CANNON

The exact time when explosives were first used in engines for projecting mi iles is a matter of controversy. They were certainly used in France in 1338, the first being made of wood, the next (in the 14th century) of bronze and in the 15th century cast iron ordnance came into; use. Leather cannon were invented by Colonel Scott in the time of Charles I., and were used by the army of Gustavus Adolphus at the battle of Leipzig in 1631. They did not come into general use, because a way of lightening metal cannon was discovered. Guns for firing charges of dynamite have been experimented with. Recent improvements are the use of a ‘powder-chamber of greater diameter than the rest of the bore, and the adoption of an increased twist in the rifling instead of a uniform one.