Firearms That Shaped The World: Can You Identify All 50?

By: Narra Jackson
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Firearms That Shaped The World: Can You Identify All 50?
Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

"Put 'em up, Tex!" Firearms have shaped the world continuously since their invention. The romanticized pop culture version of the Old West made guns as famous as the gunslingers that used them. However, the story of firearms dates back to the eighth century with a device called a fire lance, which was essentially a gunpowder-filled tube with a lance and shrapnel. It wasn't until the 19th century that guns were heavily manufactured and saw significant improvements in design and performance. 

For example, there was 'The Peacemaker,' which helped cowboys and fortune-seekers "win the West." The Uzi, another well-known firearm, was notorious for its quick-fire ability to create mass destruction in a short period of time. The Tommy gun was popular both in war-time and with gangsters from New York to  L.A. The Winchester rifle was so popular that the widow of the founder, Sarah Winchester, was said to have feared the spirits of victims who died from the Winchester rifle, and in turn, built one of the strangest houses in the U.S.A. as a ploy to keep them away.

So, can you recognize these guns from a screenshot? It takes a sharp-shooter to take this quiz. Are you up for the challenge?

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Can you name this Israeli gun?
Spencer Repeating Rifle
Uzi
The Uzi was developed by an Israeli Captain in the 1940s for an international competition to design a new kind of submachine gun. The manufacturer, named Gal Uziel, did not want the gun to be named after him, but it was.
Brown Bess
1862 Gatling Gun

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What is the name of this military rifle?
M16
The M16 is a military adaptation of the Armalite AR-15 rifle. The M16 entered the military in 1964 for service and was deployed the following year to be used for warfare in the Vietnam War. In 1969 it became the US Military standard service rifle.
Lee-Enfield
Winchester Model 12
Browning Auto-5

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Can you name this gas-operated weapon?
Brown Bess
Philadelphia Derringer
Model 1911
Remington 1100
The Remington 1100 is a gas-operated semi-automatic shotgun. It is commonly used by sportsmen. The Remington 1100 is the first semi-automatic shotgun that was produced specifically to have less of a recoil, weigh less, and shoot more reliably.

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What is the name of this pump-action shotgun?
Brown Bess
Mossberg 500
The Mossberg 500 is a series of pump-action shotguns. This gun was introduced in 1961, then was fitted with dual-action bars in 1970. There is a less expensive gun called the Mossberg Maverick 88, but it has fewer features than the Mossberg 500.
Teddy Roosevelt’s H&H Double Rifle
1862 Gatling Gun

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What kind of lever-action repeating rifle is this?
Colt 1851 Navy
Winchester 1873
The Winchester 1873 is a lever-action repeating rifle made by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. This arms company was originally called New Haven Arms. The first Winchester rifle was created in 1866.
1862 Gatling Gun
Lee-Enfield

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What is the name of this gun used by Clint Eastwood in "Dirty Harry?"
Smith & Wesson Model 29
The Smith & Wesson Model 29 is one of the most common guns used in American pop culture. Most famously, Clint Eastwood used one when he played Harry Callahan in the 1971 movie, "Dirty Harry." Most recently, it was used in the 1988 film, "The Deadpool."
Philadelphia Derringer
Glock 17
Knight MK-85

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Can you name this once-popular military gun?
Colt 1851 Navy
Springfield 1903
Winchester Model 12
The U.S. Armed Forces used a variety of versions of the Winchester Model 12 during World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the early part of the Vietnam War. Inventory was eventually exhausted after its initial production stopped in 1964. It is not commonly used anymore.
Mauser 98

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Can you name this gun that's been in production since the middle of the 20th century?
Philadelphia Derringer
Remington 870
Since its production began in January of 1950, more than ten million Remington 870 guns have sold. Remington makes over 800 different styles of guns. Remington launched over 15 different styles of the Remington 870.
Lee-Enfield
Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle-Musket

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What is the name of this 0.22 semi-automatic?
Smith & Wesson Model 10
Colt 1873 Single Action Army
Browning Auto-5
Ruger Standard (Mark I)
The Ruger Standard (Mark I) is considered to be the godfather of .22 semi-automatics. It was first introduced in 1949 by Sturm, Ruger, & Co. and is the original member of a succession of products within its line.

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Can you name this popular handgun?
Browning Auto-5
Springfield 1903
Smith & Wesson Model 10
Glock 19
The Glock 19 is one of the most popular guns around. Law enforcement officers especially love it, and, in the New York City Police Department, the Glock 19 is the most popularly used of all the authorized handguns. People say the balance between the weight and the capacity is what draws them.

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What is the name of the most common weapon in the world, seen here?
AK-47
The AK-47 has made it into the Guinness Book of World Records as the most common weapon in the world. Estimates say there are over 100 million guns in active use today. Russia produces these guns worldwide and has issued licenses to over 30 countries to produce.
Maxim Gun
Colt 1851 Navy
Spencer Repeating Rifle

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What is the name of this German machine gun?
Mauser 98
MG-42
An incredibly powerful machine gun, the MG-42 was designed in Germany in 1938 and was immediately placed in action on all fronts by mid-1942. It was used in the movie, "Aliens," in 1986.
Winchester Model 12
Glock 17

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Can you name this survival rifle?
Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle-Musket
Spencer Repeating Rifle
Ruger 10/22
The Ruger 10/22 is considered one of the best survival rifles on the market, not only for its shooting capability, but also because it is one of the most affordable guns in the world. It also has a low recoil, which means it can be fired by almost anyone, regardless of size and strength.
Colt 1851 Navy

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What is the name of this revolver?
Philadelphia Derringer
Smith & Wesson Model 60
The Smith & Wesson Model 60 is a 5-shot revolver that is chambered in a .38 or a .357 magnum caliber. It is the first revolver produced from stainless steel.
Colt 1873 Single Action Army
1862 Gatling Gun

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Can you identify this double-action pistol?
1862 Gatling Gun
Teddy Roosevelt’s H&H Double Rifle
Walther P-38
The Walther P-38 was used in the movie "Saints and Soldiers" in 2003, although it is commonly misidentified as a "Luger." It was the first military grade double-action pistol.
Knight MK-85

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Can you name this WWII gun?
M1 Garand
The designer of the M1 Garand, John C. Garand, was a civil servant working in the U.S. Springfield Armory during World War II, where he received two medals for his production of this gun. Unfortunately, he earned no extra bonuses or money for the honor.
Philadelphia Derringer
Spencer Repeating Rifle
Brown Bess

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What is the name of this gun that feeds ammunition at a rate of hundreds of rounds per minute?
Mauser 98
Maxim Gun
Model 1911
Thompson Submachine Gun
The Thompson Submachine Gun is most commonly known as the "Tommy Gun." This is one of the most revolutionary machine guns ever made. This gun feeds ammunition at a rate of 600-725 rounds per minute.

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Can you identify this weapon?
Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle-Musket
Philadelphia Derringer
Spencer Repeating Rifle
Marlin Model 60
The Marlin Model 60 hit its 50th anniversary in 2010. Over 11 million of them have been built.

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What is the name of this reliable sidearm?
Colt 1903
The Colt 1903 was intended to be a sidearm or backup gun in case your original gun misfired or jammed. It was not manufactured to be accurate or tight. Instead, the manufacturer focused on its ability to function, which is where it performed very well.
AK-47
Smith & Wesson
Glock 17

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Can you identify this sporting weapon?
H&H Double Rifle
In 1883 , the prevalent sporting publication "The Field" initiated a competition that would establish who had the best sporting and shooting rifle in the UK. The Field Rifle Trials were fought across ten classes. Holland and Holland's H&H Double Rifle finished first in every class.
Glock 17
Spencer Repeating Rifle
1862 Gatling Gun

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What is the name of this semi-automatic shotgun?
Lee-Enfield
Browning Auto-5
The Browning Auto-5 is a recoil-operated semi-automatic shotgun, designed by the infamous John Browning. This was the first successful semi-automatic shotgun design, and it remained in production until 1998. Its name establishes that it has an autoloader with a capacity of five rounds.
Mauser 98
Smith & Wesson Model 10

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Can you name this military-grade gun?
Magnum 357
Maxim Gun
Philadelphia Derringer
Springfield 1903
The Springfield 1903 was officially adopted as a military grade weapon in 1903. It saw most of its use in World War I, but was still used a bit in World War II. It has stayed popular as a civilian firearm, historical collector's piece, and as a military drill rifle.

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What is the name of this weapon which is currently in use worldwide?
Benelli Black Eagle
Smith & Wesson Model 10
The Smith & Wesson Model 10 is still widely used today. It is used by French cash couriers and banks, some disciplined services in Hong Kong, the Myanmar Police Force, other Burmese paramilitary units and the Peruvian national police.
Teddy Rooselvelt’s H&H Double Rifle
Brown Bess

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What is the name of this German gun?
Spencer Repeating Rifle
Mauser 98
The Mauser 98, a standard operated shoulder army weapon for the Germans, was used most commonly during World War II. It was made for export sale by Mauser in 1936 and was called the "Mauser Standard." It is believed this gun is held in reserve stocks in considerable numbers.
Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle-Musket
Colt 1851 Navy

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Can you name this gun that used to be the standard rifle of the British army?
Winchester Model 12
Lee Enfield SMLE 303 Rifle
The Lee Enfield SMLE 303 Rifle was the main firearm used by the military forces of the British Empire and Commonwealth for the first half of the 20th century. It was the standard rifle for the British army from 1895-1957.
Browning Auto-5
Model 1911

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Can you identify this gun that was manufactured on an assembly line?
Mauser 98
Colt SAA
Over a half-century before Henry Ford used assembly lines in his automobile factories, Colt used them to produce his revolvers in the huge Hartford armory, starting in the 1850s. The Colt SAA was so successful partly because Colt was a master marketer and incredible self-promoter.
Maxim Gun
Lee-Enfield

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What is the name of this hunting rifle?
Smith & Wesson Model 10
Springfield 1903
Winchester Model 94
The Winchester Model 94 has become one of the most famous and popular hunting rifles. The Model 94 has been referred to as the "ultimate lever-action design" by firearm historians. It was also the first commercial sporting rifle to sell over 7,000,000 units.
Browning Auto-5

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Can you name this machine gun?
1862 Gatling Gun
The 1862 Gatling Gun is a hand-driven machine gun. This was the first gun to solve the problems of loading, reliability, and firing sustained bursts. It was invented by Richard Gatling during the American Civil War and was later used in the Spanish-American War.
Winchester Model 12
Model 1911
Teddy Roosevelt’s H&H Double Rifle

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What is the name of this weapon used in the Crimean War?
Ruger Number One
Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle-Musket
When Russia and Turkey were at war, Britain knew it was only a matter of time until they were forced to be involved. They were in the midst of transforming their significant weapons from smoothbore to musket rifles. The Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle-Musket was one of the more commonly used weapons for the Crimean war, after this transformation.
CZ-75
Ruger 10/22

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Can you identify this gun that's popular in Western films?
Smith & Wesson Model 60
Knight MK-85
Winchester 1886
The Winchester 1886 was featured in a film called "The Edge" in 1997. The Winchester repeating rifle started to be known as "the gun that won the west" for the role it played in settling the western United States. Oliver Winchester oversaw almost every rifle development the company made in the nineteenth century.
Remington 700

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What is the name of this 19th century weapon?
Glock 17
Marlin Model 60
Weatherby Mark V
Spencer Repeating Rifle
The Spencer Repeating Rifle was actually manufactured by three different manufacturers from 1860-1869. It was designed by Christopher Spencer so that the cartridges were fed from a magazine in the rifle's buttstock.

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Can you name this small handgun?
Ruger Number One
Philadelphia Derringer
The Philadelphia Derringer is known by some as the gun that changed history. It was a small percussion handgun, designed by Henry Derringer, produced from 1852 to 1868. This gun was rather difficult to prepare to fire.
Remington 1100
M-16

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What is the name of this American Civil War era gun?
Henry Repeating Rifle
The Henry Repeating Rifle was used heavily during the Civil War. It was the weapon of choice among the soldiers in this war from 1861-1865. These guns were not ones that were automatically issued by the forces, but soldiers would try to get their hands on one if they could.
CZ-75
Ruger 10/22
Mossberg 500

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Can you name this gun used by both sides during the American Revolution?
Knight MK-85
Smith & Wesson
AK-47
Brown Bess
Some call Brown Bess the weapon that won Waterloo. Variations of the Brown Bess were used by both sides during the American Revolution. It was originally developed in 1722. It was a heavy weapon, weighing more than 10 pounds.

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Can you name this gun used for both hunting and in wars?
Glock 17
American Long Rifle
The American Long Rifle is also known as a longrifle, Kentucky rifle, or Pennsylvania rifle. This was one of the first rifles commonly used for hunting and in wars. One characteristic is its unusually long barrel, which is widely believed to be a unique American feature.
Weatherby Mark V
Smith & Wesson Model 29

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Can you identify this gun that was originally known as a "Ranger?"
Knight MK-85
Remington 1100
Colt 1851 Navy
The Colt 1851 Navy is also known as the Colt Navy or the Navy Revolver. It is a cap and ball revolver designed by Samuel Colt between 1847-1850. Colt first called this revolver a Ranger, but Navy quickly became more popular. This gun remained in production until 1873.
Glock 17

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What is the name of this American gun?
Winchester Model 1897
A Chinese company called Norinco successfully tried to replicate the Winchester Model 1897. Their reproduction of this firearm, the Norinco 97, is an almost exact copy of the Winchester Model 1897, produced in both Trench and Riot grades.
Winchester Model 12
Colt 1851 Navy
Benelli Black Eagle

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Can you name this gun used in big-game hunting?
Mauser 98
Lee-Enfield
Ruger No. 1
The Ruger No. 1 falling block is an extremely capable rifle and is often used when shooting larger game, or where shots will be consistent with regard to their positioning. It is most often used for an animal like a grizzly bear.
Maxim Gun

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What is the name of this weapon that can be broken-down in just a few minutes?
Benelli Super Black Eagle II Shotgun
At $1,899, the Benelli Super Black Eagle II Shotgun is the second most expensive SBE II in Benelli's lineup. A cool thing about this gun is that the bolt assembly, which makes up the heart of this gun, can be broken down in just a few minutes, which is unique for a gun of its complexity.
Winchester Model 12
Model 1911
Teddy Rooselvelt’s H&H Double Rifle

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Can you identify this muzzle-loader?
Knight MK-85
The Knight MK-85 is referred to as a muzzle loader. This gun is a six-time winner of the Muzzleloader Manufacturers Accuracy Competition. When muzzleloader manufacturers square off in a shooting competition for accuracy, Knight rifles always win.
Smith & Wesson Model 60
Ruger 10/22
Benelli Black Eagle

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What is the name of this gun that the Russian army used during WWI?
Winchester 1895
At the beginning of World War I, the Russian Army was the most formidable force in the world. However, they were low on supplies and equipment, and over a third of their army didn't even have guns. This ended when the Winchester 1895 arrived.
CZ-75
Remington 700
Ruger No. 1

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Can you name this sniper rifle?
Springfield 1903
Winchester Model 70
During the Vietnam War, the Marines brought the Winchester Model 70 into service as a sniper rifle. Gunnery Sergeant Carlos N. Hathcock II actually became legendary for his skills as a Marine sniper during this time.
Smith & Wesson Model 10
Mauser 98

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What is the name of this 0.50 caliber weapon?
Teddy Roosevelt’s H&H Double Rifle
Browning M2
The Browning M2 is the original name of the .50 caliber machine gun. The prototype was developed by John Browning in 1918, during WWI, when the world was finally saying goodbye to ditch and trench warfare.
Browning Auto-5
Springfield 1903

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Can you name this gun that was originally manufactured in secret?
Teddy Roosevelt’s H&H Double Rifle
CZ-75
The CZ-75 actually started out during original manufacturing as a secret, although it is a very well-known gun today. Czechoslovakia invited one of their former gun engineers into their workspace to design this gun, secretly, so at the time it had patents that weren't available on the open market.
Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle-Musket
Benelli Black Eagle

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What is the name of this popular military gun?
1862 Gatling Gun
Philadelphia Derringer
Colt 1873 Single Action Army
Maxim Gun
Hiram Maxim invented the Maxim Gun in 1884, while he was living in England. It was actually manufactured by Vickers and was sometimes referred to as the Vickers-Maxim gun. This gun was used by every major military power.

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What is the name of this pistol?
Smith & Wesson Model 10
Colt 1873 Single Action Army
Lee-Enfield
Browning Hi-Power
The Browning Hi-Power is considered by some to be the original pistol. The makers discontinued manufacturing this gun in 2017.

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Can you identify this bolt-action rifle?
Remington 700
The Remington 700 is actually part of a series of bolt-action rifles manufactured by Remington Arms, developed over the course of 50+ years since 1962. This gun is specifically designed for mass production and has multiple variations that come stock.
Maxim Gun
Benelli Black Eagle
Colt 1873 Single Action Army

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Can you name this gun that's manufactured in California?
Winchester Model 12
Weatherby Mark V
The Weatherby Mark V is a centerfire bolt-action rifle that is manufactured in Paso Robles, California. It was first introduced in 1957 and it is the flagship rifle of the Weatherby line of firearms.
Browning Auto-5
Smith & Wesson Model 10

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What is the name of this military rifle, whose predecessor was popular in the 1930s?
Mauser 98
Springfield 1903
M-14
The M-14 rifle was developed in a long line of rifles, starting with the M1. The M1 was among the most advanced rifles of the 1930s, but it was not an ideal weapon. Modifications were already being made during its use in World War II.
Model 1911

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Can you identify this single-action revolver?
Glock 17
Maxim Gun
Colt 1873 Single Action Army
Ruger Blackhawk/Super Blackhawk
The Ruger Blackhawk/Super Blackhawk is one of the guns that was used heavily in Westerns in the 1950s. In 1953, there were few single-action revolvers that could be used in cowboy films, so this gun saw gains in popularity and use during this time.

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