dˈʊɹɹɪŋ ðɪs pˈiəɹɪəd ɹˈæpɪd bˈɜːnɪŋ blˈæk pˈaʊdɚ wʌz jˈuːzd æz ðə pɹəpˈɛlənt, sˌoʊ ðə ɡˈʌnz hæd ɐ stˈʌbi, sˈoʊdə bˈɑːɾəl ʃˈeɪp ɡˈɪvɪŋ ˈiːzi ˈæksɛs tʊ ˈiːðɚɹ ˈɛnd fɔːɹ lˈoʊdɪŋ.
During this period rapid burning black powder was used as the propellant, so the guns had a stubby, 'soda bottle' shape giving easy access to either end for loading.