Theche dian chong (simplified Chinese:掣电铳;traditional Chinese:掣電銃;lit. 'lightning quick firearm') is abreech-loading,cartridge-usingmusket invented byZhao Shizhen (趙士禎) during theMing dynasty for thedynasty's arsenals.[1] Like all early breech loading fireams, gas leakage was a limitation and danger present in the weapon's mechanism.[2]
Thezi mu chong is also a breech loading musket, the earliestbreech-loader musket known. It was indigenously developed in China in the late 16th century.[3]
