Which item is struck by the flint to create a shower of sparks?

The flint strikes the frizzen to create a shower of sparks when the firearm is fired. In a muzzleloading firearm, the frizzen is a metal plate that is designed to catch the sparks generated by the flint as it snaps against it. The purpose of this action is to ignite the powder in the flash pan. The sparking occurs because the hard flint creates friction against the frizzen, leading to small particles of metal being dislodged and ignited, thus starting the firing process.

This action is crucial for the proper operation of flintlock mechanisms, making the frizzen a vital component in the ignition system of muzzleloading firearms. Understanding this relationship is key to comprehending how these traditional firearms function and the mechanics of ignition in historical firearm designs.