frizzen

English

Location of the frizzen in a flintlock mechanism.

Etymology

From earlier frizzle (noun), of unknown origin. Compare fleerish, furison.

Noun

frizzen (plural frizzens)

1. An L-shaped piece of steel hinged at the rear used in flintlock firearms, positioned over the flash pan so to enclose a small priming charge of black powder next to the flash hole that is drilled through the barrel, such that when fired the flint scrapes it so as to create a spark.

Further reading

• frizzen on Wikipedia.Wikipedia