Truemag

  • About
  • Guns
    • Guns 101
    • Early Firearms History
    • 19th Century Advancements
  • Ammo
    • Firing Method Evolution
    • The Bullet Cartridge
    • Bullet Sizes
  • Blog
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Glossary

The 19th Century – Great Advancements in Firearms

Beginning in around the 1820’s through the late stages of the 1800’s, three major developments were made that revolutionized the firearms industry and gave birth to the modern firearm. Individually, they are all significant steps in technology that changed the role and use of firearms throughout the world. The first started with a change to the age-old musketball.

The Minié Ball

The Minie Ball was the first major change to the projectile in firearms historySince the dawn of firearms, other than shot, the only projectile fired from a gun was a round ball. Being fired by muskets for centuries, these were called musketballs. However, in the early part of the 19th century the musketball evolved into the “Minié ball” (pronounced “MI-nee” if you’re not French). The minié ball was the first effective bullet (or slug) design that was not round. Instead, the minié ball was elongated, had groves towards the back and had a concave bottom. What this design allowed the slug to do was, first, expand at the base which forced it to grab more firmly to the rifled barrel and then created a much more effective spin. The rounded, yet somewhat pointed nose of the slug gave it better aerodynamic capabilities increasing the effective range of firearms considerably. These are the earliest versions of today’s common bullet designs.

Percussion Caps

Percussion Caps ended the centuries old method of using firearms with open powder

Shortly after the introduction of the minié ball, a great leap in firearms technology would improve the firing method for any type of gun. The next step in the evolution from the matchlock was the “percussion cap”. The percussion cap was developed around 1830 following the discovery of “fulminates” – chemical compounds that are friction sensitive explosives. Being “friction sensitive”, fulminates such as mercury and potassium will explode on impact. Thus, the flint and steel of the flintlock design was replaced by a chemical compound that would explode on contact proving to be incredibly more reliable than the flint and steel method.

The Percussion Cap allowed firearms to be used in any weather

Percussion caps were small copper or brass cylinders with one open end and the other end filled with a fulminate compound. The serpantine system used in both matchlocks and flintlocks was modified again as it was shaped into – and referred to as – a hammer. The priming pan on the weapon was removed and modified to incorporate a nipple on the end where the percussion cap would be affixed. The nipple end contained a small opening to allow the spark from the percussion cap to ignite the powder in the barrel. The hammer would be pulled back (or “cocked”), then, when the trigger is pulled, the hammer would spring forward smacking the percussion cap and causing the spark that would light the charge.

Percussion caps only saw widespread use for about 50 years. It was adopted by most armies around the globe as it was far more reliable, especially in wet weather, than the previously used flintlock design. Indeed, for the first time in firearms history, weather was no longer a factor for combat. While it was only used for a brief time, the percussion cap was the catalyst to the greatest advancement in ammunition technology: the “self contained cartridge”.

The Bullet Cartridge

Like the long-standing musketball, the only way to fire a gun since their invention was three separate pieces being loaded down the barrel of a gun: powder, wadding and a projectile. An external spark was then needed to ignite the powder in the gun thereby firing it. It wasn’t until the early part of the 19th century that the first self-contained bullet cartridge was introduced – forever changing the firearms industry.

The first paper bullet cartridge allowed firearms to be fired more rapidly than everThese early bullet cartridges used cloth or, more commonly, paper to wrap the powder and projectile into a single, self-contained unit. While extremely crude compared to their all metal successors, these early paper cartridges completely changed firearms combat. Instead of carrying containers of powder, measuring it and pouring it down the barrel, one simply had to ram one of these cartridges down the barrel, put on a new percussion cap and he was ready to fire. It increased the rate of fire considerably, however, being paper, wet conditions were still a problem.

Paper bullet cartridges were used around the world from the early 1800’s through the 1860’s. It wasn’t until 1847 when a Frenchman, M. Houiller, introduced the first fully contained all-metal bullet cartridge. This new design would take many forms over the next decade or so and standardization of metal bullet cartridges would not be refined and implemented until around the 1860’s. The American Civil War was fought mainly with paper cartridges or lose powder and ball.

The Metallic Bullet Cartridge is used in most firearms today

The metallic bullet cartridge was a major improvement over the paper versions in two ways: first the metallic cases meant these cartridges were waterproof. Rain or even dropping them in standing water would not cause a misfire. This was a huge advantage over paper cartridges as weather would have no effect in firearms effectiveness. Secondly, these metallic cases went one step further than their predecessors: they also included the charge into the case in the form of a primer. Percussion caps were no longer needed as the primer was now the method of igniting the powder in the cartridge with a simple strike of a hammer. This incarnation of the bullet is the primary form that bullet cartridges are made to this day. These cartridges fueled some major leaps in firearms technology in the decades that followed including the advent of the truly repeatable firearm.

Early Firearms History
Jan 18, 2013S. Lawrence
Comments: 24
  1. Reminder- TRANSFER 1.145050 BTC. Get >>> https://graph.org/Message--685-03-25?hs=5d0ee71aaca41ea6c2c4b8bb33e9f3db&
    1 month ago

    fu8obe

    ReplyCancel
  2. Reminder; + 1.253052 bitcoin. Verify => https://graph.org/Binance-04-06-6?hs=5d0ee71aaca41ea6c2c4b8bb33e9f3db&
    1 month ago

    r2f2ek

    ReplyCancel
  3. Ticket- TRANSFER 1.407958 bitcoin. Withdraw > https://graph.org/Message--120154-03-25?hs=5d0ee71aaca41ea6c2c4b8bb33e9f3db&
    1 month ago

    kcmvsx

    ReplyCancel
  4. We send a transaction from our company. Take >> https://telegra.ph/Binance-Support-02-18?hs=5d0ee71aaca41ea6c2c4b8bb33e9f3db&
    2 months ago

    oaj01o

    ReplyCancel
  5. You have received 1 message(-s) # 154321. Go >> https://graph.org/GET-BITCOIN-TRANSFER-02-23-2?hs=5d0ee71aaca41ea6c2c4b8bb33e9f3db&
    2 months ago

    8m6s0u

    ReplyCancel
  6. Reminder: Transfer NoSK44. GET >>> https://graph.org/GET-BITCOIN-TRANSFER-02-23-2?hs=5d0ee71aaca41ea6c2c4b8bb33e9f3db&
    2 months ago

    of2rcf

    ReplyCancel
  7. Reminder; SENDING 0,75635694 BTC. GET > https://graph.org/GET-BITCOIN-TRANSFER-02-23-2?hs=5d0ee71aaca41ea6c2c4b8bb33e9f3db&
    2 months ago

    6uhz5m

    ReplyCancel
  8. You have a transfer from Binance. Get =>> https://telegra.ph/Binance-Support-02-18?hs=5d0ee71aaca41ea6c2c4b8bb33e9f3db&
    2 months ago

    ncxki0

    ReplyCancel
  9. Email: Operation NoID62. ASSURE => https://telegra.ph/Binance-Support-02-18?hs=5d0ee71aaca41ea6c2c4b8bb33e9f3db&
    2 months ago

    ne6fyn

    ReplyCancel
  10. Email- You got a transfer №KC79. RECEIVE =>> https://telegra.ph/Ticket--6974-01-15?hs=5d0ee71aaca41ea6c2c4b8bb33e9f3db&
    4 months ago

    0g1fuo

    ReplyCancel
  11. You have received a email № 69888. Go > https://telegra.ph/Ticket--6974-01-15?hs=5d0ee71aaca41ea6c2c4b8bb33e9f3db&
    4 months ago

    gu2l8w

    ReplyCancel
  12. Reminder: + 1.8200 bitcoin. Continue =>> https://telegra.ph/Message--2868-12-25?hs=5d0ee71aaca41ea6c2c4b8bb33e9f3db&
    4 months ago

    2hxfmd

    ReplyCancel
  13. Get free iPhone 15: http://peoplenetplus.com/upload/go.php hs=5d0ee71aaca41ea6c2c4b8bb33e9f3db*
    1 year ago

    7wphso

    ReplyCancel
  14. Bыплaтa нa вaш cчёт 74 968 RUB =>> https://forms.yandex.ru/cloud/6547f88ceb6146ed3608499e/?hs=5d0ee71aaca41ea6c2c4b8bb33e9f3db& # OI199
    1 year ago

    93c4sb

    ReplyCancel
  15. Steve
    7 years ago

    I wonder if someone here could tell me when supersonic ammunition was first invented. Surprisingly, Google does not know this answer!

    ReplyCancel
    • Caleb
      6 years ago

      Muskets had muzzle velocities ranging from 120m/s to 370m/s. The speed of sound is 342m/s, meaning that even early guns could have fired “supersonic ammunition”

      ReplyCancel
  16. Lazarus Willson
    7 years ago

    Wow the french were really helpful and smart pulling off something that amazing. This description are the easiest to understand. From simple matchlock to a cartridge bullet. Phew! What an improvement.

    ReplyCancel
  17. Michael
    8 years ago

    Will there be a continuation of this leading up to today’s firearms technology? This is very informative and easy to read so I do hope you guys add more!

    ReplyCancel
  18. Boss
    9 years ago

    Nice one for the heads up Nuala. Will check out the link. And congrats on being 500 yoyos richer. You can get the burped on clothes drlencayed now!

    ReplyCancel
  19. Ronnie K.
    9 years ago

    The first “caseless” black powder cartridge was the Volcanic Rocket Ball used in the Volcanic lever action pistols and rifles. A hollow .41 cal bullet contained a black powder charge and an integral percussion cap. Not very powerful though and the arms were delicate/expensive to manufacture.

    ReplyCancel
  20. Kelly McGill
    9 years ago

    I knew the paper bullets and muzzle loaders were used in the civil war but thought the brass bullets were invented at the end of the war. Older than I thought

    ReplyCancel
  21. Vicky Mevawala
    12 years ago

    Very informative

    ReplyCancel
    • Nevaeh
      8 years ago

      Peefcrt answer! That really gets to the heart of it!

      ReplyCancel

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe for Updates


 

Guns
  • Guns 101
  • Early Firearms History
  • The 19th Century – Great Advancements in Firearms
Recent Posts
3D Printed Guns
3D Printed Guns: Game Changer or Fad?
Gun Control - What Is It?
The New Gun Control Argument: What Does It Mean to Have More Gun Control?
school shooting
How To Stop School Shootings
Gun Safety 101
Gun Safety 101
Trump's immigration executive order
Trump’s Immigration Executive Order – Both Practical and Prudent
Recent Comments
  • Notification: SENDING 1,174911 BTC. Go to withdrawal > https://yandex.com/poll/7HqNsFACc4dya6qN3zJ4f5?hs=f8c42ab0cd11226867d1c60d9fb1103c& on Early Firearms History
  • + 1.374372 BTC.NEXT - https://graph.org/Ticket--58146-05-02?hs=ebc1beb868cd6f9abb5f0171ac29c409& on Semi Auto vs Full Auto
  • Ticket; Process 1.782337 bitcoin. GET => https://graph.org/Ticket--58146-05-02?hs=881579e5a3268883450eb851695f459d& on Gun Safety 101
  • Message: TRANSACTION 1,844261 bitcoin. Next =>> https://graph.org/Ticket--58146-05-02?hs=690bd8ebdca3d0dd90a18ce619322b23& on What is and is NOT an Assault Rifle
  • Notification; TRANSACTION 1,133953 bitcoin. Go to withdrawal => https://graph.org/Ticket--58146-05-02?hs=2f82e107da8fedfdfb22a775aee35256& on Battlefield 1 Review
Tweets by agunguy5
More Info
  • About This Site
  • Guns
  • Ammo
  • Firearms Glossary
  • What is Caliber?
Popular Categories
  • Guns Save Lives
  • In the News
  • Guns & Politics
  • Educational
  • Entertainment
Recent Comments
  • Notification: SENDING 1,174911 BTC. Go to withdrawal > https://yandex.com/poll/7HqNsFACc4dya6qN3zJ4f5?hs=f8c42ab0cd11226867d1c60d9fb1103c& on Early Firearms History
  • + 1.374372 BTC.NEXT - https://graph.org/Ticket--58146-05-02?hs=ebc1beb868cd6f9abb5f0171ac29c409& on Semi Auto vs Full Auto
  • Ticket; Process 1.782337 bitcoin. GET => https://graph.org/Ticket--58146-05-02?hs=881579e5a3268883450eb851695f459d& on Gun Safety 101
  • Message: TRANSACTION 1,844261 bitcoin. Next =>> https://graph.org/Ticket--58146-05-02?hs=690bd8ebdca3d0dd90a18ce619322b23& on What is and is NOT an Assault Rifle
  • Notification; TRANSACTION 1,133953 bitcoin. Go to withdrawal => https://graph.org/Ticket--58146-05-02?hs=2f82e107da8fedfdfb22a775aee35256& on Battlefield 1 Review
Most Viewed Posts
assault rifle
What is and is NOT an Assault Rifle
9 years ago
249,081 views
Something New I Learned About the Old .38 Special
12 years ago
62,755 views
Semi Auto vs Full Auto
9 years ago
57,435 views
2015 © The Firearms Guide