Arms across Borders: The Social Spread of American Firearms in China during the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries

This paper explores the non-state and socially diffused arms trade between the United States and China in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. During a time of waning domestic demand, leading Western arms manufacturers such as Colt and Winchester turned to China to compensate for their diminishing sales. Drawing upon the archival records of these companies, this study investigates the proliferation of American gun sellers in China and scrutinizes their pioneering marketing tactics. The success of these firms in the Chinese market was partly due to the introduction of the rolling breech block system, which rendered American firearms both highly effective and user-friendly for civilians and militias. The research underscores how this technological advancement assisted American companies in establishing a substantial presence in the Chinese market. Additionally, the paper explores the rise of Chinese munitions traders who became key intermediaries in this international trade. These traders were instrumental in linking foreign arms providers with Chinese buyers. The research uncovers an intricate network of interdependency involving overseas arms corporations, local munitions traders, and government officials. This nexus played a crucial role in enabling the widespread adoption and impact of foreign firearms in Chinese society. By examining this historical era through the prism of the arms trade, the study illuminates the complex interplay among technology, commerce, and diplomacy. It provides new perspectives on how the international arms trade affected Sino-American relations and the broader socio-political landscape in China during a chaotic period.