What was the first .22 comercially made?  I thought it was an awesome question and deserved a good answer!  thanks for hte help...

I'd say S&W handguns in 1856 along with the Winchester Model  1873 as the 1st American repeater?

That's a pretty educated question for a 9 y/o.  I don't have a clue!!

haha, I was very surprised.  he's really getting into shooting!!!

We have a display on this at the Frazier Museum in Louisville. Its on the second floor gallery on a wall around the corner from the "gun shop" and across the room from the "concealed carry " display...just before you enter the Civil War section.

Here is a link to a good read on this:

History of the .22

The .22, like many things evolved in steps starting with the "BB" and working its way up. About 1857 Smith and Wesson came out with a .22 pistol (that we call the .22 Short today). It was popular in the Civil war and carried by people on both side. Odd, today people would laugh at a .22 as a personal protection device but they loved it.

Oh, and a link to the museum...its a great place to visit!

Frazier Museum

Annie Oakley used to use a .22 short for her show,

I am thinking the 22 was initially a just a primer only round, that was used as a "gallery gun" for fairs and carnivals. The anti gun crowd would go ballistic today, if that was the case

My wife was just at the Frazier museum last week!  The pics she took make it look really interesting.  The great thing is that she is now helping out with appleseed and is getting to be a pretty serious smallbore shooter herself!

 

well this turned out to be all win....thanks guys!!!