• flueterflam@lemmy.world
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      5 hours ago

      While not thoroughly informed on gun evolution, definitely agree! They were clearly used in the 1500s onward, at least for European usage. 1806 simply marks a year of notable military pistol production (like the Harpers Ferry model) although maybe others?

      • Hapankaali@lemmy.world
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        12 minutes ago

        People who watched the historical documentary Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 know the pistol was first widely used in Europe in the early 15th Century - in fact, “pistol” is possibly a Czech loan word. However, it was introduced from China, where it was invented in the 12th Century.

    • comador @lemmy.world
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      6 hours ago

      I immediately thought of 15th century hand cannons and had a ‘hmmm’ moment myself. Not even sure those were the first.