From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Wheellock, also referred to as 'Wheel-Lock', is a method for igniting the propellant of a loaded gun's bullet. A sprung wheel scrapes against a piece of pyrite to generate sparks necessary to fire the bullet upon pulling a wheellock weapon's trigger. Prior to fireing the weapon would have to be prepared and the spring for the wheel wound up. It is generally accepted that Johann Kiefuss invented the type in the early 1500's in Germany. While superior to many earlier methods of igniting gunpowder its high production cost hindered its widespread adoption. Early designs had trouble with reliable springs but these problems were solved in time. Both the wheel-lock guns and its cheaper competitor the Matchlock were superseded by Snaphance and Flintlock weapon types of the 1600s.
Shorter Description: A wheellock is a firearm which comes before the flint lock in history. It has an operation much like the other locks, except that there is a wheel (much like that seen on lighters) which repeatedly strikes flint to ignite the powder
Wheellock, as refers to Thomas P. Wheellock. Thomas Wheellock and Ethan Allen produced a single-action revolver in the mid 1800s in the United States. The 'Allen and Wheellock' revolver was reloaded by removing the whole cylinder after loosening a screw. This resulted in long reload time but reduced production cost due to the simplicity of the design. Generally bought as a pocket pistol for occasional use.'
