Which part of a muzzleloading firearm strikes the flint to create a spark?

The part of a muzzleloading firearm that strikes the flint to create a spark is the hammer. This component is typically a hinged piece that, when the trigger is pulled, moves forward to strike the flint against the frizzen. The impact generates sparks, which ignite the powder in the flash pan and subsequently fire the main charge in the barrel.

Knowing how each part functions is crucial for understanding muzzleloading firearms. The frizzen serves as a steel plate that, when struck by the flint, produces the necessary spark for ignition. The touch hole is where the ignited powder travels from the flash pan into the barrel, while the flash pan holds the priming powder but is not directly involved in producing the spark.