Arquebus

spelled also Harquebus. The earliest form of the musket. An earlier firearm was set off by means of a match applied to the priming. It was difficult for a soldier to apply his match and to take aim at the same time. The arquebus added an improvement suggested, it is said, by the arbalest or crossbow. The burning match was brought down to the priming by pulling a trigger when aim had been secured. This was about 1476. The Germans are credited with the invention of a bent stock, which enabled the musketeer to take better aim. These old muskets were exceedingly heavy, clumsy affairs. When engaged in battle, the musketeers advanced to the front, rested their arquebuses in crotches carried for the purpose, discharged their pieces, and then retired behind their comrades, the pikemen, and reloaded their guns with infinite labor. See Firearms