What is regarded as the world's first easily portable mechanical repeating weapon to enter and stay in military use, and in which conflict was it last seen?

author

I am not an expert in this field, so I have to make a guess: The M1911 pistol? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1911_pistol Designed in 1911, it is still being used in the Iraq War. http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/history/meusoc.htm Apr 28 08, 3:16 PM

Baloo55th

Nope, sorry. This one isn't in military use nowadays. It's repeating but not automatic. Apr 28 08, 3:49 PM

BRY2K

Could it be a repeating rifle? During the Civil War, the Army introduced the first magazine, or repeating rifle. This weapon held several bullets and could be reloaded quickly. By World War II, the modern rifle was the M-1 semiautomatic, which carried eight rounds and did not have to be cocked between shots. In Vietnam War, soldiers used the M-16 automatic rifle, which fired several shots each time the trigger was pulled. http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-498312/article-9063223 Apr 28 08, 4:07 PM

Baloo55th

Slightly closer in idea, but not the semi-automatic bit. Still way off target, though. [sorry...] [no, i'm not] Far less likely in concept and obviousness (new word there? maybe - or should it be obviosity?). [no, that wasn't a clue] Apr 28 08, 4:36 PM

sequoianoir

I wonder if you are referring to the Chinese repeating crossbow. I've known about this since I was 15 years old, in the 5th form at school, when for my 'O' level Woodwork thesis I did a history of archery and included diagrams of various bows including the Chinese repeating crossbow. I actually made one as well, a Crossbow that is - just a normal single shot version. It IS "easily portable" and a "mechanical repeating weapon" but the following link says "Though the antiquity of the repeating crossbow is so great that the date of its introduction is beyond conjecture" it doesn't actually give any suggestion. http://www.atarn.org/chinese/rept_xbow.htm This article says it was used in the "war between China and Japan, 1894-95" and " it is to this day carried by Chinese soldiers in the more remote districts of their empire." ALSO "The interesting and unique feature of this crossbow is its repeating action, which though so crudely simple acts perfectly and enables the crossbowman to discharge ten arrows in fifteen seconds." NOW THAT'S FAST !!! HOWEVER, to give it a "world's first" accolade this wikipedia gives it a minimum of 2000 years usage and probably nearer 3000 years since it was invented. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repeating_crossbow "Repeating crossbows have a long history, starting in the Chou dynasty in 1064 B.C with the oldest accurate written record dating back to the Han Dynasty (ca. 200 BC-220 AD) in China." Apr 28 08, 7:03 PM

Baloo55th

If you want to make a repeating one, there are plans available. Yay! One heck of a weapon for its day. Normally, the crossbow is fairly slow (though powerful), but this gadget combined the power with speed. Comparatively simple technology compared with that used in firearms, but still kept on till? Two part question........ Apr 29 08, 1:27 PM

author

What about the Browning Auto-5? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browning_Auto-5 Apr 29 08, 9:00 PM

sequoianoir

So Baloo, my previous "This article says it was used in the "war between China and Japan, 1894-95" and " it is to this day carried by Chinese soldiers in the more remote districts of their empire." is not its most recent use in battle ??? Apr 30 08, 4:06 AM

Baloo55th

I got it up to the China-Japan War - hadn't found they still used the things! I think it beats the Browning (ANY Browning...) by about 3000 years (give or take). Apr 30 08, 11:27 AM