3. Flintlock muzzleloader
The flintlock muzzleloader dates back to the 17th century and features a flintlock mechanism that produces sparks when a piece of flint strikes its steel frizzen.
![HEX–Flintlock muzzleloader](https://ke-courses-production.s3.amazonaws.com/asset_files/production/4687/attachments/original/HEX-flintlock-muzzleloader.jpg?1595621904)
The firing mechanism consists of the following parts:
Flint
A flint is a hard, fine-grained form of quartz stone mounted in the hammer that creates a shower of sparks when it strikes the steel frizzen.
![Flint on a flintlock muzzleloader](https://ke-courses-production.s3.amazonaws.com/asset_files/production/4691/attachments/original/HEX-flint-flintlock.jpg?1595622260)
Hammer
A hammer is the part of the firing mechanism that holds the flint.
![Hammer on a flintlock muzzleloader](https://ke-courses-production.s3.amazonaws.com/asset_files/production/4676/attachments/original/HEX-hammer-flintlock.jpg?1595621904)
Frizzen
A frizzen is a piece of steel that is struck by the flint to create sparks. The frizzen also covers the priming charge in the flash pan.
![Frizzen on a flintlock muzzleloader](https://ke-courses-production.s3.amazonaws.com/asset_files/production/4692/attachments/original/HEX-frizzen-flintlock.jpg?1595622260)
Flash pan
A flash pan is a small groove cut in the firing mechanism to hold the priming charge.
![Flash pan on a flintlock muzzleloader](https://ke-courses-production.s3.amazonaws.com/asset_files/production/4690/attachments/original/HEX-flashpan-flintlock.jpg?1595622260)
Touch hole
A touch hole is located at the side of the barrel at the edge of the flash pan.
![Touch hole on a flintlock muzzleloader](https://ke-courses-production.s3.amazonaws.com/asset_files/production/4693/attachments/original/HEX-touchhole-flintlock.jpg?1595622260)