firelock

An antique firearm that uses an external mechanism to ignite the gunpowder, instead of using a modern self-contained cartridge.

The firing mechanisms this tag includes are, from oldest to newest:

  • Matchlock: A burning match cord is used to ignite the powder.
  • Wheellock: A piece of pyrite strikes a spinning wheel of steel to produce sparks that ignite the powder.
  • Flintlock: A hammer holding flint strikes a piece of steel to produce sparks that ignite a pan of gunpowder.
  • Caplock: A hammer strikes a percussion cap that ignites the gunpowder in the barrel.

If the weapon's firing mechanism is easily identifiable, use one of the more specific tags under this tag. If the weapon's firing mechanism is not easily identifiable, but is recognizable as a pre-cartridge firing mechanism, then just use this tag only and do not guess at one of the more specific types.

Examples

See also

External links