SNAPHAUNCE Meaning and
Definition
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The term "snaphaunce" refers to a type of gunlock mechanism that was commonly employed in early firearms, predominantly in the 17th century. The snaphaunce lock is a flintlock mechanism that incorporates a variety of elements from earlier firearm designs, such as the matchlock and wheel lock.
In operation, the snaphaunce lock features a frizzen, a hinged plate that holds the flint. The frizzen is sparked against a steel plate called the "battery," creating sparks to ignite the gunpowder when the trigger is squeezed. The snaphaunce lock also includes a half-cock position, where the frizzen is moved partially and safely away from the battery, allowing the gun to be loaded without the risk of accidental discharge.
Characterized by its complex and intricate design, the snaphaunce lock became popular due to its reliability and enhanced durability compared to previous gunlock mechanisms. Its versatility allowed it to be fitted onto various firearms, including muskets, pistols, and even rifles. However, due to its complex mechanism and relatively high manufacturing cost, the snaphaunce lock eventually gave way to simpler and more efficient designs, such as the flintlock and later the percussion cap lock.
Today, the term "snaphaunce" is primarily used in historical and firearm-related contexts, often to describe antique firearms from the period when the snaphaunce lock was widely utilized.
Common Misspellings for SNAPHAUNCE
- Snaphence
- anaphaunce
- znaphaunce
- xnaphaunce
- dnaphaunce
- enaphaunce
- wnaphaunce
- sbaphaunce
- smaphaunce
- sjaphaunce
- shaphaunce
- snzphaunce
- snsphaunce
- snwphaunce
- snqphaunce
- snaohaunce
- snalhaunce
- sna-haunce
- sna0haunce
- snapgaunce
Etymology of SNAPHAUNCE
The word "snaphaunce" has an interesting etymology that can be traced back to the Dutch language. It comes from the 17th-century Dutch word "snaphaan", which means "snap-haane" in Dutch. "Snap" refers to the mechanism of the firearm, which produced sparks by forcefully striking a piece of flint against a steel surface. "Haan" means "rooster" or "cock" in Dutch, representing the cocking action of the spring-loaded mechanism.
The term "snaphaunce" was adopted in English to describe a type of flintlock mechanism used in firearms during the 17th and 18th centuries. These mechanisms were widely used in muskets and pistols. Over time, variations of the word, such as "snaphance" and "snaphaunch", also emerged.
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