Flintlock

Flintlock - A system of firearms ignition, in general use circa 1660 - 1825, whereby the pull of a trigger releases a sear from a notch in a spring-loaded hammer, which holding a properly knapped piece of flint, strikes a vertical slab of steel (called a frizzen) scraping off tiny molten particles of the steel, and pushing it forward causes an integral flashpan cover to open forward, exposing  a bit of fine gunpowder below, which when contacted by the falling sparks, ignites and sends a flash of fire through the touch hole, into the loaded breech setting off the main charge and firing the gun.

Flintlock in cocked position, with frizzen rearward and integral flashpan cover closed.

 

Flintlock in fired position, with frizzen and its integral flashpan cover forward and open, the hammer having scraped sparks off its face, dropped them into the now-open flashpan, igniting them and sending fire through the touchole, setting off the main charge within the breech.

By convention, the precursor of the Flintlock, although operating generally in the same fashion but without the integral flashpan cover, is known as a Snaphance. The Flintlock system was supplanted by the Percussion system.

 

See a Summary of the development of firearms ignition systems.

 

The Hallowell & Co. Illustrated Firearms Dictionary is for informational purposes only. We do not necessarily offer the items described above for sale. Please click on any of the links below to see what we actually do have available for purchase.


American Shotguns      English Shotguns       European Shotguns      Double Rifles      Magazine Rifles        Single Shot Rifles      Combination Guns

Winchester      Colt      Smith & Wesson        Other Handguns          Antique Guns       New Arrivals             Custom Knives          Other Neat Stuff

 

Who We Are       How to Order      We want to buy your Gun(s)       Recommended Links     Historical Gallery         

Firearms Definitions, Abbreviations & Opinions     Store Photos     Magazine Articles          Home  


Hallowell & Co., Inc. PO Box 1445. Livingston, Montana  59047   USA   Tel: 406 222-4770    Fax: 406 222-4792     Email: morris@hallowellco.com

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 10 - 6.   (Mountain Time)   Our inventory is constantly changing. Please bookmark this site and return often.