handgonne

English

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Middle English handgonne. Doublet of handgun.

Noun

handgonne (plural handgonnes)

1. (historical) A handheld pre-matchlock black-powder gun.
   • 1894, W. H. James, Modern Strategy:

     mere dry-as-dust knowledge of how Cæsar invaded Gaul, or Hannibal Italy, is about as useful as a knowledge of the "handgonne" would be for working a 12-pounder breech-loader.

   • 2010, Sean McLachlan, Medieval Handgonnes, Osprey Publishing, page 4:

     It is not known exactly when handheld black-powder weapons were first used, nor when the handgonne was later replaced by the matchlock.