Understanding the Gun/The Weapon of the West Museum of the Mountain Man ~ Pinedale, Wyoming
Understanding the Gun
The mountain men were very familiar with firearm use & terminology. To understand these men it is important to understand their everyday life & tolls.
Flintlock Gun
This firearm, originally created in the 1600s, uses a piece of flint released with a trigger mechanism to strike a steel plate, create sparks, ignite gun powder in a small tray, & then ignite the gun powder in the barrel.
Firing a Flint Gun
Only one shot can be fired out of a barrel at a time. The firearm must be re-loaded after each shot.
1) Gun Powder, cloth wadding & the lead ball are pushed down into the barrel using a ramrod.
2) The flashpan is filled with gun powder & the hammer is pulled back to full-stock.
3) Pulling the trigger releases the flint, which strikes the steel frizzen and creates a shower of sparks.
4) The sparks fall on the flashpan of gun powder which ignite the powder in the barrel.
5) The ball (the bullet) is propelled out through the muzzle.
Percussion Gun
The percussion Gun Mechanism developed in the 1800s uses a hammer to strike a cap containing a fulminate of mercury, which in turn ignites the gun powder in the barrel. This system helps protect the initial ignition against moisture & wind.
Caliber
The internal diameter of the barrel
*The bigger the caliber, the greater the force behind the shot, & the more accurate the firearm.
*Caliber is measured in hundredths of on inch (.22) or millimeters (9mm).
Understanding the Gun/The Weapon of the West Museum of the Mountain Man ~ Pinedale, Wyoming
Understanding the Gun
The mountain men were very familiar with firearm use & terminology. To understand these men it is important to understand their everyday life & tolls.
Flintlock Gun
This firearm, originally created in the 1600s, uses a piece of flint released with a trigger mechanism to strike a steel plate, create sparks, ignite gun powder in a small tray, & then ignite the gun powder in the barrel.
Firing a Flint Gun
Only one shot can be fired out of a barrel at a time. The firearm must be re-loaded after each shot.
1) Gun Powder, cloth wadding & the lead ball are pushed down into the barrel using a ramrod.
2) The flashpan is filled with gun powder & the hammer is pulled back to full-stock.
3) Pulling the trigger releases the flint, which strikes the steel frizzen and creates a shower of sparks.
4) The sparks fall on the flashpan of gun powder which ignite the powder in the barrel.
5) The ball (the bullet) is propelled out through the muzzle.
Percussion Gun
The percussion Gun Mechanism developed in the 1800s uses a hammer to strike a cap containing a fulminate of mercury, which in turn ignites the gun powder in the barrel. This system helps protect the initial ignition against moisture & wind.
Caliber
The internal diameter of the barrel
*The bigger the caliber, the greater the force behind the shot, & the more accurate the firearm.
*Caliber is measured in hundredths of on inch (.22) or millimeters (9mm).