Smoothbores

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of firearm barrel that is not rifled, allowing for the use of various ammunition types and contributing to a spread of projectiles
2. A smooth inner surface within the barrel design that leads to decreased accuracy at long distances but increased effectiveness for close-range shots
3. Referring to shotgun barrels as well, where the absence of grooves allows for a consistent discharge of multiple pellets simultaneously

Etymology: Smoothbores are guns whose barrels lack the spiral grooves, called rifling, that spin a projectile for accuracy. The word is simply a compound of "smooth" and "bore," where "bore" refers to the hollow inside of a gun barrel, the space the projectile travels through. Its literal meaning is therefore a barrel with a smooth inner surface. The contrast only makes sense once rifling exists. Plain, unrifled barrels were the norm for centuries, so no special name was needed for them. The distinguishing term arose when rifled weapons became common and gunmakers needed a way to describe the older design. In that sense, "smooth" works as a label defined by what the barrel lacks. The plural "smoothbores" simply refers to several such barrels or guns.

Synonyms: smoothbore guns, smoothbore barrels, firearms, weapons, muskets