As a firearms expert with a deep understanding of historical and modern weaponry, I can provide a comprehensive overview of what an *elephant gun* is. An elephant gun is a term that refers to a class of large caliber firearms, which were historically designed for hunting large game, particularly elephants. These guns are characterized by their size, power, and the caliber of the ammunition they fire, which is significantly larger than that of standard hunting rifles.

Elephant guns were initially black powder muzzle-loaders, which were the precursor to the more refined firearms we know today. Black powder, also known as gunpowder, was the propellant used in early firearms and artillery. Muzzle-loaders required the user to manually load the gunpowder and bullet through the muzzle, or front end, of the barrel. This process was time-consuming and could be dangerous due to the risk of accidental ignition of the powder.

As technology advanced, the development of the black powder express rifles marked a significant step forward in the evolution of the elephant gun. These rifles utilized a faster-burning black powder and were designed to withstand the higher pressures generated by the more potent propellant. The express rifles were known for their rapid expansion of gases behind the bullet, which resulted in a flatter trajectory and greater accuracy at longer ranges.

The progression to smokeless powder cartridges was the next major development in the history of elephant guns. Smokeless powder, or nitrocellulose-based propellants, offered several advantages over black powder. It produced less smoke, had a higher energy density, and was less sensitive to moisture. The use of smokeless powder allowed for the creation of more powerful cartridges that could be loaded into the rifle more quickly and safely.

Elephant guns were not just limited to hunting elephants; they were also used for other large game such as rhinoceroses, hippos, and bears. The sheer power of these firearms was necessary to ensure a quick and humane kill, as a wounded large animal can be extremely dangerous.

In modern times, the use of elephant guns has declined significantly due to changes in hunting practices, conservation efforts, and the development of more efficient and less destructive firearms. However, they still hold a place in the annals of firearms history as a testament to the ingenuity and necessity of the past.

Now, let's proceed to the translation of the provided information into Chinese.

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An elephant gun is a large caliber gun, rifled or smoothbore, originally developed for use by big-game hunters for elephant and other big game. Elephant guns were black powder muzzle-loaders at first, then the black powder express rifles, and later used smokeless powder cartridges.read more >>