Handgonne

By Crusader1307

An early form of (primitive) Firearm - The Handgonne (Old English pronunciation), was seen around the 15th Century. The weapon was carried by frontline Soldiers and was seen as a counter to heavily Armored Knight. The Device shot a leaden, spherical shot to roughly 25 to 45-feet. The Handgonne could damage a Knight and well even kill a Soldier who was in Mail or Unarmored. In design, The Handgonne was constructed of (2) components. The first, a solid wooden shaft - was 2.5 to 3-feet long. Attached to the end, was a 2-foot long hollowed metal Tube (resembling very much as a miniature Cannon barrel). At the top rear of the Tube, was a Hole/Opening called a Vent. Gunpowder was loaded into the Tube, into which was placed a leaden shot (roughly equivalent to a .75 Caliber Round). The Handgonner carried a "Slow Match" or smoldering piece of Hemp. This heat source was applied to the Vent - which propelled the leaden shot towards an Enemy. Prey to poor weather conditions (damp and rain), The Handgonne malfunctioned more that functioned properly. Still, it served as the first step in the rapidly advancing lineage in firearms technology.