Development of hand firearms in XVII-XIX centuries

The article analyses the key scientific and engineering discoveries which led to the significant modifications of the hand firearms. In the author’s opinion, it is these discoveries, and not the political factors, that caused the rearmament of the European armies. Findings of the research show that the weaponry becomes more useful for conducting of combat due to the caliber decrease, the use of the white gun powder, the advent of the repeater rifles etc.

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