The Probert Encyclopaedia of Warfare

FLINTLOCK

The flintlock was a type of mechanism first used for rifles, later also for pistols. The flintlock was first introduced at the end of the 16th century. The flintlock uses a piece of shaped flint held in screw tightened jaws which are pulled back in the cocked position. Pulling the trigger releases the jaws which flew forward and caused the flint to strike a steel plate. The resulting sparks ignited powder placed in a flash pan which ignites the charge in the breech and so discharges the weapon. Flintlock rifles were widely used until about 1840 and were still being made for the African market during the 1930's.
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