominant power of the area during the 13 & 14th centuries with its use of gunpowder siege weaponry and was the first recording of ranked-in-fill Arquebusiers (unsupported hand cannons) by the Janissary Corps during 1394. Evidence of the first musket (or Rack-pinion mechanism) firearm was first described in the 15th century by a visitor to the empire as being superior to the European styles of firearms made at that time.
Southeast Asia (13th-15th century)
Whilst accounts of the gunpowder formulas reaching the southern tips of Malaya have been found as early as failed Mongolian Invasion of Java in 1293; including the Chinese style fire-lances; “firearm” development did not begin until the 15th century. It is more than likely that Arabic traders looking to spread Islam, as well as trade goods in the mid-15th century, taught local blacksmiths how to make “proper” firearms. By the time of the Portuguese arrival to the area, basic firearms such as the Java arquebus was in use by military formations. The Portuguese style of firearms though mixed with Turkish influences created a new type of style for the region of Indo-European firearms that would be used until the late 19th century.
Ottoman Cannon Circa 17th Century
