Advanced Techniques:

Types of Muzzleloaders

Types	Main Features	Limitations
MATCH-LOCK (14th Century)	Used lighted wick to fire priming powder Muzzle-loaded	Wick easily extinguished by rain Wick burns out Dangerous around gunpowder Clumsy Slow reload
WHEEL-LOCK (17th Century)	Spring driven wheel rubbed against a flint/iron pyrites to produce sparks Muzzle-loaded Musket and pistol type	Spring required hand winding Flint/iron pyrites wears out Mechanism breaks Heavy, slow reload
FLINT-LOCK (17th Century)	Flint snapped against a surface to produce spark Muzzle-loaded Rifling introduced Paper cartridge introduced	Flints wear out or break Springs can fail Slow reload Number of shots limited by number of barrels
PERCUSSION CAP (19th Century)	Small explosive metal cap replaced flint More certain of firing Revolving action repeater introduced	Slow reload Cap separate from powder and bullet