Rockport Texas - The History, Legends & Lore 1st Printing | Page 27

LORE: MATCHLOCK PISTOL The first hand held Firearm that didn’t require a match or other exterior flame source, as the hammer holds clamped a slow burning wick that facilitates ignition upon its release via the trigger. It’s first use in Europe dates back to the mid-1400’s. LORE: WHEEL-LOCK PISTOL It came into use during the early 1500’s. With its friction wheel mechanism, it was an improvement over the Matchlock. LORE: SPANISH PISTOL MIQUELET A Spanish Pistol from the late 1600’s. A ‘Miquelet’ is a flint & steel ignition system that’s also known as a ‘Snaplock’. It was a more dependable firing system during bad weather, and it was also used on rifles. LORE: NAVAL (PIRATE’S) FLINTLOCK PISTOL 26 In the early 1700’s this would be a typical side iron on an upstanding Sailor or a low down Scalawag - or even one of them Buccaneers.