Huochong

Huochong (simplified Chinese: 火铳; traditional Chinese: 火銃) was the Chinese name for hand cannons. The oldest confirmed metal huochong, also the first cannon, is a bronze hand cannon bearing an inscription dating it to 1298.

By the time of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) two types of huochong were in use. One was a hand held version with a wooden shaft known as a shouchong (手铳) whilst the larger Wankouchong (碗口铳） or Zhankouchong (盏口铳) rested on a supporting wooden frame.