Wheelock musket and spanner
Wheelock Musket
1582 (Date manufactured/created)
Mahogany; ivory inlay
The wheellock is a friction wheel mechanism that creates a spark by spinning a spring-loaded steel wheel against a piece of pyrite. The pyrite is clamped in vise jaws on a spring-loaded arm that rests on the pan cover. Pulling the trigger opens the pan and rotates the wheel, pressing the pyrite into contact. Wheellocks were developed in Europe sometime around 1500, and many believe that they were invented by Leonardo da Vinci. The wheellock had many advantages over the matchlock, as it was more resistant to damp conditions, was more easily concealed, and did not require an open flame. However, the high manufacturing cost of the mechanism meant that they were never mass-produced and never replaced the matchlock. Eventually, the wheellock was superseded by the flintlock in the 1650s.
HW1958.017