Forensic Ballistics
Which legal basis provides this definition of firearms:
"Rifles, muskets, carbines, shotguns, revolvers, pistols, and all other deadly weapons from which a bullet, ball, shot, shell, or other missile may be discharged by means of gunpowder or other explosive."
Section 877 of Act 2711 (Revised Administrative Code)
True or False: Firearms also includes air rifles, including those of being small caliber and limited range or used as toys.
False
Section 3 of RA 10591 defines firearms as______________.
any handheld weapon that expels a bullet, shot, slug, missile, or any projectile by means of expansive forse of gases.
According to Section 3(l) of RA 10591, what is considered a firearm besides the handheld or portable weapon itself?
The barrel, frame, or receiver
According to the FBI Manual, how are firearms defined?
Any instrument that expels projectiles by the force of gases from burning gunpowder
How does the Federal Firearm Act define firearms?
Any weapon designed to expel a projectile by the action of explosives
Gunpowder was first discovered in China during which century?
10th-11th Century
For what primary purpose was gunpowder used when it was first discovered in China?
For fireworks display
Who is credited with the invention of gunpowder in the 12th century?
Roger Bacon
In what year did Roger Bacon, an English monk, reportedly invent gunpowder?
1248
Which alchemist is known for using gunpowder as a propellant for missiles?
Berthold Schwartz
When were small arms first invented, with gunpowder primarily used for cannons?
1350
Which category do rifles, carbines, submachine guns, and light machine guns fall under?
Shoulder guns
What are the two primary classes of small arms?
Handguns and shoulder guns
What was a key feature of the firelock developed in the 14th century?
It had a smooth bore tube with a touchhole for ignition.
How was the firelock fired?
By inserting a heated wire into the touchhole.
When did rifling first appear as a reference for rifled barrel weapons?
1498
Who is credited with the first invention of rifling in 1520?
Augustus Kotter
What innovation did Augustus Kotter contribute to firearms?
He invented the rifled barrel.
What feature of the crossbow involved the use of a tube with spiral grooves?
It provided better accuracy through rifling.
What is a smooth bore tube of iron closed at breech end except for an opening called a touchhole and set into a rounded piece of firewood?
Firelock (14th Century)
What type of mechanism was developed with the matchlock in the 15th century?
A curved metal rod holding a match
In the matchlock mechanism, what was the purpose of the metal rod shaped like an "S"?
To push or pull the match into the touchhole
What was the key feature of the wheel lock developed in 1515?
A rotating steel wheel to generate sparks
How did the wheel lock ignite the gunpowder?
By striking iron pyrite against a rotating steel wheel to create sparks
What significant development in ammunition occurred in 1575?
The development of cartridge paper combining powder and ball
Why was the development of cartridge paper in 1575 important?
It sped up loading time and reduced the danger of carrying loose powder.
Who is credited with inventing the Pin Fire Cartridge in 1836?
Casimir Lefaucheux
Before cartridges were invented, how did soldiers load firearms?
They loaded gunpowder and bullets separately.
True or false: The adjacent end grom the match projected below the gun barrel cause the match to meet the touchhole.
False
Invented in 1515, the _____________ consisted of a spring-driven wheel, which when released by the trigger brought a piece of iron pyrite into contact with a rotating steel wheel that sparks and ignites.
wheel lock
Who developed the earliest rifles in 1800?
Oliver F. Winchester
What was a key innovation introduced by Oliver F. Winchester?
The creation of repeating rifles and pump-action firearms
What is the defining feature of a repeating rifle?
It fires multiple rounds without reloading.
How does a pump-action firearm operate?
By manually sliding a grip to eject spent cartridges and chamber new ones
Who introduced the percussion ignition system in 1807?
Alexander John Forsyth
What was the major contribution of Alexander John Forsyth to firearms technology?
He introduced the percussion system for igniting charges in firearms.
What was the significant feature of Samuel Colt’s Colt Paterson revolver, invented in 1836?
It used a rotating cylinder with multiple chambers for repeated firing.
Which inventor developed the rimfire cartridge in 1845?
Louis Nicolas Auguste Flobert
What is the rimfire cartridge, as developed by Louis Flobert, known for?
It combines the percussion system with a bullet breech cap.
Who invented the centerfire cartridge in 1858?
Jean Samuel Pauly
What cartridge marked the beginning of the rapid development of the center fire cartridge?
Morse Cartridge
This was the prevailing type of small arms weapon for both shoulder guns and handguns.
Flintlock (17th century)
The following refers to characteristics of a flintlock, except:
Certain compounds detonated by a blast would be used to ignite the charge in firearms.