ChalupaCabras
Expert
Matchlock to flintlock, ect, were not leaps in technology. There were several small adaptations and failed designes between them that made the next progression possible.
Percussion to metalic cartridge was also not a "leap" there were many breech loading black powder, and paper cartridge guns between them. Google the Needle gun. These were not all obscure guns either - some were adopted for military service.
Semi-smokeless powders existed durring the switch from BP, so even that was not a "leap".
The first bolt actions were single shot weapons, including the early Mausers. Many of the early bolt actions guns that were repeaters used a tube magazine (Gew, Lebel, Vertelli) .
I think your conception of firearms development as a series of leaps preceeded by obscure or insubstantial prototypes is wrong. You just need to do some more research and get outside the mainstream a little bit.
Percussion to metalic cartridge was also not a "leap" there were many breech loading black powder, and paper cartridge guns between them. Google the Needle gun. These were not all obscure guns either - some were adopted for military service.
Semi-smokeless powders existed durring the switch from BP, so even that was not a "leap".
The first bolt actions were single shot weapons, including the early Mausers. Many of the early bolt actions guns that were repeaters used a tube magazine (Gew, Lebel, Vertelli) .
I think your conception of firearms development as a series of leaps preceeded by obscure or insubstantial prototypes is wrong. You just need to do some more research and get outside the mainstream a little bit.