Musket and Rifle: Part I

T.H. McGuffe describes the history of fire-arms, from the fourteenth century onwards, considering their uses and effectiveness  in war, in sport, and for display.

The rifle issued to British troops today is the F.N. (Fabrique Nationale) Type B automatic, in the standard United Nations calibre of .300; it is gas-operated, with a piston housing, an optical backsight and a quickly replaced magazine carrying twenty rounds. This weapon, of great accuracy and rugged construction, is the most recent successor of the early handguns, matchlocks, wheel-locks, snaphaunces, flint-locks, smoothbores, rifles, percussion and other explosive infantry arms that history has seen employed in battle.

To continue reading this article you need to purchase a subscription, available from only £5.

Start my trial subscription now

If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.

Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.