After an in-depth exchange with Xu Youtang, the two decided on the plan to make this kind of individual firearm. But soon, Zhang Yanling made various requests. Zhang Yanling hoped to make a flintlock bird gun to get rid of the need to use a match rope.
Ignition of gunpowder will be affected by the weather, and it can speed up the launch. Zhang Yanling also proposed the idea of paper-packed bullets to improve the loading speed and solve the problem of quantitative charging. If he didn't know that there was no way to rifling or change the
Zhang Yanling will definitely put forward these requirements again when it comes to the shape of the charge.
Fortunately, these improvements proposed by Zhang Yanling did not deviate from the Ming Dynasty's current mechanical manufacturing capabilities and Xu Youtang's cognitive scope. Zhang Yanling once lost his head and wanted to ask Xu Youtang to think about whether he could change the firing method to a primer.
But soon Zhang Yanling himself denied his ridiculous idea. Not to mention that the black powder is not sensitive enough to explode by firing. Even if it can be fired, it is impossible based on the mechanical principle and the production of bullets. That is modern.
The mechanical structure of firearms is limited, and many parts require machines to produce.
As a result, Zhang Yanling finally decided on this kind of bird gun fired by flintlock. This was already a killing weapon that surpassed all individual firearms of the Ming Dynasty today. It was a firearm that surpassed the historical process by nearly a hundred years.
After Zhang Yanling informed Xu Youtang of the principle of fusillary and the basic operating principles of the device structure, and provided sketches of the components, the rest was left to Xu Youtang's free play.
Zhang Yanling was once worried that if she asked too much, Xu Youtang would not be able to make the firearm he envisioned. However, now the flint-haired bird gun, which has always been of epoch-making significance, is truly in his hands. How can this not be done?
Zhang Yanling was very excited.
"Master Hou, let's give it a try, I don't know if it can be launched." Xu Youtang said with a smile.
Zhang Yanling nodded and said, "Okay, do you have paper-packed ammunition?"
Xu Youtang nodded and said: "Of course. I made two types of paper-packed bullets that Mr. Hou mentioned, and fired two different lead pellets respectively. One is equipped with lead pellets that are similar to the inner diameter of the barrel. The other is thirty pieces.
Small lead shot. I think that the long-range and short-range area killing that Mr. Hou wants can be achieved with these two paper-packed bullets. However, I don’t know how much gunpowder should be used. I’m afraid it still needs to be actually used.
I was trying to figure it out. The amount of medicine should not be too large, as I was worried that the barrel of the gun would not be able to bear it. But it should not be too small, as that would have no power."
The so-called paper-packed bullets, as the name suggests, are gunpowder and lead bullets packed in small paper bags. They are divided into two parts, one part is gunpowder and the other part is lead bullets. Packing in paper bags not only ensures even distribution of the powder, but also prevents the gunpowder from getting damp.
It is also a means to increase the charging speed.
"Don't worry, the weight of the ammunition can be figured out after a few shots. Give me the large-caliber paper-packed bullets first," Zhang Yanling said.
Xu Youtang nodded, took out a cloth bag from the small wooden box on the table, and took out a long small paper bag from it, which was the paper-wrapped bomb. Zhang Yanling took it and unfolded the folded bag.
Then pour the black powder in the upper paper bag into the gun chamber. Then stuff the lower round lead bullet into the gun chamber together with the paper bag.
Before Zhang Yanling could speak, Xu Youtang handed over a smooth wooden pole. Zhang Yanling took the rod and inserted it into the barrel to compact the gunpowder and lead bullets.
"Introduce the medicine!" Zhang Yanling said solemnly.
Xu Youtang immediately handed over a small tin can that was always black. The top of the can was closed in the shape of a gourd, and there was a rustling sound inside. There was also fine gunpowder in it. There was a small cork at the mouth that could be turned up and covered with the thumb. Zhang Yanling was very excited.
I admire the ingenuity in the details. Xu Youtang is obviously very attentive. It can be seen that a small jar containing the medicine has taken into account many factors for convenient and safe sealing.
After Zhang Yanling poured the priming powder into the fire door, the entire charging process was completed. He walked towards the open area of the yard with the musket in hand, turned around and saw a giant jujube tree standing on the tall jujube tree in the corner of the yard.
The birds gathered at a distance of about a hundred paces, which was the best distance to test the shooting range of the musket. So the faucet was moved into place, the long muzzle was raised, and it was pointed at the birds on the tree.
"Master Hou, be careful, the ignition explosive is very dangerous." Xu Youtang reminded loudly.
Zhang Yanling hurriedly turned his head to the side, almost forgetting that one of the dangers of flintlock guns is the burns on the head and face caused by the detonation of the primer. He needs to close his eyes and turn his head to avoid it. It seems that in the future, he will need to buy equipment such as goggles.
, to avoid danger.
"Get ready! I'm going to launch!" Zhang Yanling shouted loudly.
Xu Youtang reached out and covered his ears. Zhang Yanling held his breath and squinted, aiming at the birds on the tree and pulling the trigger. The faucet hit the iron plate with flint and slid down. The exploding sparks instantly ignited the primer. The moment the primer exploded,
A loud bang was heard, and a cloud of smoke and fire burst out. The scene was very breathtaking.
Along with the fire and smoke sprayed from the muzzle, the huge recoil made Zhang Yanling's arms numb, and he almost dropped the gun from his hand. His ears were also buzzing.
But Zhang Yanling ignored this and stared at the bird on the tree, "Puff!" The bird on the jujube tree spread its wings and flew away, quickly escaping without a trace. The shot was obviously empty.
Before Zhang Yanling could get upset, he heard a clicking sound, and a branch several feet long, as thick as a thumb, that the bird was standing on broke, and fell from the branches of the treetop. It turned out that this shot
It missed the bird, but hit the twig on which it stood.
"Successful!" Zhang Yanling was not upset because he missed the bird. On the contrary, the gunpowder was fired smoothly, hitting the bird's footing and breaking the branch, which was already a great success. The accuracy of the flintlock gun needs practice.
, I didn’t expect to be able to hit every target. All of this has completely met expectations.
"Miss Xu, we succeeded." Zhang Yanling laughed and walked quickly back to Xu Youtang, her excitement palpable.
Xu Youtang also smiled and said: "Congratulations to the Marquis, congratulations to the Marquis."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Congratulations to you too. This is your hard work."
Xu Youtang waved his hand and said: "No, if it weren't for Mr. Hou's wonderful idea, Youtang would not be able to make this kind of firearm."
Zhang Yanling laughed and said, "But without Miss Xu's meticulous craftsmanship, skillful craftsmanship, and labor-intensive production, how would it be possible to achieve today's success?"
Xu Youtang shook his head and said: "No, no, no, without the guidance of the Marquis, Youtang would not know how to start."
Zhang Yanling chuckled and said: "That's all, let's stop flattering each other. In short, we have worked together to achieve this success. Without you and without me, it will be a bit difficult."
Xu Youtang covered his mouth and said with a smile: "What are you talking about, why are you flattering each other? Let's try it a few more times and see. Don't just happen by chance. If everything fails later, it will be ridiculous."
Zhang Yanling laughed and knew that he would have to try a few more times. So Zhang Yanling tried firing several guns in succession, including using shotgun shells, and all of them were successful. The flintlock ignition was stable and reliable, and the accuracy and shooting range met expectations. The purpose is only limited in power by the narrowness of the courtyard. It is not yet known whether it can penetrate chain mail at a distance of a hundred steps. However, there is absolutely no risk of penetrating flesh and blood.
After trying seven or eight shots, Zhang Yanling was basically convinced that the flint-haired bird gun was a success.
"Miss Xu, how can I thank you? You helped me accomplish such a big thing and my wish came true. I'm really happy."
Zhang Yanling held the musket in his hand and looked at it, unable to put it down.
Xu Youtang pursed her lips and smiled, winked at Zhang Yanling and said: "Master Hou, wait a moment, I have something else to give you."