Musket

Musket, shoulder firearm developed in Spain in the 16th century and used into the 19th century. A musket could be 5.5–7 ft (1.7–2.1 m) long and weigh 20–40 lb (9–18.1 kg). It was loaded from the muzzle with a single ball, or a ball plus small lead shot, and fired by igniting a powder charge. Unlike the rifle, the musket had a smooth bore; this made it an inaccurate weapon against targets beyond 100 yd (91 m). The matchlock, the earliest musket, was succeeded by the flintlock, caplock, and wheel lock.