Wordsmith Talk |
About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us | |||
Register Log In Wordsmith.org Forums General Topics Q&A about words frizzen
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
OP In reading about a flintlock rifle, I encountered the word "frizzen". I think it is the steel plate
from which the flint struck the spark to ignite the powder in the pan. I have not yet been
able find its etymology.
Flint Lock
The original flint locks were marked either:
"HARPERS/FERRY/(date)" or "SPRING/FIELD/(date)".
The lock was produced to accept a standard 1" flint.
The hammer, top jaw, and screw were made of steel, as was the frizzen.
The pan was of brass.
All internal parts - the mainspring, sear, sear spring, frizzen spring,
and tumbler, as well as the corresponding screws, were produced of
steel and in many respects resembled the French Charleville which,
after successfull use in the Revolution, became a model for future US. muskets.
The lockplate was unremarkable, measuring 6 5/8 inches long.
PS: I haven't been able to find "frizzen" in any dictionary, let alone find etymology. But look
at this, from Illinois Deer Hunting Regulations:
"Definition of an unloaded muzzleloading firearm: removal of percussion cap; or removal of prime
powder from frizzen pan with frizzen open and hammer all the way down; or removal of prime
powder from flash-pan and wheel unwound; or removal of prime powder with match not lit.
Entire Thread Subject Posted By Posted frizzen wwh 08/21/02 07:39 PM Re: frizzen wwh 08/21/02 08:53 PM Re: frizzen Wordwind 08/21/02 09:29 PM Re: frizzen Faldage 08/21/02 09:45 PM Re: frizzen[sic] tsuwm 08/21/02 09:59 PM Re: frizzen[sic] Wordwind 08/21/02 10:18 PM Re: frizzen wwh 08/21/02 10:50 PM Re: frizzen tsuwm 08/21/02 11:06 PM Re: frizzen Wordwind 08/21/02 11:12 PM Re: frizzen wwh 08/22/02 12:19 AM Re: frizzen Faldage 08/21/02 11:11 PM Re: frizzen wsieber 08/22/02 05:16 AM Re: frizzen[sic] Jackie 08/22/02 12:23 PM Re: frizzen[sic] RhubarbCommando 08/22/02 01:54 PM Re: frizzen wwh 08/22/02 02:03 PM Re: frizzen Wordwind 08/22/02 05:21 PM
Moderated by Jackie
Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics Forums16Topics13,913Posts229,345Members9,182 Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members Ineffable, ddrinnan, TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV
9,182 Registered Users
Who's Online Now 0 members (), 718 guests, and 0 robots. Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days) A C Bowden 20ddrinnan 1
Top Posters wwh 13,858Faldage 13,803Jackie 11,613wofahulicodoc 10,547tsuwm 10,542LukeJavan8 9,918Buffalo Shrdlu 7,210AnnaStrophic 6,511Wordwind 6,296of troy 5,400
Forum Rules · Mark All Read Contact Us · Forum Help · Wordsmith.org