A musket is a type of long gun that was widely used from the 16th to the 19th centuries, primarily by infantry soldiers. Early muskets were smoothbore firearms, meaning they had a smooth interior barrel, which made them less accurate at long ranges compared to later rifled guns. They were typically loaded with gunpowder and a lead ball or shot, and they could fire single projectiles or multiple shots.
Muskets were commonly used in military engagements and were typically fired from the shoulder. They underwent various modifications over the years, with advancements such as the addition of rifled barrels, which improved accuracy, and the use of percussion caps instead of flintlocks for ignition.
Musket design evolved into more modern firearms, and they played a significant role in military history, particularly during the American Revolutionary War, the Napoleonic Wars, and the American Civil War. Notable examples include the Brown Bess musket and the Springfield Model 1861.