History of Firearms Quiz

[Vrylakas]

By popular demand, a history quiz on the development of firearms in history:

1. What was "Greek Fire" made of?

2. When and where were firearms probably first used?

3. What is the first evidence in Europe of firearms, and when?

4. How were the first firearms in Europe used for centuries before diversifying?

5. When Mohammed II beseiged Constantinople in 1453, he used artillery to batter the thick Byzantine walls. What was unusual about the Ottoman artillery?

6. The Mamluks had broad access to firearms but when the Ottomans beseiged their fortresses in Syria in 1517, there was no artillery to oppose the Turks. Why?

7. At the same time, however, a descendant of Turkish slaves (father's side) and Mongol warriors (mother's side) named Babur had no problems with using firearms. He captured Kabul in 1504 (see - it can be done!), and he used artillery extensively in a huge battle at Panipat in 1526, defeating a confederation of princes and founding a new empire in the process. What empire was this?

8. What was unique about the Nagahama matchlock firearms production center from the late 16th century until the mid-19th century that wouyld have made Tokugawa Ieyasu proud?

9. What major innovation in firearms technology did Charles VIII's France introduce in 1494?

10. Can you put these European hand-held firearms' types into correct chronological order?

A. flintlock
B. percussion
C. Snaphaunce
D. wheellock
E. matchlock

11. There was a major innovation in firearms technology in the mid-16th century based on the concept of the fletch of arrows, but it didn't really have an impact until the 18th century, and even then most countries didn't adopt it until the mid-19th century, and even then again strategies and tactics didn't catch up until the 1914-18 war. What was it?

12. The towns of Springfield, MA and Harpers Ferry, VA in the U.S. share a common distinction dating from the American Revolution. What is it?

13. In 1838, a Swissman (Johannes Samuel Pauly) and a Prussian (Johann Nikolaus von Dreyse) gave the world of firearms several new innovations, though they really were improving old ideas. Can you name the 3 innovations they combined?

14. Peter Mauser perfected a mechanism for firearms that was so stable and solid in the late 19th century that it was licensed for production throughout Europe, and is still used today in most sporting firearms and some military. What was it?

15. Emil von Skoda founded the Skoda Werke, the principal arms manufacturer for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. What's the Skoda factory producing nowadays?

16. What does Ludwig Obry's gyroscope, patented in 1895, have to do with firearms?

17. In the Spanish-American War (1898-1901), the Americans fighting in Cuba with their bizarre "side-trap" Krag-Jorgenson rifles were at a distinct technological disadvantage against the Spanish and their Spanish-made Mausers. What was that disadvantage?

18. Can you tell me what countries produced the following assault rifles for World War II:

A. M-1 Garand
B. Lee-Enfield
C. Mannlicher-Carcano
D. Moisen-Nagant
E. Meiji
F. The Ross Rifle
G. Thompson submachine gun
H. Mauser
I. MKb-42
J. Lebel Rifle
K. B.A.R.
L. M3A1

19. Avtomat' kalashnikov Sorok-sjem: Whazzat?

20. In the middle of the Vietnam War the U.S. introduced a new series of assault weapons, though this was unpopular with the soldiers. What was this series' weapon?

21. The Thompson submachine gun, the AK-47 and the M-1 Garand all have different types of magazines. Can you name them?

Good luck folks!

 

[Sodak]

1) Nobody knows for sure, iirc. Altho plenty of speculation abounds, nobody has been able to brew the stuff for ages. To clarify, it was a mix of chemicals that ignited upon contact with air. A hose was used to pump them from vats into a stream that was aimed at unfortunate enemies.

12) Both were munitions armories, n'est-ce pas?

19) A semi-automatic rifle

 

[Vrylakas]

Sodak's reply:

1) Nobody knows for sure, iirc. Altho plenty of speculation abounds, nobody has been able to brew the stuff for ages. To clarify, it was a mix of chemicals that ignited upon contact with air. A hose was used to pump them from vats into a stream that was aimed at unfortunate enemies.

Yes! Exactly. Current thinking has it that Greek Fire was a sort of liquid naptha, but we still can't explain all its effects.

12) Both were munitions armories, n'est-ce pas?

Oui! These were the first official gun manufacturers and armories in the United States.

19) A semi-automatic rifle

Hmmmm, I need something more specific.

Excellent run Sodak!

 

[Case]

Wow, another great set of questions Vrylakas

1. What was "Greek Fire" made of?

Napalm, or something very similar

2. When and where were firearms probably first used?

China, but I don't know when

5. When Mohammed II beseiged Constantinople in 1453, he used artillery to batter the thick Byzantine walls. What was unusual about the Ottoman artillery?

Was it rifled?

11. There was a major innovation in firearms technology in the mid-16th century based on the concept of the fletch of arrows, but it didn't really have an impact until the 18th century, and even then most countries didn't adopt it until the mid-19th century, and even then again strategies and tactics didn't catch up until the 1914-18 war. What was it?

The single barreled machine gun.

12. The towns of Springfield, MA and Harpers Ferry, VA in the U.S. share a common distinction dating from the American Revolution. What is it?

They were federal armouries and centres of weapons manufacture

15. Emil von Skoda founded the Skoda Werke, the principal arms manufacturer for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. What's the Skoda factory producing nowadays?

Cars?

18. Can you tell me what countries produced the following assault rifles for World War II:

A. M-1 Garand - USA
B. Lee-Enfield - British Commonwealth nations
C. Mannlicher-Carcano - Italy
D. Moisen-Nagant - ?
E. Meiji - Japan
F. The Ross Rifle - ? (Canada perhaps?)
G. Thompson submachine gun - USA
H. Mauser - Germany
I. MKb-42 - Germany
J. Lebel Rifle - ?
K. B.A.R. - USA
L. M3A1 - USA

19. Avtomat' kalashnikov Sorok-sjem: Whazzat?

The company which originally made the AK-47 rifle?

20. In the middle of the Vietnam War the U.S. introduced a new series of assault weapons, though this was unpopular with the soldiers. What was this series' weapon?

The M-16 and M-60. Both were oringinally terrible weapons (I've read account of entire platoons being over-run and killed due to thier weapons jamming)

 

[Knight-Dragon]

1. What was "Greek Fire" made of?

Like you said, nobody is really sure since the secret died out with the Byzantines but the Byzantine navy used it with great effect against the Arabs and like.

2. When and where were firearms probably first used?

In Europe, sometime in the 13th century. The Chinese mostly used it in the form of rockets and fireworks.

3. What is the first evidence in Europe of firearms, and when?

Cannons made in bell foundries. Shaped sort of like church bells cos made by the same smiths. Evidenced during the siege of a medieval castle somewhere in France (?). Sometime in the 13th century.

4. How were the first firearms in Europe used for centuries before diversifying?

Used as artillery pieces, before being miniaturized to be handheld?

5. When Mohammed II beseiged Constantinople in 1453, he used artillery to batter the thick Byzantine walls. What was unusual about the Ottoman artillery?

Made by Western smiths?

6. The Mamluks had broad access to firearms but when the Ottomans beseiged their fortresses in Syria in 1517, there was no artillery to oppose the Turks. Why?

Military doctrine & training. The Mamluks disdained the use of firearms in warfare cos they believed in their superiority as a military class. Besides they were cavalrymen at heart.

7. At the same time, however, a descendant of Turkish slaves (father's side) and Mongol warriors (mother's side) named Babur had no problems with using firearms. He captured Kabul in 1504 (see - it can be done!), and he used artillery extensively in a huge battle at Panipat in 1526, defeating a confederation of princes and founding a new empire in the process. What empire was this?

The Mughal Empire in India of coz.

8. What was unique about the Nagahama matchlock firearms production center from the late 16th century until the mid-19th century that wouyld have made Tokugawa Ieyasu proud?

Totally ran by Japanese? So with all the designs, with world-class quality?

9. What major innovation in firearms technology did Charles VIII's France introduce in 1494?

Muskets?

10. Can you put these European hand-held firearms' types into correct chronological order?

A. flintlock (2)
B. percussion (4) Surely the latest
C. Snaphaunce - Dunno
D. wheellock (3)
E. matchlock (1)

14. Peter Mauser perfected a mechanism for firearms that was so stable and solid in the late 19th century that it was licensed for production throughout Europe, and is still used today in most sporting firearms and some military. What was it?

Rifled barrels?

 

[Vrylakas]

Case wrote:

Wow, another great set of questions Vrylakas

Thanks Case - these are surprisingly fun.

1. What was "Greek Fire" made of?

Napalm, or something very similar

Sodak got this one right; simply said, we don't know. There've been many experiments to figure out exactly what it was (and as I mentioned current thinking says that it must have been some kind of liquid naptha) but so far, no dice.

2. When and where were firearms probably first used?

China, but I don't know when

Right! - at least the first part. The "when" is tricky because medieval Chinese scholars tried to confuse the issue a bit.

5. When Mohammed II beseiged Constantinople in 1453, he used artillery to batter the thick Byzantine walls. What was unusual about the Ottoman artillery?

Was it rifled?

No, but good try.

11. There was a major innovation in firearms technology in the mid-16th century based on the concept of the fletch of arrows, but it didn't really have an impact until the 18th century, and even then most countries didn't adopt it until the mid-19th century, and even then again strategies and tactics didn't catch up until the 1914-18 war. What was it?

The single barreled machine gun.

No.

12. The towns of Springfield, MA and Harpers Ferry, VA in the U.S. share a common distinction dating from the American Revolution. What is it?

They were federal armouries and centres of weapons manufacture

Yes! The first official firearms production centers and armories in the U.S. Until these two sites were commissioned, Americans relied either on handcraft-made guns (usually by German immigrants) or they bought them from Europe.

15. Emil von Skoda founded the Skoda Werke, the principal arms manufacturer for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. What's the Skoda factory producing nowadays?

Cars?

Yes! I thought Europeans would pounce on this one because Skoda cars (made in the modern Czech Republic) are all over the place. I know the English tell jokes about Skoda cars, but for trhose of us used to Ladas, Trabants, Dacias and Polski Fiats the Skoda was a virtual luxury car!

18. Can you tell me what countries produced the following assault rifles for World War II:

A. M-1 Garand - USA Yes!
B. Lee-Enfield - British Commonwealth nations Yes!
C. Mannlicher-Carcano - Italy Yes!
D. Moisen-Nagant - ?
E. Meiji - Japan Yes!
F. The Ross Rifle - ? (Canada perhaps?) Yes! Another type of Enfield design made in Canada.
G. Thompson submachine gun - USA Yes!
H. Mauser - Germany Yes!
I. MKb-42 - Germany Yes!
J. Lebel Rifle - ?
K. B.A.R. - USA Yes!
L. M3A1 - USA Yes!

Good show Case! Only D and J left for that one!

19. Avtomat' kalashnikov Sorok-sjem: Whazzat?

The company which originally made the AK-47 rifle?

Close enough! That's Russian for the AK-47. "Sorok-sjem" means "47". The translation is simply "The Automatic Kalashnikov - 47".

20. In the middle of the Vietnam War the U.S. introduced a new series of assault weapons, though this was unpopular with the soldiers. What was this series' weapon?

The M-16 and M-60. Both were oringinally terrible weapons (I've read account of entire platoons being over-run and killed due to thier weapons jamming)

Yes! The U.S. introduced the Armalite series with the M-16 and M-60 during the Vietnam War, both of which initially were very sensitive to dirt and weathering - something a soldier in pitch battle does not need. Many stories have circulated of soldiers ditching their M-16s in favor of their old wooden-stock M-14s, the final descendant of the old M-1 Garand.

Good job Case! You cleaned out a lot of questions!

 

[Vrylakas]

Answers by Knight-Dragon:

1. What was "Greek Fire" made of?

Like you said, nobody is really sure since the secret died out with the Byzantines but the Byzantine navy used it with great effect against the Arabs and like.

Yup.

2. When and where were firearms probably first used?

In Europe, sometime in the 13th century. The Chinese mostly used it in the form of rockets and fireworks.

Close call on that one. The Chinese did use firearms before Europeans, though blackpowder was known to them for centuries before and used in ceremonies. The initial Chinese firearms came in the form of a bamboo barrel. I would not want to be around when that thing fired its tenth shot... 1/2 point on this one.

3. What is the first evidence in Europe of firearms, and when?

Cannons made in bell foundries. Shaped sort of like church bells cos made by the same smiths. Evidenced during the siege of a medieval castle somewhere in France (?). Sometime in the 13th century.

Mostly right on this one. Yes, the first firearms were cannons which were adapted from a type of flaming arrow projectile used by the Arabs and Persians. They also, as you say, were most probably forged in bell foundries - we suspect that because of their early shapes. You're just a little off on the date; the first manuscript describing such a cannon was Walter de Milemete in 1326. Good job on this one, Knight-Dragon!

4. How were the first firearms in Europe used for centuries before diversifying?

Used as artillery pieces, before being miniaturized to be handheld?

Yes! Excellent! The first firearms were essentially vase-shaped barrels used to lob heavy stone balls at castles. It took a while for someone to effectively develop hand-held "cannons".

5. When Mohammed II beseiged Constantinople in 1453, he used artillery to batter the thick Byzantine walls. What was unusual about the Ottoman artillery?

Made by Western smiths?

I'll give you a half-point on this because you're right, although this isn't the answer I was looking for. A hint on this, related to your answer, is that an example of a similar cannon to the ones used by the Turks at Constantinople today is sitting on display in the Tower of London.

6. The Mamluks had broad access to firearms but when the Ottomans beseiged their fortresses in Syria in 1517, there was no artillery to oppose the Turks. Why?

Military doctrine & training. The Mamluks disdained the use of firearms in warfare cos they believed in their superiority as a military class. Besides they were cavalrymen at heart.

Right on. I stole this question from one of my favorite English-language historians, John Keegan, who uses this example in his argument of how Clauswitz's precepts only make sense in the Napoleonic era. The Mamluks eschewed firearms - correctly - as a technology that undermined their privilaged place in Mamluk Egypt. Unfortunately for them the Ottomans didn't feel nostalgic enough not to use cannons against the Mamluk fortresses...

7. At the same time, however, a descendant of Turkish slaves (father's side) and Mongol warriors (mother's side) named Babur had no problems with using firearms. He captured Kabul in 1504 (see - it can be done!), and he used artillery extensively in a huge battle at Panipat in 1526, defeating a confederation of princes and founding a new empire in the process. What empire was this?

The Mughal Empire in India of coz.

Yes!

8. What was unique about the Nagahama matchlock firearms production center from the late 16th century until the mid-19th century that wouyld have made Tokugawa Ieyasu proud?

Totally ran by Japanese? So with all the designs, with world-class quality?

Nice try, but no. It is of course true that they were Japanese-only productions. Also, while they made copies of matchlocks they got from the Portuguese traders in the 16th century it is generally acknowledged by modern historians that the Nagahama matchlocks were of unparalleled quality. However there was something more interesting about what these guys were doing that I was looking for.

9. What major innovation in firearms technology did Charles VIII's France introduce in 1494?

Muskets?

Not quite yet. Nice try.

10. Can you put these European hand-held firearms' types into correct chronological order?

A. flintlock (2) No.
B. percussion (4) Surely the latest Yes!
C. Snaphaunce - Dunno
D. wheellock (3) No.
E. matchlock (1) Yes!

Not quite - almost though.

14. Peter Mauser perfected a mechanism for firearms that was so stable and solid in the late 19th century that it was licensed for production throughout Europe, and is still used today in most sporting firearms and some military. What was it?

Rifled barrels?

No.

Another good run that has cleared up several questions. Thanks for the try Knight-Dragon!

 

[Hamlet]

I have absolutely no idea about the history of firearms, so I won't even attempt this.

 

[The Balrog]

Originally posted by Vrylakas
By popular demand, a history quiz on the development of firearms in history:

1. What was "Greek Fire" made of?

2. When and where were firearms probably first used?

3. What is the first evidence in Europe of firearms, and when?

4. How were the first firearms in Europe used for centuries before diversifying?

5. When Mohammed II beseiged Constantinople in 1453, he used artillery to batter the thick Byzantine walls. What was unusual about the Ottoman artillery?

6. The Mamluks had broad access to firearms but when the Ottomans beseiged their fortresses in Syria in 1517, there was no artillery to oppose the Turks. Why?

7. At the same time, however, a descendant of Turkish slaves (father's side) and Mongol warriors (mother's side) named Babur had no problems with using firearms. He captured Kabul in 1504 (see - it can be done!), and he used artillery extensively in a huge battle at Panipat in 1526, defeating a confederation of princes and founding a new empire in the process. What empire was this?

8. What was unique about the Nagahama matchlock firearms production center from the late 16th century until the mid-19th century that wouyld have made Tokugawa Ieyasu proud?

9. What major innovation in firearms technology did Charles VIII's France introduce in 1494?

10. Can you put these European hand-held firearms' types into correct chronological order?

A. flintlock
B. percussion
C. Snaphaunce
D. wheellock
E. matchlock

11. There was a major innovation in firearms technology in the mid-16th century based on the concept of the fletch of arrows, but it didn't really have an impact until the 18th century, and even then most countries didn't adopt it until the mid-19th century, and even then again strategies and tactics didn't catch up until the 1914-18 war. What was it?

12. The towns of Springfield, MA and Harpers Ferry, VA in the U.S. share a common distinction dating from the American Revolution. What is it?

13. In 1838, a Swissman (Johannes Samuel Pauly) and a Prussian (Johann Nikolaus von Dreyse) gave the world of firearms several new innovations, though they really were improving old ideas. Can you name the 3 innovations they combined?

14. Peter Mauser perfected a mechanism for firearms that was so stable and solid in the late 19th century that it was licensed for production throughout Europe, and is still used today in most sporting firearms and some military. What was it?

15. Emil von Skoda founded the Skoda Werke, the principal arms manufacturer for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. What's the Skoda factory producing nowadays?

16. What does Ludwig Obry's gyroscope, patented in 1895, have to do with firearms?

17. In the Spanish-American War (1898-1901), the Americans fighting in Cuba with their bizarre "side-trap" Krag-Jorgenson rifles were at a distinct technological disadvantage against the Spanish and their Spanish-made Mausers. What was that disadvantage?

18. Can you tell me what countries produced the following assault rifles for World War II:

A. M-1 Garand
B. Lee-Enfield
C. Mannlicher-Carcano
D. Moisen-Nagant
E. Meiji
F. The Ross Rifle
G. Thompson submachine gun
H. Mauser
I. MKb-42
J. Lebel Rifle
K. B.A.R.
L. M3A1

19. Avtomat' kalashnikov Sorok-sjem: Whazzat?

20. In the middle of the Vietnam War the U.S. introduced a new series of assault weapons, though this was unpopular with the soldiers. What was this series' weapon?

21. The Thompson submachine gun, the AK-47 and the M-1 Garand all have different types of magazines. Can you name them?

Good luck folks!

I actually know one of the answers so i am damn proud. The rest i dont know.
Answers:
1. Greek fire was created by some scientist and it is really a "flamethrower" on a boat, but what it was made, i cant remember. But first they where used as a early kind of molotov cocktails, so its a kind of napalm.
2. 300 ad? Oh yeah and China.
3. ???
5. Wasnt it that "big ass gun" VERY VERY big gun in other terms.6. Because aliens had beemed them up in their space ships.
7. Arabia?
9. Muskets. Flint locks.
20. THe m. 16 series and m. 60 series ( I love them)

 

[Case]

OK, here are a couple more answers to questions I got wrong:

5. When Mohammed II beseiged Constantinople in 1453, he used artillery to batter the thick Byzantine walls. What was unusual about the Ottoman artillery?

It was made of a stronger material then had been used previously (copper or brass I *think*)

11. There was a major innovation in firearms technology in the mid-16th century based on the concept of the fletch of arrows, but it didn't really have an impact until the 18th century, and even then most countries didn't adopt it until the mid-19th century, and even then again strategies and tactics didn't catch up until the 1914-18 war. What was it?

Ammunition magazines for rifles

BTW, American soldiers in Vietnam often 'borrowed' Australian Self Loading Rifles (the British version of the Belgian FN series). SLR's were more reliable, and had much greater muzzle velocity the the M-16, both features were very useful in jungle fighting.

 

[Knight-Dragon]

"8. What was unique about the Nagahama matchlock firearms production center from the late 16th century until the mid-19th century that wouyld have made Tokugawa Ieyasu proud?

Totally ran by Japanese? So with all the designs, with world-class quality?

Nice try, but no. It is of course true that they were Japanese-only productions. Also, while they made copies of matchlocks they got from the Portuguese traders in the 16th century it is generally acknowledged by modern historians that the Nagahama matchlocks were of unparalleled quality. However there was something more interesting about what these guys were doing that I was looking for."

They were run by ninjas (one of the two clans who worked for Tokugawa Ieyasu). After Tokugawa banned firearms in Japan (to protect the social status of samurai cos firearms enabled even lowly untrained peasants to kill samurai on the field of battle), he only maintained one or two production centers in Japan. As ninjas were also very experienced in handling firearms and gunpowder, the Shogun charged them to maintain the Shogunate's firearms production?

 

[Knight-Dragon]

"16. What does Ludwig Obry's gyroscope, patented in 1895, have to do with firearms?"

On a really wild guess, they are used to aim the big guns (dunno the exact term) on battleships and other warships.

Add : Wait, it's used in anti-aircraft guns?

 

[Vrylakas]

Spacecow wrote:

I actually know one of the answers so i am damn proud. The rest i dont know.
Answers:
1. Greek fire was created by some scientist and it is really a "flamethrower" on a boat, but what it was made, i cant remember. But first they where used as a early kind of molotov cocktails, so its a kind of napalm.

That is one theory, indeed. We don't know for sure exactly what Greek Fire was.

2. 300 ad? Oh yeah and China.

The China part is right, but you're off on the date.

3. ???

5. Wasnt it that "big ass gun" VERY VERY big gun in other terms.

Yes! Good call, Spacecow! The Turks loved huge, monstrous guns that lobbed 800 lbs. stone cannon balls. These monsters were so large they couldn't be transported; they had to be forged and mounted at the scene of the seige. Excellent!

6. Because aliens had beemed them up in their space ships.

Um, next question...

7. Arabia?

No. Knight-Dragon (aka SKM) already got this one; the Islamic Moghul Empire.

9. Muskets. Flint locks.

No.

20. THe m. 16 series and m. 60 series ( I love them)

Yes!

Good run, Spacecow!

 

[Vrylakas]

Case wrote: OK, here are a couple more answers to questions I got wrong:

5. When Mohammed II beseiged Constantinople in 1453, he used artillery to batter the thick Byzantine walls. What was unusual about the Ottoman artillery?

It was made of a stronger material then had been used previously (copper or brass I *think*)

No.

11. There was a major innovation in firearms technology in the mid-16th century based on the concept of the fletch of arrows, but it didn't really have an impact until the 18th century, and even then most countries didn't adopt it until the mid-19th century, and even then again strategies and tactics didn't catch up until the 1914-18 war. What was it?

Ammunition magazines for rifles

No. Something far more basic than that. In fact, the you mention in your answer above...

BTW, American soldiers in Vietnam often 'borrowed' Australian Self Loading Rifles (the British version of the Belgian FN series). SLR's were more reliable, and had much greater muzzle velocity the the M-16, both features were very useful in jungle fighting.

I've heard such stories too. This is an old American tradition; in WW I Americans were given the very unreliable French Chassepot submachine guns and they threw them away at every chance.

Nice try, Case.

 

[Vrylakas]

Knight-Dragon wrote:"8. What was unique about the Nagahama matchlock firearms production center from the late 16th century until the mid-19th century that wouyld have made Tokugawa Ieyasu proud?

Totally ran by Japanese? So with all the designs, with world-class quality?

Nice try, but no. It is of course true that they were Japanese-only productions. Also, while they made copies of matchlocks they got from the Portuguese traders in the 16th century it is generally acknowledged by modern historians that the Nagahama matchlocks were of unparalleled quality. However there was something more interesting about what these guys were doing that I was looking for."

They were run by ninjas (one of the two clans who worked for Tokugawa Ieyasu). After Tokugawa banned firearms in Japan (to protect the social status of samurai cos firearms enabled even lowly untrained peasants to kill samurai on the field of battle), he only maintained one or two production centers in Japan. As ninjas were also very experienced in handling firearms and gunpowder, the Shogun charged them to maintain the Shogunate's firearms production?

Bingo! What was unique about the Nagahama works was that they were unique! Tokugawa had ordered all firearms seized and buried or destroyed in 1587, and the Nagahama works were designated as the exclusive manufacturer of firearms in Japan for the entire Shogun period. Every single firearm that was created by Nagahama had to be personally approved by the Shogun. Nagahama produced an average of 24 matchlocks a year for its entire life... This nice little monopoly ended in 1858 when American ships under Admiral Perry showed up on the horizon and demonstrated that Japan might be better served by more robust arms production...

Good one Knight-Dragon!

 

[Vrylakas]

Knight-Dragon/The Poster Formerly Known as SKN wrote:"16. What does Ludwig Obry's gyroscope, patented in 1895, have to do with firearms?"

On a really wild guess, they are used to aim the big guns (dunno the exact term) on battleships and other warships.

Add : Wait, it's used in anti-aircraft guns?

The first one was right! A major problem for battleships and their cannon was that they weren't sitting still; the damned ocean keeps moving up and down. This meant that you practically had to be on top of your target if you wanted any chance of hitting anything. The 17th and 18th century navies settled this the same way the army settled its problem with a complete lack of accuracy, by simply having a whole row of guns all shoot at once sending a barrage of lead in the enemy's direction. However, with the birth of dreadnaughts and their 16 inch guns, this wasn't feasible. Obry's gyroscope gave the guns a constant sense of balance and where the horizon was, so gunners could acurately target anything even on the roughest seas. It also increased the range dramatically, to the point where you almost didn't have to actually be in visual contact with your target and still expect to hit it dead on.

Good job Knight-Dragon! This was a tough one!

 

[Case]

Ammunition belts?

 

[Vrylakas]

11. There was a major innovation in firearms technology in the mid-16th century based on the concept of the fletch of arrows, but it didn't really have an impact until the 18th century, and even then most countries didn't adopt it until the mid-19th century, and even then again strategies and tactics didn't catch up until the 1914-18 war. What was it?

Case wrote: Ammunition belts?

No. Nice try though. Far more basic than that. In fact, it's already been mentioned as an incorrect answer to other questions.

 

[The Balrog]

One barreled machine guns??

 

[The Balrog]

Or maybe Rifled barrels??