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Medieval handgunner fires his matchlock musket
The matchlock musket was the earliest type of handgun (or handgonne), orginally called the arquebus, dating back to the 15th century. Powder is poured into barrel, followed by dampened wadding then leadshot and finally powder in the pan. A cord or match is used to ignite powder in the pan. A 'flash in the pan' is when this ignites and flashes without firing the musket ball or leadshot.
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Photo credit: © Adrian Buck / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: Yes
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