Before delving into the ammunition sketches, Miguel decided it was crucial to draw the details of the rifle and pistol bodies. He knew that the structure of these weapons would need to be robust, durable, and comfortable for the soldiers to handle, and that wood would be the ideal material for these components.
Miguel began sketching the rifle body. He envisioned an elegant and sturdy piece of wood that would serve as the base of the weapon. The wood would need to be of high quality, capable of withstanding the impact of the shot and providing a comfortable feel for the shooter. He opted for an ergonomic design, with a slightly curved stock so that the rifle would fit perfectly against the user's shoulder, providing stability and accuracy during firing. The trigger guard would be made of steel, but the rest of the body, including the stock and grip, would be entirely wooden.
As he drew, Miguel thought of the barony of Cedric, specializing in carpentry, which had recently joined the kingdom of Drakmoor. The barony of Ironwood was known for its vast forests and the skill of its carpenters in transforming wood into truly functional works of art. Miguel knew that the carpenters of Ironwood would be the perfect partners to produce the wooden parts of his new rifles and pistols.
Miguel then began to sketch the body of the pistol. The design would be more compact but equally robust. The pistol's grip would have an ergonomic shape, allowing it to fit comfortably in the shooter's hand, while the wooden base would be reinforced with steel at critical points to ensure durability. Miguel sketched the grip with a slight indentation for better hold, and the wooden surface would have a smooth finish, providing a feeling of solidity and reliability.
While drawing, Miguel made detailed notes beside the sketches. He specified that the wood used should be oak, known for its strength and durability, ideal for withstanding constant use on the battlefield. He also indicated the exact dimensions of the parts and the assembly details that would ensure the metal would fit perfectly into the wood, creating a weapon that would not only function well but also be aesthetically pleasing and easy to handle.
Satisfied with the sketches, Miguel knew the next step would be to send these designs to the barony of Ironwood, where the kingdom's best carpenters could bring his creations to life. He prepared to detail the specifications and send the instructions, aware that these new weapons could be the difference Drakmoor needed to defend its borders.
Now, with the weapon bodies sketched out and the details noted, Miguel felt ready to move on to the next stage of his plan: the development of the ammunition, which would be the key to turning these sketches into deadly and effective weapons.
---
Miguel, sitting at his desk in the office, picked up the charcoal and began carefully sketching the mold for the cartridges of both the rifle and the pistol. He knew that every detail had to be meticulously planned to ensure that these weapons would be effective and functional in a world still far from understanding firearm technology. He began by drawing a simple metal cylinder, which would be the base of the cartridge.
He opted for an 11x59mm caliber for the rifle and a smaller 9mm caliber for the pistol. These calibers would be ideal for the type of gunpowder he had available and for the manual manufacturing he would have to implement. Each cartridge would need to contain a precise amount of gunpowder, as well as a primer at the rear to detonate the powder when the rifle or pistol's firing pin was struck. Miguel sketched the cylindrical shape of the cartridge, with the base slightly widened to fit perfectly in the barrel chamber.
After drawing the basic shape of the cartridge, he began to think about how to mass-produce these cartridges in a medieval world. Each cartridge would need to be molded in metal, possibly brass or another similar material that could withstand the pressure of the gunpowder explosion, but that would also be malleable enough to be molded in a forge workshop.
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The next step was to design the projectile itself, which would be inserted into the front part of the cartridge. Miguel opted for a conical shape for the projectile, with a rounded tip to facilitate penetration and minimize air resistance. He planned for the projectile to be made of lead, a dense and heavy metal capable of causing significant impact upon hitting the target.
As he drew, Miguel began to think about how he could manufacture these cartridges and projectiles on a large scale. He knew he would need to create a dedicated production line, something that had never been done before in this world. The idea was ambitious, but he was determined to find a way to make it happen. He considered the possibility of dividing the process into several stages, with different craftsmen responsible for each part of the production. For example, one team could specialize in molding the cartridges, another in creating the projectiles, and a third in the final assembly.
Miguel also thought about the material issue. Brass could be a good candidate for the cartridges, but he would need to find a way to produce enough metal. It might be necessary to expand the iron mines or even find new deposits of other metals that could be used in the cartridge's metal alloy.
While all these ideas crossed his mind, Miguel realized that he was still far from having a complete solution. He knew he would need more time and resources to turn this vision into reality, but he was willing to keep working on it until he found a viable solution. For now, he focused on finalizing the sketches of the cartridge and projectile bodies, preparing for the next challenge: finding a way to mass-produce these weapons.
Miguel stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the horizon. He knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but he also knew that these weapons could be the key to ensuring his kingdom's survival in an increasingly hostile world.
---
The next morning, Miguel met in his office with Arthur, the blacksmith, and Marcus, the carpenter. He was eager to present the new ideas he had sketched out but decided to start subtly, revealing only the pistol sketch. With a careful gesture, he placed the drawing on the table, allowing both of them to examine the weapon.
Arthur, with a serious and attentive look, frowned as he analyzed the sketch. Marcus, on the other hand, watched with a mix of curiosity and surprise, without saying a word. Finally, Arthur broke the silence. "What exactly is this, Your Majesty?" he asked, his voice revealing both interest and doubt.
Miguel smiled, anticipating their reaction. "This is a new kind of weapon," he began to explain, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. "More destructive than an arrow, deadlier than a sword, and as powerful as a fire spell. This is a pistol, a device that fires metal projectiles using the explosive force of gunpowder."
Arthur and Marcus exchanged impressed looks. "We've never seen anything like this before," Marcus confessed, amazed. "It's... really impressive, Your Majesty. But how does it work?"
Miguel then went into detail, explaining the basic mechanism of the pistol. He talked about the firing pin, the primer, and the compressed gunpowder cylinder inside the cartridge that, when fired, would launch the projectile with lethal force. He also mentioned the materials needed to manufacture the ammunition, including brass for the cartridges and lead for the projectiles.
Arthur listened carefully but soon expressed a concern. "I've never heard of these materials, Your Majesty. We don't have brass or lead here. To make this ammunition, we'll need a reliable source of these resources."
Miguel nodded, having expected this response. "I will lead an expedition soon to find these materials and establish a method of production. As for the weapon itself, do you have everything you need to get started?"
Arthur slowly nodded. "Yes, for the weapon itself, we have what we need. But it will be a complicated... and fascinating job." Marcus, with his usual good humor, jokingly commented, "Sometimes, Your Majesty, it seems like you have the knowledge of the gods themselves."
Miguel laughed, appreciating the levity Marcus brought to the situation. "Nothing so grand, Marcus. Just... ideas." Then, with a more dramatic gesture, he picked up another sketch from the table and handed it to Arthur. It was the sketch of the cannon, a larger-scale weapon designed for the battlefield.
Arthur took the drawing, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed every detail. "And this?" he asked, already feeling the weight of responsibility this project implied.
Miguel explained the concept of the cannon, how it would work similarly to the pistol but on a much larger scale. He described the destructive power the cannon would have, capable of breaking through walls, devastating enemy formations, and changing the course of a battle. "This will be our trump card on the battlefields," Miguel concluded, his voice full of conviction.
Arthur pondered for a moment, reflecting on the challenge ahead. "Something of this magnitude will require almost all the available blacksmiths," he said firmly. "But it's possible. With time and resources, we can create this."
Miguel smiled, satisfied with the response. "That's good. The day after tomorrow, I'll go to the forge to guide you on how to produce these weapons. It's going to be hard work, but if we succeed, we'll be one step ahead of any enemy."
Arthur and Marcus stood up, respectfully greeting Miguel before leaving. Miguel, now alone in his room, sat back down by the fireplace, watching the flames while holding a glass of wine. He felt the warmth of the fire in contrast to the cold dominating the winter outside. Each step he took brought him closer to his goal of strengthening Drakmoor, but he knew the path would still be long and arduous. With one last sip of wine, he looked at the sketches in front of him, allowing himself a moment of pride before turning his mind back to the challenges still to come.