Editing Flintlock mechanism (section)

==Construction and operation==
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A typical flintlock mechanism has a piece of [[flint]] which is held in place in between a set of jaws on the end of a short [[hammer (firearm)|hammer]] (sometimes called the "cock" due to its shape resembling a [[rooster]]'s [[beak]]).  Before [[shooting]], the hammer is pulled back into a [[spring (device)|spring]]-tensioned (or "cocked") position.  Pulling the [[trigger (firearms)|trigger]] disengages the [[sear (firearm)|sear]] and releases the hammer, which swings forward causing the flint to strike a piece of steel called the "[[frizzen]]". At the same time, the motion of the flint and hammer pushes the frizzen back, opening the cover to a concealed [[flash pan]], which contains a small charge of [[gunpowder]].

As the flint strikes the frizzen it creates [[spark (fire)|sparks]]. The flint is harder than steel so it shaves off the frizzen a shower tiny steel fragments. These fragments exhibit [[pyrophoricity]] (the propensity to ignite spontaneously in air). Due to their minute size, they have an extremely large surface-area to volume ratio. A high proportion of the fragments' iron is in contact with air and it rapidly oxidises, making them extremely hot.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hamers |first=Laurel |date=2024-04-27 |title=Why does striking flint against steel start a fire? |url=https://www.livescience.com/chemistry/why-does-striking-flint-against-steel-start-a-fire |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=livescience.com |language=en}}</ref>

Some fragments will fall into the powder in the pan and will ignite it. Flame from this burning powder travels through a small [[touch hole]] into the [[gun barrel]]; the main propellant charge is ignited, causing the weapon to fire the [[projectile]].

Most hammers follow Marin le Bourgeoys's design, and have a "[[half-cock]]ed" position, which is the "safe" position since pulling the trigger from this position does not cause the gun to fire. From this position, the frizzen can be opened, and powder can be placed in the pan. Then the frizzen is closed, and the hammer is pulled back into the "full cocked" position, from which it is fired.

The phrase "don't go off half cocked" originated with these types of weapons, which were not supposed to fire from the half cocked position of the hammer.

===Internal flintlock===
Weapons using internal flintlock are relatively rare. This variant of the lock does not have an external cock. Its function is similar to striker-fired guns. Instead of the striker there is a rod holding the flint. The pan is located on the upper side of the barrel. The pan has a hinged cover with grooves on the underside. The gunsmith Stanislav Patzelta is considered to be the inventor of this system. According to other sources this lock could have been invented by the Austrian gunsmith Karl Bischof (Carl Pischoff).
<ref name=PZ>Pírek, Michal. ''Palné zbraně''. Ottovo nakladatelství, Praha, 2014, pp. 162-163. {{ISBN|978-80-7451-219-3}} </ref>