Fire and Steel: The Story of the Gun

Explore the captivating history of the gun, from the accidental discovery of gunpowder in 9th-century China to the advanced, modular smart rifles of the 21st century. This documentary traces the evolution of firearms through key inventions like the matchlock, flintlock, and percussion cap, and examines iconic weapons such as the Brown Bess, the AK-47, and the M16. Discover how this revolutionary invention reshaped battlefield tactics, toppled empires, and forever altered the course of human history. 00:00 The Gun That Killed a King 02:33 Accidental Alchemy: Gunpowder's Secret 03:56 The Matchlock Ends Archery's Reign 11:00 The Baker Rifle Double the Deadly Range 13:22 Minié Bullet Sparks Small-Arms Revolution 16:00 Dreyse Needle Gun Changes Warfare Forever 18:52 Spencer Repeater Fires 14 Shots a Minute 21:49 Samuel Colt Unveils The Peacemaker 35:00 MP18: World's First Combat Submachine Gun 46:48 Soviet Tank Mechanic Invents the AK-47 Watch more related documentaries in our playlist    • History