An example of a Dwarf handgun
Handguns are black powder weapons that are widely used by the more technologically advanced peoples of the Old World. Handguns were first invented by the Dwarfs, although evidence of the invention and use of powerful black powder weaponry also exists among the ruins of the lost ancient civilisation of the Skytitans of the Ancient Giant Lands in the Far East.
Operation and Construction[]
The simplest handguns are made using a metal barrel mounted on a wooden stock. The crudest versions are little more than small, hand-held cannons, which the user fires by poking a length of burning cord, known as a match, into a small touch-hole to ignite the charge of blackpowder. More advanced versions have firing mechanisms (locks) which use levers and springs to mechanise the firing process. The most advanced of these use self-ignition mechanisms (such as flintlocks) which remove the need for a match.
Only the Dwarfs can build the most accurate and the most reliable of handguns, as black powder weapons are relatively new to the rest of the Old World, especially in the Empire -- which nevertheless uses vast quantities of these weapons. In the Far East, Grand Cathay is also a relatively advanced manufacturer of handguns -- their black powder being the best in the Known World.[2a]
Handguns other than those of the Dwarfs are of much cruder construction -- wildly inaccurate and prone to misfire -- limiting the weapons only to the most skilled and disciplined of soldiers.
Notable Handguns[]
- Dwarf handguns - As one of the first races to ever use black powder weaponry the Dwarfs are highly skilled and knowledgeable in the use of handguns. Dwarfen handguns are more accurate and more reliable compare to those of Human manufacture and they incorporate many adjustments depending on the Dwarf who uses the weapon, such as scopes or a bayonet.
- Chaos Dwarf handguns - In addition to the more widely used blunderbuss, a repeating handgun known as the Fireglaive is in use with the elite Infernal Guard of the Chaos Dwarfs.
- Imperial handguns - As a sign of their alliance, the Dwarfs shared most of their technology and innovations with the Men of the Empire; these innovations include black powder weapons and the knowledge required to create them. Most Imperial handguns came from the city of Nuln where the Imperial Gunnery School is located. The use of handguns is slowly phasing out the use of the bow or crossbow as the primary ranged infantry weapon among the realms of Men. Due to the cost of fielding such weapons, only the most powerful and wealthy of Human nations field handguns in their armies in high numbers for these weapons tend to be highly inaccurate and prone to misfires. Several variants exist, including the standard Imperial handgun, the Repeater Handgun which uses multiple barrels to provide a multi-shot capability and the Hochland Long Rifle.
- Cathayan handguns - Historical evidence indicates that the Cathayans utilised handguns as early as -1740 IC, when Cathayan diplomats to Nehekhara displayed the use of so-called "dragon-staves" and miniature versions of those weapons. Two known variants of Cathayan handguns currently exist: a short-barreled, blunderbuss-like Iron Hail Gun and a long-barreled, jezzail-like Crane Gun.[2a]
- Ogre handguns - Ogre Maneaters that have sold their swords across the Empire often pick up specially modified black powder weapons as recompense for their efforts; these are regarded as symbols of great status due to their ability to create great noise and violence in equal measure. Such is the size and strength of their owners that Ogres use such weapons with the ease a Human uses a pistol. The most common of these customised black powder weapons is an Imperial handgun with a massively enlarged trigger and guard; most Maneaters have at least one of these devices in their possession and some may sport a brace of these handguns across their puffed-out guts.[1a]
- Zombie Pirate handguns - The Undead forces of Luthor Harkon's Vampire Coast commonly use black powder weapons, including handguns, which are presumably of Imperial make.
- Skaven handguns - The Skaven are prolific users of black powder weapons, including the Warplock Jezzail as well as an unknown type of pistol.
- Kislevite handguns - Kislevite Streltsi are armed with one of two types of handgun: either a conventional one in combination with a bardiche which is used as a stand for the handgun; or a handgun with an ax head as a stock. However, black powder weapons are in general far less common in Kislev than in the Empire.