45 landmark weapons — from the flintlock musket to the XM7. Click any milestone for the full story.
This timeline spans over 400 years of firearms development — from the 17th-century flintlock musket through the percussion cap era, the lever-action revolution, bolt-action service rifles, semi-automatic pistols, and into the modern era. Each of the 45 entries covers the year, country of origin, category, and the context that made it a landmark in firearms history.
Eras covered: Flintlock (pre-1840), Percussion Cap (1840–1865), Cartridge Era (1865–1900), Early Modern (1900–1945), Cold War (1945–1991), and Modern Era (1991–present). Notable firearms include the Brown Bess musket, Colt Single Action Army, Winchester Model 1873, Mauser 98, M1911, M1 Garand, AK-47, AR-15, Glock 17, and the M17 / SIG Sauer P320.