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European handgonne

Type Object Region Europe Time c. 1390–1500

The European handgonne was an early handheld gunpowder weapon appearing in Western and Central Europe in the early 15th century, typically a smoothbo…

Timeline

  1. c. 1390–1415Low Countries and German lands · RhinelandBlacksmith workshops forged short iron-tube handgonnes, supported by a wooden stock and fired by hand, initially used mainly for city defense and experimental equipment, limited in number and dangerous to operate.
  2. 1421–1430Central European battlefields · Central EuropeIn the 1420s handgonnes began to be deployed with infantry squads in conflicts such as the Hussite Wars, used for close-range bombardment and psychological shock; though unable to replace bows and pikes, arsenals of various states began registering and purchasing them.
  3. c. 1450–1500European states · EuropeHandgonnes gradually acquired a serpentine and trigger mechanism, evolving into matchlocks; barrels were lengthened, rear sights introduced, loading and firing procedures standardized, and infantry firearm establishments expanded significantly.

Sources