noun
breechloader; breech-loading gun
Historical firearm loaded from the rear of the barrel, as opposed to a muzzleloader. Used in contexts of military history and antique weapons.
元込め銃は前装銃より装填が速かった。
Breechloaders were faster to reload than muzzleloaders.
前装銃 is a muzzleloader, loaded from the front of the barrel, while 元込め銃 is a breechloader, loaded from the rear.
Compound of 元 (moto, 'base, rear') + 込め (kome, continuative form of 込める 'to load') + 銃 (jū, 'gun'). The term describes a firearm loaded from the breech (rear) end.