Timeline of Guns By 14927132 Sep 24, 1000 gunpowder was invented Gunpowder was invented by china about this time Period: Sep 24, 1000 to Sep 24, 2009 yimespan of guns Sep 24, 1250 manufacturing weapons china started to manufactur guns at this time May 15, 1718 James Puckle, a London lawyer, patented the world's 1st machine gun Jul 18, 1814 Samuel Colt, inventor of the first practical revolver, was born. Mar 5, 1836 Samuel Colt manufactured the 1st pistol, a 34-caliber "Texas" model. May 5, 1836 Samuel Colt manufactured the 1st pistol, a 34-caliber "Texas" model. Jul 31, 1849 Benjamin Chambers patented a breech loading cannon. Aug 8, 1854 Smith and Wesson patented metal bullet cartridges. (MC, 8/8/02) Oct 4, 1862 Odore R. Timby patented a revolving gun turret. Jul 7, 1912 US army tested the 1st machine gun mounted on a plane. Oct 4, 1941 Aug 20, Adolf Hitler authorized the development of the V-2 missile. Jun 14, 1942 The first bazooka rocket gun, produced in Bridgeport, Ct., demolished a tank from its shoulder-held position.