In the early transition from the long-lived flintlock system, handgun development closely paralleled that of the long arms.
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The caplock revolvers took on a separate evolution and remained state of the art long after the widespread appearance of cartridge firing rifles and shotguns.
With the advent of the revolving pistols, however; came patents that created monopolies in revolver production and the through-bored cylinder necessary for self-contained metallic cartridges.
In the early transition from the long-lived flintlock system, handgun development closely paralleled that of the long arms