ballistic

John Moses Browning's Patents

He developed 128 gun patents during his career.

Tokarev Pistol Designer

Fedor Tokarev designed the Tokarev pistol for Soviet forces.

Distinction of Rifled-bore Firearms

Rifled-bore firearms have internal barrel riflings, unlike smooth-bore firearms.

Legally Equivalent Firearm Component

The frame or receiver is considered legally equivalent to the entire weapon.

Alexander Forsyth's Problem to Solve

He sought to minimize hang-fire during duck hunting with his percussion ignition invention.

Early Gunpowder Use in Warfare

Berthold Schwartz is credited with applying gunpowder to propel missiles in the early 1300s.

Direct Pressure Firearm Operation

Blowback Operated firearms rely on the direct pressure of the cartridge case to actuate the mechanism.

Father of Forensic Ballistics

Col. Calvin Goddard is known as the father of forensic ballistics.

Earliest Recorded Use of Firearms

The Battle of Crécy in 1346 marks one of the earliest recorded uses of firearms in warfare.

Early Firearm Technological Challenge

Accuracy was a primary struggle for early firearms.

Earliest Ignition Mechanism

The matchlock was the earliest form of ignition mechanism in firearms.

First Gas-operated Machine Gun

John Moses Browning developed the first gas-operated machine gun.

Field Investigation in Forensic Ballistics

Field investigation primarily entails crime scene examination.

FBI Definition of a Firearm

A firearm is defined by its gas-propelled projectile mechanism.

Key Transformation in Firearms

The standardization of metal cartridges fundamentally transformed portable weaponry.

Forsyth's Ignition Chemical

Mercury fulminate was used in Forsyth's percussion ignition system.

Browning's Autoloading Innovation

Browning innovated the slide design in autoloading pistols.

Blowback Control Mechanism

In blowback-operated firearms, spring tension prevents the cartridge case from returning during peak pressure.

Gatling's Innovation

Richard J. Gatling introduced the six-barreled gun that could fire 200 rounds per minute.

Exterior Ballistics Stages

The three stages are launch, midpoint, and descent of a bullet’s trajectory.

Small Arms vs Artillery

Small arms are distinguished by having a projectile diameter of less than one inch.

Goddard's Forensic Contribution

Col. Calvin Goddard introduced the comparison microscope for firearm investigations.

Terminal Ballistics vs Exterior Ballistics

Terminal ballistics studies projectile impact effects, while exterior ballistics focuses on bullet trajectory.

Delayed Blowback Mechanism

The delayed blowback mechanism features mechanical delay preventing rapid breechblock movement.

Elisha King Root's Innovation

Elisha King Root is credited with inventing the drop hammer in firearms.

Predecessor to the Percussion System

The flintlock system preceded the percussion system in firearm development.

First Automatic Handgun

Joseph Laumann designed the first automatic handgun in 1892.

Short Recoil Mechanism Characteristic

In short recoil systems, the breechblock remains locked during high pressure.

Buckshot vs Birdshot Distinction

Buckshot is characterized by larger projectile size and quantity compared to birdshot.

Predecessor of the Centerfire System

The rimfire system preceded the centerfire system in firearm technology.

Motivation Behind Silencer Invention

The primary motivation was noise reduction.

Partner of Oliver Winchester

Horace Smith partnered with Oliver Winchester in early firearm companies.

Common Component Among Firearms

All revolvers, pistols, rifles, and shotguns share a barrel assembly as a common component.

Designer of the AK-47

Mikhail Kalashnikov designed the AK-47.

1866 Small-Caliber Automatic Pistol Designer

Carl Walther developed a reliable small caliber automatic pistol.

First Fully Automatic Gun and Silencer Inventor

Hiram Maxim is credited with inventing the first fully automatic gun and silencer.

9mm Parabellum Designer

Georg Luger designed the 9mm Parabellum cartridge.

Contact Discharge Wound Characteristic

A contact discharge wound occurs when the weapon is pressed directly against the skin.

Gauge in Shotgun Terminology

Gauge represents the ratio of lead ball weight to a pound.

Long vs Short Recoil Distinction

Long recoil involves both barrel and bolt recoiling farther than the cartridge length.