The Washington times., 1914-11-08
Collection of Firearms
ShOWn at Museum

Probably the best general collec-
ton OF firearms in the United States
is in possession of the New National
Museum. in this city. There are
guns and pistols in this collection
which were made as far back as
I515. From England, France, Russia,
Japan, Germany, and many other
countries the arms have been col
lccted. More than l,4oO individual
pieces are contained in the collec-
ton. There are represented military
rifles, pistols, and revolvers, sporting
shot guns and rifles. target rifles.
and pistols and numerous odd and
unusual pieces relating to the deVel-
oDment of firearms.
To China is ascribed the credit OF
having invented gunpowder, but
there is no evidence that the Chi
ncse ever made use of gunpowder.
They produced at On early period,
according 10 accounts collected in
Persia, Egypt, and the Moorish
countries in southern Europe, a GER
tain kind OF fireworks, but gun
powder for the use of firearms, 1t is
believed, originated in Spain, Italy
OF Germany. On account Of their
unreliability, firearms were slow to
be adopted, and while cannon of a
the fourteenth century, il was hot
until about 1881 that small firearms
are known to have made their ap-
ycarance in Germany. Europe In
general did not take them up until
tho middle of the fifteenth century,
when they became known as hand
cannon.
Wheel-lock Model.
The earliest form Of hand gun
was a crude affair fired by the ap-
pIication Of a burning match to
the touchhole. The first improve
ment . was the mounting OF the
match on q springless lock or cock
which later, upon the addition OF
spring, became known as the
match lock. Examples of this
early weapon from India, CHINA,
AfghaniStan, Japan, Formosa, Ara
bia, MVrOCco, and Mexico are In
the Museum collection.
The next development was the
whecl-lock gun. about 1915 or l5l1,
hred by = spark struck on pyrltes
by a roughened wheel revolved by
z sprlng Specimens of this type
of gun and pistol from Greece.
Germany, and England are also 10
be seen in the Museum exhibit
A form of flint-lock, called the
SEaphaunce, followed IN l04u. lie
substituted, in place of the wheel,
lock, which held in it's jaws piece
OF pyrites, and when released hit the
cover of the pan striking spark
which ignited the charge of powder.
a pair of pistols Of this type from
Constantinople illustrate the princi-
ple well Further improvements in
The snaphaunce resulted In the flint
lock gun, in which a piece of flint
replaced the pyrites. Examples or
this style are more common, and some
sixty are included in the Museum col
leCtions, representing nearly every
country, and well illustrating the var
Gus changes and Improvements made.
Breech Loader of 1886.
One Of the most interesting and
valuable arms in the collection, Is the
.Tonn Cookson flint-lOck breech-load-
ing magazine gun made in 1856.
which has a magazine in the stock
caIable Of holding ten rounds OF
loose powder and bullets. One move
ment Of a lever feeds the amrnuni-
tion into the barrel, cocks the ham,
l mcr, and primes the pan. In spite
" the English name of the maker,
lis odd piece is believed to be Of
parish origin on account OF its gem
raj type and the style of its decord-
ion. IL was probably brought TO
maryland by the early English col
on!sts; at least, it was found in Bal