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Snap-lock , Snaphance and flintlock

Snap-lock, Snaphance and Flintlock

These three fire arms work under same mechanism. The difference is the protective measures development  in each of the fire arms.
The order of the fire arms is
  1. snaplock
  2. snaphance
  3. flintlock
  4. percussion cap

Mechanism:

The operation works on the old concept of fire sparks ( when two rocks are rubbed against each other the friction between them causes a spark and eventually fire when the sparks are in contact with a dry grass or to be more precise, a conductor which ignites under a slight high temperature).

The firearm consists of a flint material and a steel plate placed against each other. When the flint is held with a spring, potential energy is stored in the spring. When the trigger is released the potential energy is transferred to the clamped flint and the clamp moves forward and strikes the hardened steel producing sparks.

These sparks flash pan travels through the touch hole and ignites the gun powder and boom.




 The snaphance working can be under stood by the below figures:




   Before cocking outer view
before cocking inner view






After triggering outer view









After triggering inner view                  

Difference between the four types of the fire arms:

snaplock snaphance flint lock percussion cap
once cocked, it cannot be altered easily only one cocking position Two cocking positions
  • half cock
  • full cock
 Two cocking positions; same as the flintlock
frizzen cannot be moved frizzen can be moved manually frizzen can be moved manually and it would be in closed position in halk cock position Frizzen can be moved manually and frizzen would be closed in a half cock position
will not work in wet conditions/ under the rain will not work under the wet conditions/under the rain will not work under the wet conditions/under the rain would work even under wet conditions and under the rain as the pan is covered by a percussion cap
note: The percussion cap is a small cylinder of copper or brass with one closed end. Inside the closed end is a small amount of a shock-sensitive explosive material such as fulminate of mercury. The percussion cap is placed over a hollow metal "nipple" at the rear end of the gun barrel. Pulling the trigger releases a hammer which strikes the percussion cap and ignites the explosive primer. The flame travels through the hollow nipple to ignite the main powder charge. Percussion caps were, and still are, made in small sizes for pistols and larger sizes for rifles and muskets.

To know more about the flintlock mechanism in detail .... you can vist http://science.howstuffworks.com/flintlock2.html

To know more about the percussion cap - visit
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percussion_cap 

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