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Musket vs Handgun - What's the difference?

musket | handgun |

As nouns the difference between musket and handgun

is that musket is a species of firearm formerly carried by the infantry of an army it was originally fired by means of a match, or matchlock, for which several mechanical appliances (including the flintlock, and finally the percussion lock) were successively substituted this arm has been superseded by the rifle while handgun is a small gun with a relatively short barrel, designed to be held and operated with a single hand.

musket

English

Alternative forms

* musquet

Noun

(en noun)
  • A species of firearm formerly carried by the infantry of an army. It was originally fired by means of a match, or matchlock, for which several mechanical appliances (including the flintlock, and finally the percussion lock) were successively substituted. This arm has been superseded by the rifle.
    • Soldier, soldier, won't you marry me, with your musket , fife and drum.

    Derived terms

    * musketeer

    Related terms

    * musketoon

    See also

    * ("musket" on Wikipedia) ----

    handgun

    English

    (wikipedia handgun)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A small gun with a relatively short barrel, designed to be held and operated with a single hand.

    • Synonyms

    * pistol

    Hyponyms

    * derringer * revolver