Small Arms
Further information: Rifle Left image: Jean Lepage silex carbine said "du Premier Consul", circa 1800.Right image: Rifling of Lepage carbine.
The first rifles were muzzle-loading, although this involved a lot of complication in inserting the bullet past the rifling, and clogging and cleaning problems were notorious. There are also muzzle-loading pistols and shotguns. These have gradually given way to firearms that use alternate methods of inserting a projectile into the barrel.
Read more about this topic: Muzzle-loading Rifle
Famous quotes containing the words small and/or arms:
“Genius as an explosive power beats gunpowder hollow; and if knowledge, which should give that power guidance, is wanting, the chances are not small that the rocket will simply run amuck among friends and foes.”
—Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–95)
“... last night, to let you toss alone,
When from your arms I kept my cold desire.”
—Allen Tate (1899–1979)