Editing Lock (firearm) (section)

==Percussion lock==

The advent of the percussive ignition eliminated the need for a spark to discharge a firearm.  Instead, the discharge is initiated by striking a shock-sensitive explosive material.  Initial patents are attributed to the [[Reverend]] [[Alexander John Forsyth]], who use a [[fulminate]] powder delivered from a ''charger'' that was integral to the lock mechanism.  The charger contained a [[firing pin]] that was struck and in turn, struck the fulminate. The mechanism was otherwise constructed similar to that of the flintlock.  The fulminate used in percussive locks was variously packaged as pills, metal tubes and paper patches but the [[percussion cap]] soon predominated.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Wescott |first=Allen Pennell |title=Transition Problems: The Conversion of Weapons to Meet New Demands |journal=Army Ordnance |volume=18 |issue=108 |year= 1938 |pages=343–346|jstor=45377089 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/45377089 |access-date= 21 October 2021}}</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6DQBwm2rPc ''The Gun: (part 1) Flintlock to percussion''], BBC, 1976.</ref>

The flintlock mechanism was readily adapted to utilise this new technology.  The flash pan was removed. A [[Nipple (firearm)|nipple]] (a small hollow cone) was fitted to the touchhole.  The percussion cap is fitted over the end of the nipple.  The cock was modified to strike the cap and redesignated as the [[Hammer (firearms)|hammer]].  As a safety measure, the face of the hammer was soon hollowed to surround the cap.  As an economy, many existing flintlocks (particularly military stocks) were converted to use the percussion cap.  Most conversions modified rather than replaced the lock mechanism of the firearm being converted<ref>The 1807/35 M “Console” Jägerstützen, a tube lock, was one of the most basic of conversions.  It replaced the flint in the cock with a piece of steel to become the hammer ([https://capandball.com/the-story-of-the-augustin-tube-lock-ignition-system/ The story of the Augustin tube lock ignition system] [accessed 31 October 2021])</ref> while lock designs in new models of longarms were largely unchanged.  Some designs emerged, such as [[Maynard carbine]]<ref>The Maynard carbine used a paper tape, much like that used in toy [[cap gun]]s.</ref> and the pellet feed system employed by the [[Sharps carbine]],<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe6PWIMoHD8 How the pellet priming system works on an original 1863 M Sharps percussion carbine] (accessed 31 October 2021)</ref><ref name="Hogg">{{cite book|last=Hogg|first=Ian V.|author-link=Ian V. Hogg|title=Weapons of the Civil War|year=1987|publisher=[[Random House Value Publishing]]|location=New York|isbn=978-0-517-63606-0|pages=[https://archive.org/details/weaponsofcivilwa00ianh/page/13 13–18]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/weaponsofcivilwa00ianh/page/13}}</ref> which mechanised the recharging of the primer but such systems were never widely adopted.

''Percussion lock'' refers generally to firearms that use external percussive primers.  ''Cap lock'' and ''tube lock'' refer to percussion-lock firearms that utilised either cap or tube primers respectively.  ''Scent-bottle lock'' refers to a design by Forsyth.  The charger containing the fulminating powder resembles a scent bottle in shape.

===Breechloaders===

Early [[breech-loading]], cap lock longarms, such as the Sharps carbine<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeF5cxJxPDA 1863 Sharps Close Up, Disassembly, and Function]</ref> and the [[Wilson carbine]]<ref>[https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C330394?image=6 Wilson Carbine: Tasmanian Military Forces], Australian War Memorial (accessed 31 October 2021).</ref> used much the same side mounted lock mechanism as muzzle-loading cap-locks.

===Revolvers===

The commercially practical [[revolver]] followed from the advent of the percussion cap.  The action of cocking the hammer is used to rotate the [[cylinder (firearms)|cylinder]] and bring a loaded chamber in-line with the barrel preparatory to firing.  The mechanism for cocking, rotating and firing revolvers is contained between side-plates that form the frame of the revolver.  This is a significant departure from earlier lock mechanisms that were constructed about a single plate fixed to one side of a firearm.