FORENSIC
BALLISTICS
(Basic Firearms -Part 1)
Prepared by : Romeo I. Suguilon, MSCJ
ILO: At the end of this lesson, students are expected to…
Identify the significant events in the development of
firearms;
Identify the general classification and types of firearms;
Distinguish the pioneers and significant dates in firearms’
history;
Compare and contrast the various classification of
firearms;
Apply knowledge in differentiating class and individual
characteristics.
TOPICS:
I. Introduction to Ballistics
II. Definition of Firearms
III.Brief History
IV. General Classification of Firearm
V. Anatomy of Firearms and Physiology of Firearm
Components
VI. Gun Manufacturing Process
I. INTRODUCTION:
In this Module, it focuses not only on
understanding the basics about firearms, but
also on the relevance of proper classification.
Since not all arms are the same, government
tend to regulate firearms and classify them
also depending on the legal use that they
want to give to those arms, or their legal
status allowed/permitted or
prohibited/restricted arms.
I. Intro...
Before guns were
invented, there were
many types of
spring-driven
catapults that hurled
large stones. All this
catapults threw
stones and so did the
early powder-loaded
I. Intro...
Firearms are devices designed to
fire projectiles using an explosive
charge. They come in different
types, including rifles, shotguns,
handguns, and automatic weapons,
and can be used for hunting, self-
defense, law enforcement, and
military purposes. Firearms consist
of several parts, including a barrel,
trigger, firing mechanism, and
magazine or cylinder.
I. Intro...
The most common types of
ammunition used with firearms
are bullets, which come in
different calibers and weights.
Despite their utility, firearms can
be dangerous if not used
responsibly, and as such, require
proper training, licensing, and
regular maintenance to ensure
safety and effectiveness. -AI source
II. Definition of Firearms
Technical Definition
of Firearm - It is an
instrument that is used
for the propulsion of
projectile by means of
the expansive force of
gases of burning
gunpowder.
II. Definition of Firearms
Legal Definition of Firearms or Arm
(R.A. 10591 (AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A
COMPREHENSIVE LAW ON FIREARMS AND
AMMUNITION)- refers to any handheld or
portable weapon, whether a small arm or
light weapon, that expels or is designed to
expel a bullet, shot, slug, missile or any
projectile, which is discharged by means
of expansive force of gases from burning
gunpowder or other form of combustion
or any similar instrument or implement.
For purposes of this Act, the barrel, frame
or receiver is considered a firearm.
II. Definition of Firearms
Other Definition of
Firearms or Arm -Firearm is
any weapon that uses
gunpowder to fire a bullet or
shell. Generally, the term is
used for light firearms, such
as rifles, shotguns, and pistols.
They are often called small
arms. Heavier firearms are
generally referred to as
artillery.
II. Definition of Firearms
Minor parts of a firearm -It
refers to the parts of the firearm
other than the major parts which
are necessary to effect and
complete the action of expelling
a projectile by way of
combustion, except those
classified as accessories. -”Sec. 3
Par. (x) R.A. 10591 Comprehensive Firearms
and Ammunition Regulation Act”.
II. Definition of Firearms
Airsoft Rifle/Pistol
defined herein used
includes battery operated ,
spring and gas type
powered rifles/pistol which
discharge plastic or rubber
pellets only as bullets or
ammunition. This differs
from replica as the latter
does not fire plastic or
rubber pellet. (PNP CIRCULAR
NO. 11, December 04, 2007)
III. BRIEF HISTORY
A. ORIGINS OF FIREARMS
13th Century – development of
firearms followed the invention of
gunpowder in Western Europe.
BERTHOLD SCHWARTZ
– a German monk, and ROGER
BACON, an English monk – are
both credited with gunpowder
invention.
III. Brief History...
1118 – Moors used artillery against
Zaragoza. Early manuscripts tell of
several Moorish campaign in which
artillery was used all dating prior to
Bacon and Scwartz.
1245 – Gen. Batu, the Tartar
leader used artillery in Liegnitz when
he defeated the Poles, Hungarians and
Russians.
It is also often stated that gunpowder was first invented by Chinese
were aware of gunpowder and its use as a propellant long before its
advantage became recognized in Europe. It may also assume the Arabs
with their advance knowledge of chemistry at that time.
III. Brief History...
Stages of development of
man’s weapon:
1.Stones
2.Clubs
3.Knives
4.Spears and darts
5.Slingshots to hurl objects
6.Bows and arrows
7.Cross-bows
8.Guns
9.Missiles
III. Brief History...
B. Important Dates in Firearms
1242 A.D. – Roger Bacon published the
(On the Marvelous Power of Arts and
Nature), which noted Black Powder
Formula
1313 – Gunpowder as a Propellant
1350 – Small Arms. Gunpowder was first used only
in cannons.
1498 – Introduction of rifling
III. Brief History...
B. Important Dates in Firearms
1500 – Development of Wheel Lock
(operates in the same principles as the
modern lighter)
1575 – Paper Cartridge was developed
1750 – Development of Breech – Loading Rifle
1805 -1807 – Percussion System
III. Brief History...
B. Important Dates in Firearms
1835 – First real cartridge was developed,
Samuel Colt patented the first practical
revolver in which the cylinder rotated by
cocking the hammer (Breech loading revolver)
1836 – Pin Fire Cartridge developed
1845 – Rim Cartridge developed, Flobert developed
BB (bullet breech) cap the forerunner of .22 cal cartridge
1846 - Smokeless Powder was discovered
III. Brief History...
B. Important Dates in Firearms
1858 – Center – Fire Cartridge Developed
1873 – Colt Peace Maker, model 1873 .45
cal. The most famous revolver was
manufactured
1884 – Automatic Machine Gun, Hiram Maxim –
built the first fully automatic gun, utilizing the
recoil of the gun to load and fired the next charge
1885 – developed in France, Vieille the first
satisfactory smokeless powder
III. Brief History...
C. History of the First Firearm
Firelock -Developed in the 14th century as
a simple smoothed bore tube of iron, closed
at breech end except for an opening called a
touchhole and set into a rounded piece of
wood for holding under the arm. The tuber
was loaded shot and powder and the fired by
inserting a heated wire into the touchhole.
Matchlock -Developed in 15th century which was
the same as that of firelock, except that the slow
match was clamped on the top of the device called
serpentine-an S shaped metal pivoted to the center.
A spring device dropped a lighted match directly
into the gun powder.
III. Brief History...
C. History of the First Firearm
Wheel Lock -Developed at about 1515
which is consisted of a spring-driven wheel
which when released of the trigger brought a
peace of iron pyrite into contact with a
rotating steel wheel and the resulting spark
ignited the gunpowder.
Flintlock -Developed from the end of 17th century
to the middle of 19th century. The striker plate was
L shaped, the bottom limb of the L was used as a
cover for the priming pan to protect the powder
from moisture until the upper limb was struck by
the flint of the hammer. But the flintlock
superseded by the percussion cap.
Quiz…
Instructions:
ASSIGNMENT…
Next topic:
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF
FIREARMS
