John Moses Browning patented recoil-powered automatic gun in 1900. Water-cooled prototype built in 1910, improved with bottom ejection. Weighing 47 pounds, lighter than Maxim and Vickers guns. First test fired 20,000 rounds with exceptional reliability
Gunstock provides structural support for barrel, action, and firing mechanism. Divided into butt (rear) and fore-end (front) parts. Modern designs often replace fore-end with receiver and handguard
New artillery could fire high explosive shells farther and faster. Artillery concentration became common in trench warfare. Mortars were revived by Germans for trench warfare. Chemical weapon emission was introduced by Germans in 1915
Earliest arrowheads made of stone and organic materials. Oldest known arrowheads date to 74,000 years ago in Ethiopia. Stone points from 64,000 years ago found in South Africa. Native Americans used Alligator gar scales as arrow heads
War began July 28, 1914 with Archduke Franz Ferdinand's assassination. Triggered by tensions between European nations and rising nationalism. Germany's Schlieffen Plan aimed to knock France out of war
Shotgun successfully tested in harsh Alaskan conditions with sea ducks. Handled salt, sand, cold, and high winds effectively. Made accurate shots at 40 yards with feet down