Weapons from 1492-1750

During this time period close range sword combat was completely overrun with the new development of gun powdered weapons during the "gunpowder revolution". This revolution was the birthplace of the desire of these weapons into warfare as corned powder became the main power source for these bronze rifles and pistols¹. These weapons include muskets, rifles, flintlocks, heavy canons, aquebus, and many others which these weapons dominated these wars during this time².

Columbus conquest of North America was huge massacre for the Natives as their weapons could not compete with the Spaniards weapons. The Spaniards used rifles, flintlocks, and many other gun powderded weapons which the Natives believe were weapons that were completely unfair and completely different from their bows and swords that they had used for their entire life ³. This allowed the Spaniards to completely dominate and take over North America with ease. The Spaniards also had ships with many canons that although many Indians tried to fight back with their stealth tactics and their best knives they still could match the sheer weaponry power that the Spaniards used against them in the battle of Cibola⁴. Not only that but during the capturing of Jesus Lubec the spaniards used their rifle formation along with their naval fleet in order to capture wipe out Lubecs army with these Natives trying their best with their weaponry ⁵.

Armies around the world had changed their fighting style focusing more on small groups wearing light armor and carrying rifles. These small groups used coordinated attacks in order to maximize the efficiency on gun weapons and put their enemies at major disadvantages ⁶ . This was dominant for many wars as this was the most efficient style of fighting with the guns during this time.

1. Guilmartin, J.F. "military technology." Encyclopedia Britannica, October 22, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/technology/military-technology.

2. Osinloye, Adediran. "Smithsonian Learning Lab Collection: Weapons of the Revolutionary Period." Smithsonian Learning Lab. September 25, 2017. Accessed December 10, 2025.

3. Christopher Columbus to Luis de Santangel, April 1493, American Journeys, Wisconsin
Historical Society Library and Archives.
https://americanjourneys.org/AJ_PDF/aj-063.pdf .

4. Don Antonio de Mendoza to Emperors Maiestie, 1528, American Journeys, Wisconsin
Historical Society Library and Archives.
https://americanjourneys.org/AJ_PDF/aj-071.pdf .

5. Hawkins, John. “The Third Troublesome Voyage Made With the Jesus of Lubec, 1567-
1568.” American Journeys, Wisconsin Historical Society Library and Archives.
https://americanjourneys.org/AJ_PDF/aj-031.pdf .

6. Niel, Rhiannon O’. “Decisive Destruction: Firearms in North America, 1492-1776.” Decisive destruction: Firearms in North America, 1492-1776, 2018. https://projects.cah.ucf.edu/economyofgoods/index.php/2018/10/11/decisive-destruction-firearms-in-north-america-1492-1776/.