The history of ammo-
To understand how American citizens today can get their hands on ammo, which rolls off the same factory lines as those that supply the world’s largest militaries, it’s important to first understand how munitions technology developed. Starting in medieval Europe, on a battlefield where a mounted knight in armor could defeat almost any number of peasants, the development of more advanced and accurate ways to destroy enemy personnel and equipment by launching a projectile is one which combines trial and error, scientific ingenuity, and private enterprise. It’s a story of power and technology dating back to the 13th century, at the height of “the divine right of kings,” and tracks the subsequent diffusion of that power held by a chosen few as the individual became capable of breaking the state’s monopoly on violence.
The first recorded use of gunpowder appeared in Europe in 1247, although China had used gunpowder for centuries before that, mostly for fireworks. The cannon appeared nearly 100 years later in 1327, with a hand-sized version making its debut in 1364. The first ordnances were made of stone, and while it might have been theoretically possible for anyone to own one, this would have been outside the financial reach of anyone but the nobility.
Stone was quickly discarded as a source of materiel for one simple reason: It wasn’t effective against stone fortifications. Thus did the first ever arms race begin…
I think rifling was invented well before the mid 19th century.
This reminds me; haven’t seen Bad Brad on here in a while.
Great article. I get most of my ammo here. https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=146
A wide selection of standard hand gun ammo including +p and +p+, and a huge selection of long rifle ammo.
The guy who owns Buffalo Bore Ammo is a bit of a jerk. Pretty good ammo, though.
@manbearpig ~ rifling was invented in the 1400’s, but the author was talking about progressive rifling, or gain-twist. the old 1858 Colt Army used it, if memory serves. it helps keep the barrel cleaner of powder residue, which was a problem w/ many Civil War era rifles … also a more expensive rifling process not used much today in commercial firearms