The flintlock musket is a type of firearm that was widely used from the 17th to the 19th centuries. It operates using a flint mechanism that strikes a steel frizzen, creating sparks to ignite gunpowder. This design made it more reliable than earlier matchlock firearms. Typically made of wood and metal, the flintlock musket was often used by military forces, including during the American Revolutionary War. Its smoothbore barrel allowed for quick loading, but it was less accurate than later rifled firearms. The flintlock musket played a significant role in shaping early modern warfare.