Have you ever stopped to wonder where and how the first guns were invented and used? Well, since this article is all about firearms, I decided to look into it.
I found out that the first recorded use of a gun was a rifle used in 1364, and the historic period lasted with important revisions until 1892. The first guns were fired, literally by holding a burning wick to a "touch hole" in the barrel, lighting the powder inside. The shooter would use one hand for firing, and a prop to hold the gun steady. The first device, or "lock" for mechanically firing a gun was called a "Matchlock" which appeared in the early 1400's. In this rendition, the powder was held in the "flash pan" and ignited by a match in a movable clamp. Both hands remained on the gun, vastly improving the aim.
In 1498, the "rifling" principal was discovered, and the invention of the "wheel lock" became the next major advance in design. With no wick to keep lit, the wheel lock generated a spark mechanically, making it much easier to use. It was also much more expensive to produce, so the matchlock remained in common use. In about 1540, the rifling principle began to be used in firearms. This was also about the time that the double barreled shotgun was invented.
In 1630 the first true flintlock was designed. Sometime in the late 1500s, a lid had been added to the flash pan design. To expose the powder, the lid had to be moved manually. The flintlock mechanism was designed to push back the lid, and spark a flint at the same time. This became very popular, and the design was unaltered for about 200 years with no alterations.
In 1835, Samuel Colt developed the first mass produced, multi shot, revolving firearms. Even though various revolving designs had been around for centuries, precision parts couldn't be made with the current technologies. Once Colt applied the new machining tools to the idea, mass production was possible, and by 1850, true shotguns were in common use. The musket design was popular, but the Spencer came along as a repeating rifle and took over as a weapon of war. The Gatling gun was invented in 1862, the first cartridge revolver was introduced in 1871, and the Winchester was born in 1873. In 1892, the automatic hand guns were created, and many companies began mass production. The Historical period was concluded in 1900.
So there you have a brief history of the firearm evolution!
Now, if you are interested in guns, and the history and use of them in America, I have a special treat for you. Located in Dodge Center in the old Wells Fargo Bank building at 18 Second Street SW, is B & L Gun Shop. I was able to meet with Bud Sanson to see his extensive inventory of all things guns, and a lot more!
Bud started his gun shop about 10 years ago in a shed on his Dodge Center property. About 5 years ago, he purchased the Bank building, and 18 months ago, moved his shop into town. In the shop you will find not only firearms of all sorts, but he carries ammunition that is both current and obsolete, safety vests, bow hunting equipment, deer stands, laser engraving, Cerakote applications, military guns, antiques, military artillery shells, silencers, bayonets, and so much more! He has taxidermized animals for sale, with stories to go with them. A Master Gunsmith is on duty to repair or specialize your gun, and they do special orders for weapons and ammo. The shop specializes in long range shooting rifles, ammo and scopes. They also build muzzle loaders for hunting enthusiasts.
A true enthusiast himself, Bud has had hunting trips all over the world, and has quite the collection of trophy animals from Africa, Alaska, Canada and South America. He worked on the pipelines all over the globe, and was able to hunt wherever he was working. He is also an avid fisherman, and likes to swap "fish stories" with his customers.
Some of his activities in the community include teaching Conceal and Carry classes twice a month, and selling raffle tickets and supplying firearms for fundraisers in the community. He participates in gun shows in Rochester, Wykoff and Wells, and sells passes for the Dodge Center Gun Club just outside of town.
You can reach Bud at (507) 269-7967, or stop in and check out his shop Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm.
His website is XSteel Targets, or you can email him with questions at budsanson@hotmail.com. When I asked Bud what he would like to leave us with, he replied, " Buy local, and support your local businesses." So find some time to stop in and see all that B & L has to offer! It's definitely worth stopping by!
