Existing comment:
From Flintlock to Percussion:
The flintlock ignition system depended upon producing sparks by striking together flint and steel. The lock action was relatively simple -- a cock held a section of flint and when the trigger was pulled, the cock snapped forward to hit a steel surface. This action showered sparks down into an open pan filled with powder. When ignited by the sparks, the resulting flame went through a small hole in the barrel igniting the main powder charge.
The percussion ignition system was a more dependable process than the earlier flintlock system. When the trigger was pulled,a metal hammer snapped forward, striking a very small copper cap (filled with a solid, dry explosive material), which was placed upon a hollow cone or nipple on the barrel. The explosion caused by the hammer striking this percussion cap immediately ignited the powder charge in the barrel, propelling the lead ball or bullet from the muzzle of the barrel. The advance to percussion also made the weapon more dependable because dampness no longer rendered a weapon useless, as it had with the flintlock system. |