Flintlock mechanism
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French courtier Marin le Bourgeoys made the first firearm incoporating a true flintlock mechanism for King Louis XIII shortly after his accession to the throne in 1610. The development of firearm lock mechanisms had proceeded from matchlock to wheellock to snaphance and miquelet in the previous two or three centuries, and each type had been an improvement, contributing some design features which were useful. Monsieur le Bourgeoys fit these various features together to create the flintlock mechanism. The new system quickly became popular, and was known and used in various forms throughout Europe by 1630.
Unlike most weapons systems and configurations, which last a few decades, the flintlock mechanism was center stage for both military and civilian use for over 200 years. Not until the Reverend Alexander John Forsyth, a Scottish minister, invented the rudimentary percussion system in 1807 did the flintlock system begin to slide into oblivion. The slide was a slow one, even at that, since the percussion system was not widely used until around 1830, and the flintlock continued in common use until the time of the American Civil War.
Terminology
The following photographs show both sides of the flintlock mechanism, along with descriptions of the annotated parts.
Flintterm-E.jpg
A- Lockplate B- Feather of frizzen spring C- Frizzen spring screw D- Mainspring retainer stud E- Frizzen spring F- Tail of frizzen G- Frizzen pivot screw H- Frizzen (hammer, steel) I- Face of frizzen J- Pan K- Flashguard L- Cock (hammer) M- Lower (fixed) vise jaw N- Upper (moveable) vise jaw O- Vise screw (cock screw) P- Sear spring screw tip Q- Tail of lockplate R- Sear pivot screw tip S- Tumbler screw
Flintterm-I.jpg
A- Upper limb of mainspring B- Lower limb of mainspring C- Mainspring retainer hook D- Tumbler hook of mainspring E- Cup of tumbler F- Tail of frizzen G- Tumbler axle/pivot H- Frizzen (hammer, steel) I- Face of frizzen J- Pan K- Flashguard L- Cock (hammer) M- Lower (fixed) vise jaw N- Upper (moveable) vise jaw O- Vise screw (cock screw) P- Bridle Q- Sear pivot screw R- Body of the sear S- Arm of the sear T- Sear spring U- Sear spring screw V- Bridle screw W- Stop, upper vise jaw X- Cock spur (hammer spur) Y- Frizzen pivot screw Z- Bolster AA- Fly BB- Frizzen spring retainer stud