A standard black powder charge in a muzzle loading rifle or musket of 250 years ago could have a muzzle velocity of up to Mach 2, though most were about Mach 1.5. Percussion revolvers (.45 cal., 8" barrel) of the U.S. civil war had a muzzle velocity of around Mach 1 (1100 - 1200 fps). All the cannon of the time (that I can think of) were subsonic.
Regards, Bob... From: "Doug Franklin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > On Thu, 1 Jul 2004 10:21:25 +0100, Bob W wrote: > > > What was the 1st man-made object to break the sound barrier? > > I'd guess that it was some sort of bullet or cannon projectile.
