I.
Historical Development of Firearms
• When man invent tools, one of it will
always be designed for the purpose of
protection
• The history will tell us that firearm (FA) is a
potent tool of peace and war; freedom and
slavery
• Creation of firearm is a combination of
conservatism (little have change with its
principles and basic parts) and continued
revolution (continuous transformation in
terms of capabilities)
• The creation of firearm is a fascinating
story of engineering, innovation and tactical
imagination.
The Gunpowder and Barrel
 Cannot be accurately dated
 The first use of gunpowder (sulphur,
saltpeter and charcoal) were
associated among the Chinese and
intentionally used for pyrotechnics.
Its full potential for violence has
been realized as the Europeans got
hold of it
 Roger Bacon (1214) Wrote down the
formula for gunpowder in an
elaborate ANAGRAM that was not
discovered until 19th century by the
British
 First applied on cannons to initially
fire arrows but later on used for
smashing fortifications. Lack of
metals and chemicals lead to its
small production and used. These
problems lead to designing and
creation of its portable version...the
"Handgonne".
 Handgonne is a two-man operated
firearm designed like a typical
cannon. Weighing 6.4 kilogram, it is
equipped with a metal hook (grip)
while the end part of the single shot
barrel is tucked beneath the armpit
of the second operator.
Note: At first arrows and bows outweigh
FA
 Among the problems it encountered
is accuracy. Hence minor
improvements were made such as
increasing the barrel's length and
providing it with "stock" so it can be
fired conveniently on shoulder. Size
of the projectile was also reduced to
increased velocity (19mm).
 The greatest improvement however,
is the introduction of various "lock
system" (mechanical system for
firing a gun)
Matchlock Gun (Arquebus)
 Equipped with lighted cord (wick)
 Problems:
Hard to operate on damp conditions
Lighting a match alert the enemy
Constant supply of matches
Wheel Lock
 The spinning wheel with serrated
grooves produces shower of sparks
which will be used to ignite
gunpowder.
 Problem: Expensive
Flint Lock
 Use of mineral (stone) friction
 Introduction of muskets
 Rifling was introduced. First by
Gaspard Kollner (cutting 2 straight
grooves down the barrel) while
Agustus Kutter made the grooves
twist along the length
 Problems: Delay and Fouling
Percussion Cap
Rev. Alexander John Fosyth (British) a
hunter and an amateur scientist introduced
the powder that detonates upon impact
Addressing the Problem on the Rate of
Fire
 Low rate of fire which is crucial on
close range battle
 Introduction of handguns with
multiple barrels - the "Duck Foot
Gun". Fired by a single trigger pull
for a room clearing effect
 Pepper Box Revolvers - Multiple
barrels in a cylindrical arrangement
on an axis, the barrel being rotated
to present each barrel in -turn
beneath the cock (prone to flash
over [flame from the ignition of one
cartridge jumps over and ignites
other charges in the cylinder,
multiple detonations resulting to
hand threatening injuries])
 Artemus Wheeler (Massachusetts,
1818) made a flintlock carbine that
uses a revolving cylinder containing
multiple chambers behind a single
barrel. The design was passed over
to ELISHA COLLIER who
mechanically refined the idea,
including converting it to take
percussion cup system to produce
arguably the world's first revolver
 CASIMIR LEFAUCHEAUX (France,
1826) designed and created the pin -
fire cartridge; consisted of a brass
case with a percussion cap in its
base and a bullet fixed in the mouth
with a metal pin sticking out of the
side of the cartridge at a right angle
near the base (integral firing pin).
Became a success in continental
Europe but less so in England and
US. Introduced the first effective
brass unitary cartridge
 SAMUEL COLT (Colt "Patterson" or
"Texan", 1835) - Originality was not
the defining characteristics of the
colt gun, but refined mechanism so
that they worked well and designed
a gun that sat smartly in the hand.
The revolver's cylinder has to be
removed from the gun and each
individual chamber charged with the
powder and ball (it would be made
fast if the shooter carries extra
preloaded cylinders, ready for
action). It's the first commercially
realizable revolver with .34
inch/caliber. His patent ended in
1857
 JOHANN NIKOLAUS VON DREYSE
(France, 1836) Introduced a
cartridge and bullet with a
percussion cap embedded in the
rear of the bullet. Introduced the
bolt-action rifle ("Needle - gun")
 ROBERT ADAMS (England, 1851) -
produced a "self-cocking" revolver
(Double Action) with. 44 inch/caliber.
No hammer spur w/ fixed frame.
 ANTOINE ALPHONSE
CHASSEPOT (1860) - made a
cartridge in which the percussion
cap is much more sensibly placed in
the base of the cartridge, thereby
removing the firing pin from
corrosive effects of powder
detonation (as compared to the
design of Dreyse in his Needle Gun)
 HORACE SMITH AND DANIEL
WESSON (1860) Manufactured
small brass cartridge case with a
definitive rim around the base. Not
only the rim is useful for ejection,
S&W also used it to contain the
priming powder the hammer of firing
 pin of the gun struck the rim to
detonate the cartridge (rim fire
cartridge). S&W .22 caliber rim fire
model no. 1 is the first of an epic
series of breech loading revolvers (a
tip-up revolver and removable
cylinder)
 OLIVER F. WINCHESTER & TYLER
HENRY (1860) – the
Henry/Winchester rimfire rifle
brought in the age of "repeating
rifle". Provide a reliable system of
rapid fire power
 Col EDWARD MOUNIER BOXER &
Col HIRAM BERDAN - Introduced a
genuinely effective metallic center
fire culture with a separate
percussion cap mounted centrally in
the base of the cartridge case
(centerfire cartridge)
 Dr. RICHARD JORDAN GATLING
(1861) Invented the .45 inch/cal
Gatling gun. Consist with a 6 barrel
(which had its own firing
mechanism) weapon fed with
ammunition by gravity from a hopper
magazine set above the breech.
Practical rate of 600 rmp (could
match the volume of fire while
exceeding accuracy of around 50
rifle - equipped infantry); operated
only by a two- man crew. Problems;
conception that such is a form of
artillery rather than infantry weapon
and concerns about ammunition
consumption
 COLT FRONTIER/PEACEMAKER
(1873) a single action .44 caliber
featured (flip-down, right side) gate
loading to the cylinder. Shells are
ejected one at a time using a spring
loaded ejector rod set beneath the
barrel (eliminates the need to
remove the cylinder for reloading)
 Sir HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM
(1880) Maxim invented the first
single barreled true machine gun,
which was operated by the force of
its own recoil (recoil operated; by
droving the breech block and barrel
backward and after a short distance
the barrel stop travelling while the
breech block continued backwards).
It has a rate of 600 rpm
 PETER PAUL MAUSER (1884)
Introduced a bolt-action model with
an under barrel magazine; it allows
eight rounds of high power
ammunitions (11mm- rimfire), the
only action required being the
cycling of the bolt. (repeating arms-
requires manual operation between
shots)
 FERDINAND VON MANNLICHER
(AUSTRIAN, 1885) Introduced the
system of clip - loading in which the
shooter opened the bolt of the gun
and pressed a steel clip of five
cartridges straight down into the
body of the weapon against the
tension of the spring
 COLT NAVY MODEL (1889)
Featured a cylinder that swung
outside ways from the gun on a
hinged arm for reloading. Combined
with star ejectors (system that
ejected all spent cases in one
action), reloading became a very
rapid affair
 HUGO BORCHARDT (Germany,
1893) laid some of the ground work
for modern auto - handguns. It was
recoil operated (common with many
automatic handguns today); fed from
an eight round box magazine
inserted into the butt. Reloading is
extremely quick. Automatic handgun
 is much better in handling of recoil
than revolver
 Sub Machine Guns (1900) - hand
held full auto weapons that fire pistol
caliber cartridges were develop to
provide infantryman with his own
personal source of automatic fire
power.
Others Important Personalities in the
Development of Firearms
 John M. Browning - Wizard of
modern firearms and pioneered the
breech-loading single shot rifle.
 John T. Thompson - Pioneered the
Making of Thompson Sub
machinegun.
 David "carbine" Williams - Maker of
the first known carbine.
 Henry Deringer - He gave his name
to whole class of firearms.
 James Wolf - Model 1885 rifle
musket
 John C. Garand - Designed and
invented the Semi automatic U.S.
Rifle Cal. 30. M1 garand.
 George Hyde - A well-known expert
in the field of SMG, (also known as
grease gun) developed in 1941.
M3A1 (USA).
 Michael Kalashnikov - Designed the
AK (Automat Kalashnikova) 47
(Soviet Union) adopted by the
Russian Army in the year 1951.
 Eugene Stoner - Designed the U.S.
M16 Armalite under licensed by Colt
Company from July 1959 onwards
Personalities in the Development of
Forensic Ballistics
 1889- Alexander Lacassagne
attempted to individualize bullets to
firearm; the basis of comparison is
the lands and grooves marks found
in the bullet
 1898- Paul Jesrich -took
photomicrograph of two bullets for
comparison
 1910- Victor Balthazard used
enlarge photograph of bullets to
determine the type of weapons
 1920- Calvin Goddard (father of
modern ballistics), Charles Waite
and Phillip Gravell developed the
bullet comparison microscope and
established the Bureau of Forensics
on 1923
 1991- Walsh Automation Inc.
developed the Integrated Ballistics
Identification System (IBIS)
I. Firearms
A. Definition
Firearm- an instrument designed to propel
bullets using the expansive force of
gunpowder
Sec 877 (Revised Administrative Code) -
Firearms or arms as herein used include
rifle, muskets, carbines, shotguns, pistols,
revolvers and all other deadly weapons from
which bullets, balls, shots, shells or other
missiles maybe discharged by means of
gun powder or other explosives.
This term also includes air rifles except such
as being of small caliber and of limited
range used as toys. The barrel of any
firearm shall be considered a complete
firearm for all purposes hereof
RA 10591 Handheld or portable weapon,
that expel or designed to expel a bullet,
shot, slug, missile or any projectile, which is
discharge by means of expansion force of
gasses from burning gun powder or other
form of combustion or any similar
instrument or implement. The barrel, frame
and receiver is considered a firearm
(Comprehensive Law on Firearm and
Ammunitions and Providing Penalties for
Violation)
B. Typologies
i. Two Groups of Firearms
ii. Long Arms/ Shoulder Arms - firearms
meant to be fired from shoulder
(a) Rifles- firearms that have single
chamber, rifled barrel and barrel length of at
least twenty two inches (22 inch.)
(b) Carbines- firearms that have
specifications similar to the rifles except that
the barrel length that does not exceed more
than 22 inches.
(c) Shotgun- a smooth bored firearm that
can propel pellets in one shot
(d) Machine Gun- a firearm that is primarily
used for military that can propel large
amount of bullets
(e) Sub Machine Gun- a firearm that has
mechanical specification similar to machine
gun but propels handgun bullets
iii. Short Arms/Hand Arms
(a) Pistol- a single chambered, firearm with
charging slide and magazine fed
mechanism
(b) Revolver- a firearm with revolving
cylinder containing chambers and the
actuation of hammer and rotation of cylinder
2. General Classification (internal
construction)
i. Smooth bored firearm- firearms in which
the muzzles have no rifling
ii. Rifled Arms- firearms in which the
muzzles have rifling
3. Main Types of Firearms (acc. to
caliber/projectile propelled)
i. Artillery- firearms in which the caliber is
greater than one inch
ii. Small Arms- firearms in which the caliber
is less than one inch
4. Classification according to Trigger
mechanism
i. Single Action-firearm in which the trigger
releases only the hammer
ii. Double Action - firearm in which trigger
both pulls and releases the hammer
5. Types According to Mechanical
Construction
i. Single shot firearms- a firearm that can
discharge one bullet per loading
ii. Repeating Arms- a firearm that can
discharge several bullets per loading
iii. Bolt Action Type- a firearm that has
outside bolt that is being pulled manually to
load and eject ammunitions
iv. Lever Action Type- a firearm in which the
loading and ejecting of ammunition is
manipulated by moving the outside lever
placed adjacent to trigger and handle
v. Slide Action Type- a firearm in which the
loading and ejecting is performed by pulling
the handle below the barrel line.
vi. Semi Automatic Type- it is the firearm
that propels single bullet in one squeeze of
trigger
vii. Automatic Type- it is the firearm that (i) Thumb Safety Button: A mechanism that
continuously propels bullets while there are can be engaged to prevent accidental
available ammunitions in stock and the trigger pulls.
trigger is pressed.
(j) Slide Release Button: Allows the slide
C. Feeding Device assembly to be released or locked into
place.
1. Clip
(k) Magazine Release Button: Used to eject
2. Drum
the magazine from the grip.
3. Box
(l) Side Straps: Textured areas on the sides
4. Belt of the grip that provide a secure hold on the
pistol.
5. Tubular
ii. Slide Assembly

(a) Top Strap: The uppermost part of the

A. Parts of Firearm slide.
1. Pistol (b) Ejecting Port: An opening through which
i. Frame Assembly spent casings are ejected.

(a) Main Frame: Houses the internal
components and provides the foundation for
the pistol.
(b) Hand Grip: The part of the frame that the
shooter holds onto.
(c) Ejector: A mechanism that pushes out
spent casings.
(d) Extractor: A claw-like mechanism that
grips the rim of a fired cartridge and pulls it
out of the chamber.

(c) Charging Spring: Assists in the cycling of (e) Charging Grip: A serrated surface that
the pistol's action. allows manual manipulation of the slide.

(d) Magazine Well: The opening in the
bottom of the grip where the magazine is
inserted.
(e) Hammer: Part of the firing mechanism
that strikes the firing pin.
(f) Main Spring: Powers the hammer and
helps reset the trigger.
(g) Trigger: The lever that the shooter pulls
to release the hammer, firing the pistol.
(h) Trigger Guard: A protective loop
surrounding the trigger.
(f) Front Sight and Rear Sight: Used for
aiming the pistol.
(g) Breech: The rear part of the slide where
the cartridge is loaded and extracted.
(h) Firing Pin: Strikes the cartridge primer to
ignite the propellant.
(i) Firing Pin Spring: Provides tension to the
firing pin.
iii. Barrel Assembly
(a) Barrel Tube: A hollow tube through which
the bullet is propelled.
(b) Chamber: The part of the barrel where
the cartridge is loaded and held in place
before firing.
(c) Bore: The interior of the barrel through
which the bullet travels.
(d) Muzzle: The front end of the barrel from
which the bullet exits.
(e) Rifling: Spiral grooves cut into the bore
of the barrel, imparting spin to the bullet for
improved accuracy.
iv. Magazine Assembly
(a) Magazine Case: A container that holds
the cartridges.
(b) Ramp: A sloped surface that guides the
cartridge into the chamber during feeding.
(c) Spring: Provides tension to push the
cartridges upward.
(d) Magazine Lips: The top edges of the
magazine that retain the cartridges and
control their feeding.
(e) Magazine Butt: The bottom portion of the
magazine that is inserted into the grip of the
pistol.
2. Revolver
i. Frame Assembly
(a) Frame: The main structural component
that houses the internal mechanisms and
provides support and stability.
(b) Hand Grip: The part of the frame that the
shooter holds onto.
(c) Side Strap: A textured area on the side
of the grip, providing a secure hold.
(d) Main Spring: A large spring that powers
the revolver's internal mechanisms.
(e) Hammer: The part of the firing
mechanism that strikes the cartridge primer
to ignite the propellant.
(f) Trigger: The lever that the shooter pulls
to release the hammer and fire the revolver.
(g) Trigger Guard: A protective loop
surrounding the trigger.
(h) Top Strap: The uppermost part of the
frame, providing additional strength and
rigidity.
(i) Cylinder Release Notch: A mechanism
that allows the cylinder to be swung out for
loading and unloading.
(j) Rear Sight: A component that aids in
aiming the revolver.
ii. Barrel assembly
(a) Barrel Tube: A hollow tube through which
the bullet travels when fired.
(b) Bore: The interior of the barrel, through
which the bullet passes.
(c) Muzzle: The front end of the barrel from
which the bullet exits.
(d) Rifling: Spiral grooves cut into the bore
of the barrel, imparting spin to the bullet for
improved accuracy.
(e) Front Sight: A component that assists
with aiming the revolver.
iii. Cylinder Assembly
(a) Cylinder: A rotating drum that holds the
individual chambers for the ammunition.
(b) Chambers: Cylindrical openings in the
cylinder where the cartridges are loaded.
(c) Ejector: A mechanism that pushes the
spent casings out of the chambers.
(d) Ejector Spring: Provides tension to the
ejector, assisting in the ejection of spent
casings.
(e) Yoke: The part of the revolver that holds
the cylinder in place and allows it to swing
out for loading and unloading.
3. Long arms
i. Frame Assembly
(a) Shoulder Butt: The rear part of the stock
that rests against the shooter's shoulder.
(b) Trigger: The lever that the shooter pulls
to release the hammer or firing pin, initiating
the firing sequence.
(c) Trigger Guard: A protective loop
surrounding the trigger to prevent accidental
discharges.
(d) Rear Sight: A component located near
the back of the firearm, aiding in aiming.
(e) Fore Handle/Foregrip/Forend: A grip
located towards the front of the firearm that
provides support and control over the
weapon.
ii. Barrel Assembly
(a) Barrel Tube: A long cylindrical tube
through which the projectile travels when
the firearm is discharged.
(b) Bore: The interior of the barrel, where
the projectile moves.
(c) Muzzle: The front end of the barrel, from
which the projectile exits.
(d) Rifling: Spiral grooves cut into the bore
of the barrel, imparting spin to the projectile
for improved accuracy.
(e) Front Sight: A component located near
the muzzle that assists in aiming.
(f) Chamber: The rear part of the barrel
where the cartridge is loaded and held in
place before firing.
iii. Stock Assembly
(a) Bolt: A mechanism that locks the
chamber and houses the firing pin.
(b) Hammer: A component that strikes the
firing pin or directly impacts the cartridge to
initiate the firing sequence.
(c) Firing Pin: A small rod or pin that strikes
the primer of the cartridge to ignite the
propellant.
(d) Firing Pin Spring: Provides tension to the
firing pin, ensuring reliable ignition.
B. Firearm Accessories
1. Optical Sight-sight containing series of
lenses to form an optical system being
contained in one unit
2. Open Sight - any sight to which no tube
or aperture through which aim is taken
3. Sound Suppressor
4. Muzzle Brake - Device attached to the
muzzle of a gun designed to deflect
propelling gases to counter the recoil of the
weapon
C. Miscellaneous Firearms
1. Cane gun/Freakish Gun - Disguised guns
2. Gas gun - Use to fire tear gas
3. Flare gun designed for tracing or sending
signals or locating enemy troops.
4. Harpoon gun use for hunting and
capturing sea creatures/animals
5. Zip Gun Homemade guns