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English
Etymology
Learned borrowing from Middle English handgonne. Doublet of handgun.
Noun
handgonne (plural handgonnes)
- (historical) A handheld pre-matchlock black-powder gun.
1894, W. H. James, Modern Strategy:mere dry-as-dust knowledge of how Cæsar invaded Gaul, or Hannibal Italy, is about as useful as a knowledge of the "handgonne" would be for working a 12-pounder breech-loader.
2010, Sean McLachlan, Medieval Handgonnes, Osprey Publishing, page 4:It is not known exactly when handheld black-powder weapons were first used, nor when the handgonne was later replaced by the matchlock.