👉 The Berkeley Weapon, also known as the Berkeley Gun or the Berkeley Rifle, is a type of early smokeless powder firearm developed in the late 19th century by Frank J. Berkeley at the University of California, Berkeley. It is notable for being one of the first practical designs that utilized smokeless powder, which significantly reduced smoke and improved accuracy compared to traditional blackpowder firearms. The Berkeley Weapon featured a unique barrel design with a series of rifling grooves that helped stabilize the bullet's flight, and it was loaded using a cartridge with a hollow base, allowing for a more efficient and consistent firing process. Despite its innovative features, the weapon was not widely adopted due to manufacturing challenges and competition from more established firearms designs. However, it laid important groundwork for future developments in firearm technology.
