The harquebus is a firearm that is about a metre long and which could be used by the cavalry due to its weight and length. The use of the musket by foot soldiers fell into decline at the end of the 16^th century. Muskets are heavy, long guns which had to be laid on a supporting fork – a musket fork. Unlike harquebuses, muskets had an increased range and penetrating power and as a result of this became the infantry's main weapon.

During the 17^th century, systematic drill orders were created that described the exact procedure for handling muskets, in order that soldiers did not obstruct one another while loading and shooting. In addition to the introduction of the drill, loading and shooting were practised constantly so that soldiers could carry out orders in synchronisation and thus increase the effectiveness of the weapons. A well-known drill book was published in 1607 in the Netherlands; the engraver Jacob de Gheyn II produced illustrations for each command on how to handle the rifle and the soldiers’ movements.