Huochong was the Chinese name for hand cannons.[1] The oldest confirmed metal huochong, also the first cannon, is a bronze hand cannon bearing an inscription dating it to 1298 (see Xanadu gun).[2]
By the time of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) two types of huochong were in use. One was a hand held version with a wooden shaft known as a shouchong (Chinese: 手銃) whilst the larger Wankouchong (Chinese: 碗口銃 — bowl-mouthed cannon) or Zhankouchong (Chinese: 盏口銃 — cup-mouthed cannon)[3] rested on a supporting wooden frame. It was invented presumably as an advance in warfare, a new way to fight.
The Wankou Chong, translated literally as bowl-muzzle gun was a type of Huochong gun used in the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties.[4] [5] The cannons normally contained black powder, a wooden block or frame to contain the powder, and a large cannonball or a group of smaller cannonballs. The cannon was most commonly used to protect Chinese ports and to defend against pirates.[6] [7] The cannon faded out of use gradually due to its short barrel, slow rate of fire, and short range.