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Early Gunpowder Weapons
Early gunpowder weapons were arms propelled or exploded by black powder, including hand cannons, cannon, and rockets, originating in 9th–10th century…
Timeline
- c. 900–1100China · ChinaRecords of black powder formulas appeared in China in the 9th–10th centuries; during the Northern Song, rockets, fireballs, and early tube-shaped firearms were used in city defense and field battles, laying the foundation of gunpowder weapon technology.
- 1271–1400Dadu (Beijing) · ChinaArsenals of the Yuan dynasty and early Ming developed metal tube hand cannons and bowl-mouthed cannons; under the guard-post system firearms became standard Ming army equipment, with casting techniques improved through accumulated Yuan-Ming war experience.
- 1401–1410Beijing · Ming dynastyBetween 1401 and 1410, arsenals of the Ming Yongle era continuously mass-produced bowl-mouthed and large cannons for the Shenjiying and northern campaigns against the Mongols; meanwhile gunpowder technology spread westward via Eurasian trade and war, and places like the Ottoman Empire began equipping early cannon.
Sources
- Science and Civilisation in China, Volume 5, Part 7: Military Technology: The Gunpowder Epic — Joseph Needham (1986)
- The Cambridge History of China, Volume 7: The Ming Dynasty, 1368–1644, Part 1 — Frederick W. Mote and Denis Twitchett (1988)