Short muskets {blunderbuss} can have a wide opening, to shoot shot over a wide area.
In guns {breechloader}|, bullet and powder can be separately put into barrel back end {breech, gun}. It became obsolete after cartridges began.
In old muzzle-loading rifle {flintlock}|, using flintlock, hammer struck flint, sparks went through hole in barrel back, and gunpowder ignited. Alternatively, hammer with flint tip hit metal plate {frizzen}, and sparks exploded powder in pan [1600 to 1700].
lighted match explodes powder in pan [1350 to 1400], or muzzle-loading rifle using matchlock {matchlock}.
Rifles {musket} can have a long smooth-bore barrel.
Shooter pushes bullet and charge down muzzle to make it ready to fire {muzzleloader}.
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Date Modified: 2022.0225