What is the function of the frizzen in a flintlock muzzleloader?

The frizzen in a flintlock muzzleloader plays a crucial role in the ignition process of the firearm. Its primary function is to create a spark for ignition. When the trigger is pulled, the hammer falls, striking the frizzen, which is usually made of hardened steel. This impact causes the frizzen to swing open and simultaneously produces a spark by scraping against the flint that is held in the hammer.

This spark then ignites the powder that has been placed in the flash pan, allowing the fire to travel through the touch hole into the main charge of black powder in the barrel, ultimately firing the projectile. Therefore, the frizzen is essential for starting the ignition sequence, making it vital for the functionality of flintlock muzzleloaders.