Fire lance

The fire lance (simplified Chinese: 火枪; traditional Chinese: 火槍; pinyin: huǒqiāng; lit. 'fire spear') was an early weapon that used gunpowder. It first appeared in China between the 10th and 12th centuries and was used in battles, especially during the Jin-Song Wars. At first, it was a small pyrotechnic device attached to a long weapon, used to surprise enemies.

As gunpowder improved, the fire lance could shoot out debris or small pellets. It worked like a mix between a modern flamethrower and shotgun. However, it had a very short range—only about 3 meters or 10 feet—and could usually fire just one shot. By the late 13th century, the fire lance’s barrel was made of metal, and it no longer needed the sharp point on the end. These changes helped create the first hand cannons.

Design

The first fire lances were made from a tube, often bamboo, filled with gunpowder and a slow match. They were attached to a spear. When lit, the gunpowder shot out a stream of flames.

Later, small projectiles like iron pellets were added to fly out with the flames.

In the 13th century, metal barrels for fire lances were developed. These were called "eruptors" and were an early version of the hand cannon. In Europe, some fire lances used wooden tubes instead.

See also: Fire arrow

History

The earliest fire lances appeared in China in the year 950. They were used in battles, especially in 1132 in Anlu, Hubei. By the late 1100s, these weapons had pieces like porcelain shards and small iron pellets in their gunpowder.

By 1232, other groups like the Jin used fire lances with better, reusable barrels. These weapons could shoot flames more than ten feet. Fire lances kept changing, and by the late 1200s, they were made with metal barrels and used by soldiers on horseback. They were also used in other places, such as the Middle East, Europe, and by samurai in Japan.

See also: History of gunpowder and Timeline of the Gunpowder Age