It is not known when the first gunpowder charge exploded, sending a projectile down a barrel, to a distant target. But since that moment, firearm designers and manufacturers have been driven to make guns more accurate, with greater stopping power - to increase their rate of fire, improve reliability, ease of operation - to extend their range, portability and finally, make guns more beautiful. No country has contributed more to the improvement of firearms than America. 

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The early history of the United States, and a look at the Kentucky Long Rifle and it's use during the Revolutionary War

The Kentucky Long Rifle and the Revolutionary War

Early US arms manufacturing relied heavily on federal funding and armories as customers

U.S. Armories and the War of 1812

As manufacturing in the US grew under Andrew Jackson, the gun became an essential tool for settlers in the western territories

Breechloaders and Jacksonian Democracy

The Battle of the Alamo, the weapons used, and American innovator Samuel Colt's rise as a titan in the gun industry

Trouble in Texas and Samuel Colt

As the Civil War loomed, American Guns were only becoming more powerful, more accurate, and easier to reload.

Prelude to War and Increased Fire Power

The Civil War brought with it the Gatling Gun and the Sharps Rifle, while after the war, Smith and Wesson introduce the revolver

Guns of the American Civil War

Smith and Wesson, Remington, Colt, Winchester, and Parker Bros all experience a gun manufacturing golden age during America's Guilded Age

The Six Shooter and America's New Industrial Age

The spirit of innovation kept the major gun manufacturers trying to outgun one another, and even some non-competition agreements. But one such agreement between Colt and Winchester would not last, as the rifle became too big of a market for Colt to ignore.

The Long Gun

Modern style hand guns and semi automatic rifles begin to enter production around the time of the Spanish-American War

Dawn of Modern Firearms: Browning and the Spanish-American War

Bolt actions, repeaters and machine guns take center stage during the War to End All Wars. But once the war is over, the guns land in the hands of the criminal underworld as tools to carry out their bidding.

Guns of World War I and Gangsters

The M1 rifle and M1 Carbine were the American guns that did most of the heavy lifting during WWII.

Guns of World War II

As war evolved, the weapons did as well - with the M1 Garand, the Browning Automatic Rifle, fully automatics, and advanced sniper rifles.

Guns of Korea, Vietnam and 21st Century Warfare

The ownership of guns in America for hunters and enthusiasts has been a long standing tradition, and gun culture continues to be part of the fabric of American life.

American Guns

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