{"id":34746,"date":"2025-11-25T20:36:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T18:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gridlockarmsandoutdoor.co.za\/V2\/?page_id=34746"},"modified":"2025-12-08T23:01:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T21:01:12","slug":"firearm-history-firearm-evolution","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/gridlockarmsandoutdoor.co.za\/new\/pew-pew-portal\/firearm-history-firearm-evolution\/","title":{"rendered":"Firearm History"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"34746\" class=\"elementor elementor-34746\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a1881f e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6a1881f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24a2c37 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-navigation\" data-id=\"24a2c37\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-navigation.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation\" role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Post Navigation\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation__prev elementor-post-navigation__link\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/gridlockarmsandoutdoor.co.za\/new\/pew-pew-portal\/what-is-a-firearm-south-africa\/\" rel=\"prev\"><span class=\"post-navigation__arrow-wrapper post-navigation__arrow-prev\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-angle-left\"><\/i><span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Prev<\/span><\/span><span class=\"elementor-post-navigation__link__prev\"><span class=\"post-navigation__prev--label\">Previous<\/span><span class=\"post-navigation__prev--title\">What Is a Firearm<\/span><\/span><\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation__next elementor-post-navigation__link\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/gridlockarmsandoutdoor.co.za\/new\/pew-pew-portal\/licence-categories-south-africa\/\" rel=\"next\"><span class=\"elementor-post-navigation__link__next\"><span class=\"post-navigation__next--label\">Next<\/span><span class=\"post-navigation__next--title\">Licence Categories<\/span><\/span><span class=\"post-navigation__arrow-wrapper post-navigation__arrow-next\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Next<\/span><\/span><\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee48a49 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ee48a49\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b13ad39 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-trx_sc_title\" data-id=\"b13ad39\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"trx_sc_title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div\t\tclass=\"sc_title sc_title_icon_bottom\" ><h2 class=\"sc_item_title sc_title_title sc_align_center sc_item_title_style_icon_bottom\"\n\t\t\t><span class=\"sc_item_title_text\">Firearm History: The Complete Evolution of Modern Firearms<\/span><\/h2><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d86b728 sc_height_tiny sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"d86b728\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3da730a sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3da730a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong data-start=\"816\" data-end=\"831\">Disclaimer:<\/strong> The information on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only. While we aim to present accurate and up-to-date guidance, all current and prospective firearm owners are responsible for conducting their own research and confirming legal requirements with official sources.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9dcf92 sc_height_tiny sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"d9dcf92\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-206f123 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"206f123\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d27dcc e-grid e-con-full sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2d27dcc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aebbb14 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"aebbb14\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"952\" height=\"635\" src=\"https:\/\/gridlockarmsandoutdoor.co.za\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Evolution-of-firearms-3-Resized.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-34787\" alt=\"Firearm history\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gridlockarmsandoutdoor.co.za\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Evolution-of-firearms-3-Resized.webp 952w, https:\/\/gridlockarmsandoutdoor.co.za\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Evolution-of-firearms-3-Resized-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/gridlockarmsandoutdoor.co.za\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Evolution-of-firearms-3-Resized-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/gridlockarmsandoutdoor.co.za\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Evolution-of-firearms-3-Resized-370x247.webp 370w, https:\/\/gridlockarmsandoutdoor.co.za\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Evolution-of-firearms-3-Resized-840x560.webp 840w, https:\/\/gridlockarmsandoutdoor.co.za\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Evolution-of-firearms-3-Resized-410x273.webp 410w, https:\/\/gridlockarmsandoutdoor.co.za\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Evolution-of-firearms-3-Resized-500x334.webp 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 952px) 100vw, 952px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c1677e8 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c1677e8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"1503\" data-end=\"1920\">Understanding <em data-start=\"1517\" data-end=\"1534\">firearm history<\/em> gives every South African firearm owner deeper insight into how modern firearms work, how they have improved over time, and why today\u2019s licensing system exists. From early black-powder ignition systems to the advanced precision platforms used in sport shooting, hunting, and lawful self-defence today, the evolution of firearms is a story of innovation, engineering, and human adaptability.<\/p><p data-start=\"1922\" data-end=\"2054\">This comprehensive <em data-start=\"1517\" data-end=\"1534\">firearm history <\/em>guide explores the origins, development, and key technological milestones that shaped the firearms we know today.<\/p><p data-start=\"1243\" data-end=\"1540\">In a country where firearm ownership is both a right and a regulated privilege, knowing the legal meaning of a firearm \u2014 as well as what devices are <strong data-start=\"1392\" data-end=\"1399\">not<\/strong> considered firearms \u2014 protects you from accidental non-compliance and gives you the confidence to navigate the licensing system effectively.<\/p><p data-start=\"1542\" data-end=\"1732\">This extended <em data-start=\"1517\" data-end=\"1534\">firearm history <\/em>guide explores the legal definition, firearm components, classifications, safety responsibilities, and the critical role this knowledge plays throughout your licensing journey.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6fabe29 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6fabe29\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31525e1 sc_height_small elementor-widget-divider--view-line sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"31525e1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-85ea122 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"85ea122\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-128e0c7 elementor-toc--minimized-on-tablet sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"128e0c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h3&quot;],&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:[],&quot;no_headings_message&quot;:&quot;No headings were found on this page.&quot;,&quot;marker_view&quot;:&quot;numbers&quot;,&quot;minimize_box&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;minimized_on&quot;:&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;hierarchical_view&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;min_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-toc__header-title\">\n\t\t\t\tTable of Contents\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--expand\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__128e0c7\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Open table of contents\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--collapse\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__128e0c7\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close table of contents\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-toc__128e0c7\" class=\"elementor-toc__body\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__spinner-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"elementor-toc__spinner eicon-animation-spin eicon-loading\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe22f6a e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"fe22f6a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29b9197 sc_height_small elementor-widget-divider--view-line sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"29b9197\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0155310 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0155310\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e62728b e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e62728b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f9f9ad sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8f9f9ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Origins of Firearms<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d13ce17 sc_height_tiny sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"d13ce17\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-08032ea sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"08032ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"2737\" data-end=\"2979\">Firearms began as simple tubes of metal or hardened bamboo charged with gunpowder and ignited with a glowing stick. These primitive devices were slow, dangerous, and unpredictable \u2014 but they marked the beginning of a technological revolution.<\/p><p data-start=\"2981\" data-end=\"3133\">The earliest recorded firearms date back to <strong data-start=\"3025\" data-end=\"3047\">10th-century China<\/strong>, where military engineers experimented with explosive mixtures to propel projectiles.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-898ab2b e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"898ab2b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a647264 sc_height_small elementor-widget-divider--view-line sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"a647264\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21cb688 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"21cb688\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b6b962c e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b6b962c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49e769b sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"49e769b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Invention of Gunpowder<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-20d7e5b sc_height_tiny sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"20d7e5b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd2499a sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bd2499a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"3180\" data-end=\"3428\">The foundation of firearm history is <strong data-start=\"3217\" data-end=\"3230\">gunpowder<\/strong>, also known as \u201cblack powder.\u201d<br data-start=\"3261\" data-end=\"3264\" \/>Invented in China during the 9th century, gunpowder was the first propellant capable of generating enough gas pressure to launch a projectile from a sealed chamber.<\/p><p data-start=\"3430\" data-end=\"3452\">Gunpowder composition:<\/p><ul data-start=\"3453\" data-end=\"3499\"><li data-start=\"3453\" data-end=\"3474\"><p data-start=\"3455\" data-end=\"3474\">Potassium nitrate<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"3475\" data-end=\"3487\"><p data-start=\"3477\" data-end=\"3487\">Charcoal<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"3488\" data-end=\"3499\"><p data-start=\"3490\" data-end=\"3499\">Sulphur<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"3501\" data-end=\"3601\">This mixture made early projectile weapons feasible, paving the way for every firearm that followed.<\/p><p data-start=\"3603\" data-end=\"3686\"><strong data-start=\"3603\" data-end=\"3636\">External resource:<\/strong><br data-start=\"3636\" data-end=\"3639\" \/><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/technology\/gunpowder\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"3639\" data-end=\"3686\">https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/technology\/gunpowder<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68cd0c6 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"68cd0c6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22c3908 sc_height_small elementor-widget-divider--view-line sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"22c3908\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba88576 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ba88576\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f11193 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1f11193\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10668f6 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"10668f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Early Hand Cannons and Proto-Firearms<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d6876a sc_height_tiny sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"5d6876a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a9032c sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2a9032c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"3744\" data-end=\"3900\">By the 1200s, gunpowder moved from China into the Middle East and Europe via trade routes. Armies began using <strong data-start=\"3854\" data-end=\"3870\">hand cannons<\/strong> \u2014 the earliest true firearms.<\/p><p data-start=\"3902\" data-end=\"3918\">Characteristics:<\/p><ul data-start=\"3919\" data-end=\"4076\"><li data-start=\"3919\" data-end=\"3965\"><p data-start=\"3921\" data-end=\"3965\">Simple metal tubes mounted on wooden poles<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"3966\" data-end=\"4035\"><p data-start=\"3968\" data-end=\"4035\">Loaded with powder and a projectile (stone, lead ball, iron plug)<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"4036\" data-end=\"4076\"><p data-start=\"4038\" data-end=\"4076\">Ignited manually with a burning wick<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"4078\" data-end=\"4133\">Despite their simplicity, they changed warfare forever.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba349c8 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ba349c8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2722ff7 sc_height_small elementor-widget-divider--view-line sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"2722ff7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6dbd44 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a6dbd44\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-486ccdd e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"486ccdd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac30148 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ac30148\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Matchlock and Wheel-Lock Ignition Systems<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e53d73 sc_height_tiny sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"7e53d73\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a83319 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1a83319\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"4195\" data-end=\"4290\">The next major advancement in firearm history was the invention of controlled ignition systems.<\/p><h5 data-start=\"4292\" data-end=\"4322\">Matchlock (Late 1400s)<\/h5><p data-start=\"4323\" data-end=\"4456\">The matchlock introduced a lever mechanism holding a burning match-cord, which lowered into a powder pan when the trigger was pulled.<\/p><p data-start=\"4458\" data-end=\"4545\">Pros: Reliable ignition<br data-start=\"4481\" data-end=\"4484\" \/>Cons: Useless in rain, match-cord reveals the shooter\u2019s position<\/p><h5 data-start=\"4547\" data-end=\"4573\">Wheel-Lock (1500s)<\/h5><p data-start=\"4574\" data-end=\"4630\">A spinning steel wheel produced sparks to ignite powder.<\/p><p data-start=\"4632\" data-end=\"4704\">Pros: Worked in more conditions<br data-start=\"4663\" data-end=\"4666\" \/>Cons: Too expensive for widespread use<\/p><p data-start=\"4706\" data-end=\"4776\">These innovations made firearms more practical and usable by infantry.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b0c9bc3 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b0c9bc3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e4440b8 sc_height_small elementor-widget-divider--view-line sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"e4440b8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b732448 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b732448\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0452dc8 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0452dc8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6223a8 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f6223a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Flintlock Firearms and Their Dominance<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29c4afb sc_height_tiny sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"29c4afb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b76558 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1b76558\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"4835\" data-end=\"4926\">The <strong data-start=\"4839\" data-end=\"4852\">flintlock<\/strong>, introduced in the 1600s, became the world standard for nearly 200 years and was a major benchmark in <em data-start=\"1517\" data-end=\"1534\">firearm history<\/em>.<\/p><p data-start=\"4928\" data-end=\"4942\">How it worked:<\/p><ul data-start=\"4943\" data-end=\"5084\"><li data-start=\"4943\" data-end=\"4993\"><p data-start=\"4945\" data-end=\"4993\">A piece of flint struck steel to create sparks<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"4994\" data-end=\"5030\"><p data-start=\"4996\" data-end=\"5030\">Sparks ignited powder in the pan<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"5031\" data-end=\"5084\"><p data-start=\"5033\" data-end=\"5084\">Flash flame ignited the main charge in the barrel<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"5086\" data-end=\"5107\">Flintlocks dominated:<\/p><ul data-start=\"5108\" data-end=\"5169\"><li data-start=\"5108\" data-end=\"5127\"><p data-start=\"5110\" data-end=\"5127\">Military rifles<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"5128\" data-end=\"5139\"><p data-start=\"5130\" data-end=\"5139\">Muskets<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"5140\" data-end=\"5151\"><p data-start=\"5142\" data-end=\"5151\">Pistols<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"5152\" data-end=\"5169\"><p data-start=\"5154\" data-end=\"5169\">Naval weapons<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"5171\" data-end=\"5255\">They were more reliable, easier to produce, and faster to load than earlier designs.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63f4262 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"63f4262\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf34075 sc_height_small elementor-widget-divider--view-line sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"bf34075\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2296258 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2296258\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e21a103 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e21a103\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d3aef5 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6d3aef5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Percussion Caps and Industrial Advancements<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-43412d9 sc_height_tiny sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"43412d9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-20fd241 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"20fd241\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"5319\" data-end=\"5408\">In the early 1800s, the invention of the <strong data-start=\"5360\" data-end=\"5378\">percussion cap<\/strong> transformed ignition systems.<\/p><p data-start=\"5410\" data-end=\"5579\">Instead of relying on sparks, shooters used a small metal cap filled with a shock-sensitive compound. When struck by the hammer, the compound ignited, firing the weapon.<\/p><p data-start=\"5581\" data-end=\"5592\">Advantages:<\/p><ul data-start=\"5593\" data-end=\"5699\"><li data-start=\"5593\" data-end=\"5614\"><p data-start=\"5595\" data-end=\"5614\">Weather resistant<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"5615\" data-end=\"5634\"><p data-start=\"5617\" data-end=\"5634\">Faster ignition<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"5635\" data-end=\"5699\"><p data-start=\"5637\" data-end=\"5699\">Allowed the creation of early revolvers and repeating rifles<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"5701\" data-end=\"5785\">This innovation marked the transition into the industrial age of firearm production.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-07b32f7 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"07b32f7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b970c22 sc_height_small elementor-widget-divider--view-line sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"b970c22\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44ee57b e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"44ee57b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ae6942 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0ae6942\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d6afcc sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2d6afcc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Metallic Cartridges: The Revolution Begins<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fca0d7b sc_height_tiny sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"fca0d7b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4aed873 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4aed873\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"5848\" data-end=\"5972\">The single greatest leap in firearm history was the invention of the <strong data-start=\"5917\" data-end=\"5954\">self-contained metallic cartridge<\/strong> in the mid-1800s.<\/p><p data-start=\"5974\" data-end=\"5995\">A cartridge combined:<\/p><ul data-start=\"5996\" data-end=\"6041\"><li data-start=\"5996\" data-end=\"6006\"><p data-start=\"5998\" data-end=\"6006\">Primer<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"6007\" data-end=\"6017\"><p data-start=\"6009\" data-end=\"6017\">Powder<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"6018\" data-end=\"6032\"><p data-start=\"6020\" data-end=\"6032\">Projectile<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"6033\" data-end=\"6041\"><p data-start=\"6035\" data-end=\"6041\">Case<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"6043\" data-end=\"6123\">This eliminated the need for multiple loading steps and made repeaters possible.<\/p><p data-start=\"6125\" data-end=\"6153\">Cartridge innovation led to:<\/p><ul data-start=\"6154\" data-end=\"6241\"><li data-start=\"6154\" data-end=\"6177\"><p data-start=\"6156\" data-end=\"6177\">Lever-action rifles<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"6178\" data-end=\"6191\"><p data-start=\"6180\" data-end=\"6191\">Revolvers<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"6192\" data-end=\"6215\"><p data-start=\"6194\" data-end=\"6215\">Magazine-fed rifles<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"6216\" data-end=\"6241\"><p data-start=\"6218\" data-end=\"6241\">Break-action shotguns<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"6243\" data-end=\"6295\">The firearm became faster, safer, and more reliable.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb18471 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"eb18471\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8d615c1 sc_height_small elementor-widget-divider--view-line sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"8d615c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b2e5bd e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5b2e5bd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13eb8ca e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"13eb8ca\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9dad49a sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9dad49a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Bolt-Action, Lever-Action &amp; Pump-Action Systems<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-90dbdc3 sc_height_tiny sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"90dbdc3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1aef0e2 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1aef0e2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5 data-start=\"6363\" data-end=\"6382\">Bolt-Action<\/h5><p data-start=\"6383\" data-end=\"6440\">Introduced in the late 1800s, bolt-action rifles offered:<\/p><ul data-start=\"6441\" data-end=\"6532\"><li data-start=\"6441\" data-end=\"6461\"><p data-start=\"6443\" data-end=\"6461\">Greater accuracy<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"6462\" data-end=\"6482\"><p data-start=\"6464\" data-end=\"6482\">Stronger actions<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"6483\" data-end=\"6513\"><p data-start=\"6485\" data-end=\"6513\">Higher pressure capability<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"6514\" data-end=\"6532\"><p data-start=\"6516\" data-end=\"6532\">Superior range<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"6534\" data-end=\"6602\">These are still widely used today by hunters and precision shooters.<\/p><h5 data-start=\"6604\" data-end=\"6624\">Lever-Action<\/h5><p data-start=\"6625\" data-end=\"6703\">Became iconic in the American frontier era \u2014 fast-shooting and smooth cycling.<\/p><h5 data-start=\"6705\" data-end=\"6724\">Pump-Action<\/h5><p data-start=\"6725\" data-end=\"6784\">Ideal for shotguns, offering rapid cycling and reliability.<\/p><p data-start=\"6786\" data-end=\"6875\">These mechanical advancements are still relevant today on South African ranges and farms.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95f97a0 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"95f97a0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f679ba5 sc_height_small elementor-widget-divider--view-line sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"f679ba5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2891366 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2891366\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-87b36d6 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"87b36d6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0477c55 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0477c55\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Semi-Automatic &amp; Automatic Firearm Development<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e23b64c sc_height_tiny sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"e23b64c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e741980 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e741980\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"6942\" data-end=\"7023\">By the early 1900s, engineers perfected gas-operated and recoil-operated systems.<\/p><h5 data-start=\"7025\" data-end=\"7057\">Semi-Automatic Firearms:<\/h5><ul data-start=\"7058\" data-end=\"7135\"><li data-start=\"7058\" data-end=\"7094\"><p data-start=\"7060\" data-end=\"7094\">Fire one round per trigger press<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"7095\" data-end=\"7135\"><p data-start=\"7097\" data-end=\"7135\">Automatically chamber the next round<\/p><\/li><\/ul><h5 data-start=\"7137\" data-end=\"7164\">Automatic Firearms:<\/h5><ul data-start=\"7165\" data-end=\"7311\"><li data-start=\"7165\" data-end=\"7212\"><p data-start=\"7167\" data-end=\"7212\">Fire continuously while the trigger is held<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"7213\" data-end=\"7244\"><p data-start=\"7215\" data-end=\"7244\">Restricted for military use<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"7245\" data-end=\"7311\"><p data-start=\"7247\" data-end=\"7311\">Not available to civilian owners in South Africa under the FCA<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"7313\" data-end=\"7409\">Semi-automatic pistols and rifles became the global standard for both civilian and military use.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d632c2 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2d632c2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e243eca sc_height_small elementor-widget-divider--view-line sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"e243eca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-216bfe1 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"216bfe1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a11bda e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1a11bda\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-900d2f5 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"900d2f5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Modern Firearms: Precision, Materials &amp; Optics<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd746ca sc_height_tiny sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"dd746ca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52047e3 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"52047e3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"7477\" data-end=\"7503\">Modern firearms integrate:<\/p><ul data-start=\"7504\" data-end=\"7730\"><li data-start=\"7504\" data-end=\"7521\"><p data-start=\"7506\" data-end=\"7521\">CNC machining<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"7522\" data-end=\"7540\"><p data-start=\"7524\" data-end=\"7540\">Polymer frames<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"7541\" data-end=\"7564\"><p data-start=\"7543\" data-end=\"7564\">Advanced metallurgy<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"7565\" data-end=\"7629\"><p data-start=\"7567\" data-end=\"7629\">High-performance optics<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"7630\" data-end=\"7668\"><p data-start=\"7632\" data-end=\"7668\">Modular systems (Picatinny, M-LOK)<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"7669\" data-end=\"7699\"><p data-start=\"7671\" data-end=\"7699\">Improved recoil management<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"7700\" data-end=\"7730\"><p data-start=\"7702\" data-end=\"7730\">Suppressor-ready platforms<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"7732\" data-end=\"7777\">South Africans use these modern firearms for:<\/p><ul data-start=\"7778\" data-end=\"7875\"><li data-start=\"7778\" data-end=\"7794\"><p data-start=\"7780\" data-end=\"7794\">Self-defence<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"7795\" data-end=\"7806\"><p data-start=\"7797\" data-end=\"7806\">Hunting<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"7807\" data-end=\"7825\"><p data-start=\"7809\" data-end=\"7825\">Sport shooting<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"7826\" data-end=\"7847\"><p data-start=\"7828\" data-end=\"7847\">Conservation work<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"7848\" data-end=\"7875\"><p data-start=\"7850\" data-end=\"7875\">Agricultural protection<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"7877\" data-end=\"7956\">Firearms today are safer, more reliable, and more accurate than any in <em data-start=\"1517\" data-end=\"1534\">firearm history<\/em>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4453e89 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4453e89\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9a93003 sc_height_small elementor-widget-divider--view-line sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"9a93003\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19025d8 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"19025d8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f8aef9e e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f8aef9e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c63abe4 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c63abe4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Firearm History Influences South African Owners<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29efe02 sc_height_tiny sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"29efe02\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-169ae7f sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"169ae7f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"8029\" data-end=\"8072\">Understanding firearm history helps owners:<\/p><h5 data-start=\"8074\" data-end=\"8116\">Write stronger licence motivations<\/h5><p data-start=\"8117\" data-end=\"8156\">Show knowledge of your chosen platform.<\/p><h5 data-start=\"8158\" data-end=\"8200\">Make informed purchasing decisions<\/h5><p data-start=\"8201\" data-end=\"8265\">Know the difference between legacy and modern operating systems.<\/p><h5 data-start=\"8267\" data-end=\"8301\">Appreciate safety advances<\/h5><p data-start=\"8302\" data-end=\"8394\">Modern safeties, drop protection, and chamber indicators come from centuries of development.<\/p><h5 data-start=\"8396\" data-end=\"8439\">Select the correct licence category<\/h5><p data-start=\"8440\" data-end=\"8492\">Different firearm types suit different applications.<\/p><p data-start=\"8494\" data-end=\"8574\">Continue to <a href=\"https:\/\/gridlockarmsandoutdoor.co.za\/new\/pew-pew-portal\/licence-categories-south-africa\/\">Section 3 \u2013 Licence Categories.<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33e47dc e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"33e47dc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-56e10ce sc_height_small elementor-widget-divider--view-line sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"56e10ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe9eb6d e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"fe9eb6d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f41d4e0 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f41d4e0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd1043a sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"dd1043a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">External &amp; Internal Resources<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ceeed1c sc_height_tiny sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"ceeed1c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33f11c4 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"33f11c4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5 data-start=\"8625\" data-end=\"8652\"><strong data-start=\"8629\" data-end=\"8652\">External<\/strong><\/h5><p data-start=\"8655\" data-end=\"8689\">Britannica \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/technology\/firearm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">History of Firearms<\/a><\/p><p data-start=\"8692\" data-end=\"8731\">Royal Armouries \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/royalarmouries.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Firearm Development<\/a><\/p><p data-start=\"8734\" data-end=\"8772\">SA Government \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.za\/documents\/firearms-control-act\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Firearms Control Act<\/a><\/p><h5 data-start=\"8774\" data-end=\"8790\"><strong data-start=\"8778\" data-end=\"8790\">Internal<\/strong><\/h5><p data-start=\"8793\" data-end=\"8825\">Section 1 \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/gridlockarmsandoutdoor.co.za\/new\/pew-pew-portal\/what-is-a-firearm-south-africa\/\">What Is a Firearm?<\/a><\/p><p data-start=\"8793\" data-end=\"8825\">Section 3 \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/gridlockarmsandoutdoor.co.za\/new\/pew-pew-portal\/licence-categories-south-africa\/\">Licence Categories<\/a> (next section)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f8e2103 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f8e2103\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f5eea6 sc_height_small elementor-widget-divider--view-line sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"5f5eea6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5bf2060 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5bf2060\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a2e5944 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a2e5944\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a37bf8b sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a37bf8b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">References<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d7abab sc_height_tiny sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"5d7abab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe0c2c0 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fe0c2c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ol><li data-start=\"7434\" data-end=\"7521\"><p data-start=\"7437\" data-end=\"7521\">Encyclopaedia Britannica. \u201cFirearm.\u201d <a class=\"decorated-link cursor-pointer\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"7474\" data-end=\"7519\">https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/technology\/firearm<\/a><\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"7522\" data-end=\"7613\"><p data-start=\"7525\" data-end=\"7613\">Encyclopaedia Britannica. \u201cGunpowder.\u201d <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/technology\/gunpowder\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"7564\" data-end=\"7611\">https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/technology\/gunpowder<\/a><\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"7614\" data-end=\"7694\"><p data-start=\"7617\" data-end=\"7694\">Royal Armouries Museum. \u201cFirearms Collections.\u201d <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/royalarmouries.org\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"7665\" data-end=\"7692\">https:\/\/royalarmouries.org\/<\/a><\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"7695\" data-end=\"7786\"><p data-start=\"7698\" data-end=\"7786\">Encyclopaedia Britannica. \u201cFlintlock.\u201d <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/technology\/flintlock\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"7737\" data-end=\"7784\">https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/technology\/flintlock<\/a><\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"7787\" data-end=\"7929\"><p data-start=\"7790\" data-end=\"7929\">Smithsonian National Museum of American History. \u201cFirearms Collection.\u201d <a class=\"decorated-link cursor-pointer\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"7862\" data-end=\"7927\">https:\/\/americanhistory.si.edu\/collections\/object-groups\/firearms<\/a><\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"7930\" data-end=\"8034\"><p data-start=\"7933\" data-end=\"8034\">SA Government. \u201cFirearms Control Act 60 of 2000.\u201d <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.za\/documents\/firearms-control-act\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"7983\" data-end=\"8032\">https:\/\/www.gov.za\/documents\/firearms-control-act<\/a><\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"8035\" data-end=\"8108\"><p data-start=\"8038\" data-end=\"8108\">PFTC \u2013 Professional Firearm Training Council. <a class=\"decorated-link cursor-pointer\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"8084\" data-end=\"8106\">https:\/\/www.pftc.co.za<\/a><\/p><\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-66f425a e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"66f425a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac117df sc_height_small elementor-widget-divider--view-line sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"ac117df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f07814a e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f07814a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ae093dd e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ae093dd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7a5c7d sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b7a5c7d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Firearm History - Gun Timeline<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f07f08 sc_height_tiny sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"5f07f08\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88bb7cc sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"88bb7cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Historical timeline of the development of modern weapons starting at 1364 with the first recorded use of a firearm and ending in 1892 with the introduction of automatic handguns.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32f1ec4 sc_height_tiny sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"32f1ec4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec90deb e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ec90deb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-994e3ee e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"994e3ee\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d4c0859 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d4c0859\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/www-tc.pbs.org\/opb\/historydetectives\/static\/media\/images\/2011-04-18\/matchlock.jpg\" title=\"\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21e824f e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"21e824f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b16a385 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b16a385\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>1364 &#8211; First recorded use of a firearm.<br \/><\/strong><strong>1380 &#8211; Hand guns are known across Europe.<br \/><\/strong><strong>1400s &#8211; The matchlock gun appears.<\/strong><\/p><p>Before the matchlock, guns were fired by holding a burning wick to a &#8220;touch hole&#8221; in the barrel igniting the powder inside. A shooter uses one hand for firing, and a prop to steady the gun.The first device, or &#8220;lock,&#8221; for mechanically firing a gun is the matchlock. Powder is held in a &#8220;flash pan,&#8221; and ignited by a wick, or match, in a movable clamp. Both hands remain on the gun, vastly improving aim. Early matchlock guns are extremely rare. The matchlock shown here was made around 1640, and is typical of the muskets used by militia in Colonial America.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c227ec e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3c227ec\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b20fb2c e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b20fb2c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-56bc27b sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"56bc27b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/www-tc.pbs.org\/opb\/historydetectives\/static\/media\/images\/2011-04-18\/wheellock.jpg\" title=\"\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aad21c9 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"aad21c9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-320e9d9 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"320e9d9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>1498 &#8211; Rifling principle is discovered.<br \/><\/strong><strong>1509 &#8211; Invention of wheel lock (rose lock).\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><p>The next major advance, the wheel lock, generates a spark mechanically. With no wick to keep lit, the wheel lock is easier to use, and more reliable than the matchlock. However, wheel locks are expensive to produce. Matchlocks, at half the cost, remain in common use. This is an early (ca. 1540) multi-shot, wheel-lock pistol, made for Emperor Charles V. In this weapon, two locks are combined in one mechanism, to give each barrel separate ignition.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c93ec2 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6c93ec2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2cc25d3 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2cc25d3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e08941 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4e08941\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/www-tc.pbs.org\/opb\/historydetectives\/static\/media\/images\/2011-04-18\/flintlock.jpg\" title=\"\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c147814 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c147814\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d562dc sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6d562dc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>1540 &#8211; Rifling appears in firearms.<br \/><\/strong><strong>1607 &#8211; Settlers arrive in Jamestown, Virginia.<br \/><\/strong><strong>1630 &#8211; The first true flintlock.<\/strong><\/p><p>The flintlock solved a longstanding problem. Some time in the late 1500s, a lid was added to the flash pan design. To expose or protect the powder, the lid had to be moved manually. The flintlock mechanism was designed to push back the lid and spark a flint at the same time.\u00a0The flintlock ignition system reigned for two centuries, with virtually no alteration. The flintlock pictured here is a typical British &#8220;Brown Bess&#8221; musket. Marks on the gun indicate that it was used by German mercenaries during the American Revolution.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-376edc6 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"376edc6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e61cc27 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e61cc27\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-441df32 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"441df32\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/www-tc.pbs.org\/opb\/historydetectives\/static\/media\/images\/2011-04-18\/dueling.jpg\" title=\"\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3245bd2 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3245bd2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-066190e sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"066190e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>1637 &#8211; First use of firearms proof-marks.<br \/><\/strong><strong>1750-1850 &#8211; Dueling pistols come into fashion<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p><p>Around 1750, men stop carrying rapiers, and guns became the weapon of choice for a duel. Various guns were used, until a true dueling pistol was officially standardized in 1777, as &#8220;a 9 or 10 inch barreled, smooth bore flintlock of 1 inch bore, carrying a ball of 48 to the pound.&#8221; Often lavishly decorated, the pistols are made until dueling falls out of favor in the mid-1800s. This pair of 1786 flintlock pistols was made with ivory stocks and unusually elaborate decorative details.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bfc72e3 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bfc72e3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e657ecb e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e657ecb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-349a0ed sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"349a0ed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/www-tc.pbs.org\/opb\/historydetectives\/static\/media\/images\/2011-04-18\/revolver.jpg\" title=\"\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c1ec322 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c1ec322\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc68047 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cc68047\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>1776 &#8211; American Revolution.<br \/><\/strong><strong>1807 &#8211; Percussion-detonating principle patented.<br \/><\/strong><strong>1825 ca. &#8211; Percussion-cap guns are in general use.<br \/><\/strong><strong>1830 &#8211; The back action lock appears.<br \/><\/strong><strong>1835 &#8211; The first Colt revolver.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p><p>Samuel Colt developed the first mass-produced, multi-shot, revolving firearms. Various revolving designs had been around for centuries, but precision parts couldn&#8217;t be made with available technologies. Colt was the first to apply Industrial Age machining tools to the idea. Mass production made the guns affordable. Reliability and accuracy made the Colt a favorite of soldiers and frontiersmen. The Colt depicted is a Third Model Dragoon percussion revolver (ca. 1853). A Colt with such lavish decoration and gold inlay is extremely rare.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19c883b e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"19c883b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a185f46 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a185f46\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ceb0dee sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ceb0dee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/www-tc.pbs.org\/opb\/historydetectives\/static\/media\/images\/2011-04-18\/shotgun.jpg\" title=\"\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a57be0 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6a57be0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cbd330d sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cbd330d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>1840 &#8211; Guns begin to use pin-fire cartridges.<br \/><\/strong><strong>1847 &#8211; The telegraph is invented.<br \/><\/strong><strong>1<\/strong><strong>850 &#8211; True shotguns in common use<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p><p>In the second half of the 18th century, musket design branched out. This period produced a number of single-purpose firearms. The forerunner of modern shotguns was the fowling piece, developed specifically for hunting birds. Among the upper classes, fowling was a leisure sport. Fowling pieces for the very affluent were often lovely works of art, but impractical for hunting.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-280f646 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"280f646\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f29e46 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6f29e46\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe479d7 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"fe479d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/www-tc.pbs.org\/opb\/historydetectives\/static\/media\/images\/2011-04-18\/carbine.jpg\" title=\"\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a33a7b e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4a33a7b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d5807f sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4d5807f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>1854-56 &#8211; The Crimean War.\u00a0<\/strong>The last war to use only muzzle-loaded guns.<br \/><strong>1859 &#8211; The first full rim-fire cartridge.<br \/><\/strong><strong>1860 &#8211; Spencer repeating carbine patented<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p><p>Introduced at the start of the Civil War, Spencer repeating guns were technically advanced, used cartridges (a recent development), and could fire 7 shots in 15 seconds. But the Army didn&#8217;t want a repeating gun, fearing that soldiers would fire more often, constantly need fresh ammunition, and overtax the supply system. But in 1863, President Lincoln test-fired a Spencer.\u00a0His approval led to the purchase of 107,372 Spencer repeating carbines and rifles (of 144,500 made), and the Spencer became the principal repeating gun of the Civil War.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f1babd2 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f1babd2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ecae96 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4ecae96\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c34f2ef sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c34f2ef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/www-tc.pbs.org\/opb\/historydetectives\/static\/media\/images\/2011-04-18\/winchester.jpg\" title=\"\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-173be33 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"173be33\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-efe9207 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"efe9207\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>1861 &#8211; Breech loaded guns in common use.<br \/><\/strong><strong>1861-1865 &#8211; American Civil War.<\/strong>\u00a0Both breech and muzzle loaded guns used.<br \/><strong>1862 &#8211; The Gatling Gun is invented.<br \/><\/strong><strong>1869 &#8211; Center-fire cartridge introduced.<br \/><\/strong><strong>1870-1871- The Franco-German War<\/strong>. Breach-loaded guns are dominant.<br \/><strong>1871 &#8211; First cartridge revolver.<br \/><\/strong><strong>1873 &#8211; Winchester rifle introduced.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p><p>Winchester rifles were affordable, and produced in such great numbers, that the Winchester became the generic rifle. The Winchester had such a powerful hold in some regions that it actually became known as &#8220;the gun that won the West.&#8221; In 1887, Winchester came out with their first repeating shotguns. The next major milestone for Winchester came in 1903, when the company introduced the first automatic rifle that would become widely used.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d534eef e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d534eef\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b17774 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4b17774\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9d90c8 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d9d90c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/www-tc.pbs.org\/opb\/historydetectives\/static\/media\/images\/2011-04-18\/handgun.jpg\" title=\"\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f8cb15 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3f8cb15\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7fdf3d3 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7fdf3d3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>1876 &#8211; Custer defeated at Little Big Horn.<br \/><\/strong><strong>1877 &#8211; First effective double-action revolver.<br \/><\/strong><strong>1879 &#8211; Lee box magazine patented.<br \/><\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>1892- Advent of automatic handguns.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><p>The first automatic pistol was created by Joseph Laumann in 1892. But the Borchardt pistol of 1893 was the first automatic with a separate magazine in the grip, and this remains the defining feature of the breed.\u00a0More automatics came in rapid succession, including Browning, Luger, Mauser, and Colt models. By the turn of the century, just 8 years after Laumann, automatics were firmly established.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14438c6 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"14438c6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b131005 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b131005\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1963362 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1963362\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>1900 &#8211; Historical firearms period concludes.\u00a0<\/strong>Contemporary period begins, the evolution of firearms.<\/p><p>Source: History Detectives<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/opb\/historydetectives\/technique\/gun-timeline\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/opb\/historydetectives\/technique\/gun-timeline\/<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f6268f e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4f6268f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ccafcc sc_height_small elementor-widget-divider--view-line sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"4ccafcc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31b4451 e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"31b4451\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a6c891 e-con-full e-flex sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6a6c891\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d392a6 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6d392a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Next: Licence Categories (Section 3)<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-134b2a2 sc_height_tiny sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"134b2a2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de2a454 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"de2a454\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"8940\" data-end=\"9106\">Now that you understand <em data-start=\"8964\" data-end=\"8990\">where firearms come from<\/em>, the next step is learning <strong data-start=\"9018\" data-end=\"9059\">how South African law classifies them<\/strong> \u2014 and what licence types are available to you.<\/p><p data-start=\"9108\" data-end=\"9138\">In Section 3, you\u2019ll discover:<\/p><p data-start=\"9140\" data-end=\"9332\">\ud83d\udd25 The difference between S13, S15, and S16<br data-start=\"9183\" data-end=\"9186\" \/>\ud83d\udd25 Which licence category YOU qualify for<br data-start=\"9227\" data-end=\"9230\" \/>\ud83d\udd25 How intended use affects your application<br data-start=\"9274\" data-end=\"9277\" \/>\ud83d\udd25 Why choosing the wrong category leads to rejection<\/p><p data-start=\"9334\" data-end=\"9389\">\ud83d\udc49 <strong data-start=\"9337\" data-end=\"9389\">Continue Reading: Section 3 \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/gridlockarmsandoutdoor.co.za\/new\/pew-pew-portal\/licence-categories-south-africa\/\">Licence Categories<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5092f2b e-flex e-con-boxed sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5092f2b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8cdb2cb sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-navigation\" data-id=\"8cdb2cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-navigation.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation\" role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Post Navigation\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation__prev elementor-post-navigation__link\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/gridlockarmsandoutdoor.co.za\/new\/pew-pew-portal\/what-is-a-firearm-south-africa\/\" 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