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Revision as of 18:13, 1 November 2011
The Hand Cannon was an early firearm, possibly one of the oldest in existence. It was the Special Weapon of
Description
The hand cannon was simply a barrel with some kind of handle, although there were many variations. Most drawings depict it with a wooden stake supporting the barrel, with a wooden stock in the back. It had no trigger; the powder was lit through a touch hole on top of the barrel by means of a smoldering piece of wood or coal, or slow-burning matches.
The version shown in the show appeared to be little more than a barrel mounted on the front of a thick plank, with a handle on the bottom that doubled as a war spike.
Uses
The hand cannon was possibly the oldest portable firearm to be used in battle. Although inaccurate and slow to reload, it was more powerful and accurate than any other weapon of its time, piercing even plate armor. It also had a spike on if so it could be used in melee combat (being roughly the medieval equivalent of a bayonet). In Europe, it was used until the 1520's, when more advanced matchlock firearms replaced it.
In Show
It was tested against the Huo Chien. It was given the edge due to the fact it could actually kill and had melee capabilities, while the flaming arrow proved to be highly ineffective.