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by Marshall Brain

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Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks article:

Brain, Marshall.  "How Flintlock Guns Work"  01 April 2000.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/flintlock.htm>  10 February 2012.
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Sons of Guns: A Silenced AK-47

Watch Video &amp;raquo;
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Inside this Article
  1. Introduction to How Flintlock Guns Work
  2. A Little History
  3. The Flintlock Mechanism
  1. The Barrel
  2. The Complete Gun
  3. The Flintlock's Replacement: Percussion Cap
  4. See more »
    1. Lots More Information
    2. See all Firearms articles

Lots More Information

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More Great Links!

  • Flintlock FAQ
  • Operating the Flintlock Rifle
  • Firearms of the Lewis & Clark Expedition
  • Tuning the Flint Lock
  • Siler flintlock - Jacob Kuntz Rifle, ca. 1800
  • NewScientist.com: Why does flint spark?
  • Muzzle Blasts Online: Flintlock Problems and Solutions
  • The Flintlock and the Percussion lock
  • Beginners Guide to FlintLock Shooting
  • Cabela's: Black Powder equipment
  • Blackpowder Hunting: Learning to flint
  • Flintlocks in Wet Weather
  • Muzzleloading basics
  • Making Fire with Flint and Steel
  • 17th US Infantry Handbook: Weapons and Equipment
  • Reme Museum of Technology

Safety

  • Remington: The Ten Commandments of Firearms Safety
  • Basic Gun Safety
  • NRA Basic Firearm Training Program

Chemistry

  • Making gunpowder
  • Percussion Cap
  • Fertilizers
VIDEO: Check out videos of powerful guns. >>
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Inside this Article
  1. Introduction to How Flintlock Guns Work
  2. A Little History
  3. The Flintlock Mechanism
  4. The Barrel
  1. The Complete Gun
  2. The Flintlock's Replacement: Percussion Cap
  3. Lots More Information
  4. See all Firearms articles
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Prices: Flintlock Guns

  • 1700s Brown Bess Revolutionary War Flintlock Musket Replica - Full Size All Wood and Metal Prop Gun with Bayonet
    1700s Brown Bess Revolutionary War Flintlock Musket Replica - Full Size All Wood and Metal Prop Gun with Bayonet

    This replica is the style used in the United States Revolutionary War. It features a working action. (The hammer cocks back, and pulling trigger releases hammer.) The overall length with bayonet is approximately 75 inches. The bayonet is removable. It does not lock into place.

    $159.95

  • Denix 1800 French Cavalry Flintlock Pistol
    Denix 1800 French Cavalry Flintlock Pistol

    The 1869 First Model American Army revolver had a hinged frame that opened to reveal the end of the cylinder and an automatic ejection system for faster reloading of the newly developed metallic cartridges. The gun has a great association with the Cowboy era of the American West. This non-firing replica has the originals single action mechanism and top break loading mechanism.

    $53.36

  • Early 18th Century Double Barrel Flintlock Pistol with Antiqued Silver Tone Finish - Detailed Replica of Gun Used by Pirates, Military, and Civilians
    Early 18th Century Double Barrel Flintlock Pistol with Antiqued Silver Tone Finish - Detailed Replica of Gun Used by Pirates, Military, and Civilians

    This reproduction early 18th Century English double-barrel flintlock pistol features engraved plastic faux ebony grips and a gun metal gray finished body. The action works like the original. The hammer cocks, and the trigger releases the hammer. Overall length is approximately 10.5 inches.

    $37.95

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