Skip to main content

Matchlocks

Scope note

The earliest type of mechanical ignition system for firearms, originating in the mid-15th century, consisting of a slow-burning match or wick held in an arm which, when the trigger is pressed, lowers the match into a pan full of priming powder, the burning of which ignites the main charge.

Term type

AAT

Getty AAT term number

300037192

Broader Terms used

locks (firearm components)

Equivalent Terms used

matchlock

Created

13yrs ago

Citation for print

This page can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2024) "Terminology definition for: matchlocks" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/terminology/term-53531 Accessed: 2024-12-25 13:39:08

Citation for Wikipedia

To cite this page on Wikipedia you can use this code snippet:

{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/terminology/term-53531|title=Terminology definition for: matchlocks|author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2024-12-25 13:39:08|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

API call for this record

To call these data via our API (remember this needs to be authenticated) you can use this code snippet:

https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/api/v1/terminology/term-53531

Sign up for updates

Updates about future exhibitions and displays, family activities, virtual events & news. You'll be the first to know...