火縄銃
The first firing mechanism or "lock" used in [[antique_firearm|antique firearms]]. It used an arm that held a burning piece of match cord that would be lowered into a pan of powder that would ignite the firearm.  This mechanism could be as simple as an "S" shaped lever called a [i]serpentine[/i] that would lower the arm into the pan or it could use a locking mechanism and spring that upon releasing the lock would "snap" the arm rapidly into the pan. The latter type of matchlock were referred to as "snap matchlocks." Most [[arquebus|arquebuses]], including the Japanese tanegashima, were matchlocks.

This firing mechanism was eventually replaced by the [[flintlock]].

h4. See Also:

* [[List of weapons]]
* [[Antique firearm]]
* [[Firelock]]
** [[Caplock]]
** [[Wheellock]]
matchlock