A flintlock is a type of firearm mechanism that uses a piece of flint to ignite gunpowder. When the trigger is pulled, a hammer strikes the flint, creating a spark that ignites the powder in the pan, which then fires the main charge in the barrel. This design was widely used from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Flintlocks were commonly found in muskets and pistols, making them popular among soldiers and hunters. They replaced earlier matchlock mechanisms and were eventually succeeded by percussion caps, which offered faster and more reliable firing.