A flint-lock gun. The flint was fastened into the hammer and, as it
drove down against a curved shield, it raised a shower of sparks and at
the same time lifted the shield and exposed to the sparks the powder in
the pan. The powder, being thus ignited, the fire followed it through
the hole into the barrel and exploded the powder in the "charge" behind
the bullet or shot. All flint-locks "hung fire." That is, the pulling of
the trigger did not discharge the gun as quickly as it does in modern
guns where the exploding cap is connected directly with the charge in
the cartridge.
A flint-lock pistol. This operated just as did the flint-lock gun.