Watch Tales of the Gun online: Episode 10 The Rifle

For centuries, they have been the essential artillery weapons, improving with each new generation of soldiers. For centuries after the inception of firearms in the 14th century, hitting a target with a gun was more a matter of luck than anything else. Then, someone discovered that cutting grooves into the barrel of a gun would cause the projectile to spin, stabilizing its flight and actually rewarding aim. Thus the rifle was born. THE RIFLE traces the development of the definitive infantry weapon from the days of the American Revolution (when the Pennsylvania Rifle reigned supreme) to today's M-16s. Weapons experts take us into world-famous collections to examine landmark weapons like the Springfield, Winchester and Garland, detailing not just their technological innovations but also their impact on epic conflicts and history itself. TALES OF THE GUN sights down the long barrel of THE RIFLE for a fascinating look at this important and ubiquitous weapon.

click here to see where to watch or .