snaphaunce

American  

[snap-hans, -hahns] / ˈsnæp hæns, -hɑns /

noun

1. an early flintlock mechanism for igniting a charge of gunpowder in a gun.

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Etymology

Origin of snaphaunce

First recorded in 1580–90; from Dutch snaphaan (or German Schnapphahn ) originally, “highwayman,” equivalent to snap(pen) “to snatch” + haan “rooster” ( Dutch haan, German Hahn, parallel to English cock meaning both “rooster” and “hammer of a firearm”); source of the final s sound unclear; see snap, cock ¹

Example Sentences

It was like reintroducing the matchlock or the snaphaunce, but Ruger doted on the single-shot, and that was that.

From Time Magazine Archive

This is a genuine snaphaunce, not to be confused with the Spanish or Moorish Miguelet or outside-lock flintlock.

From A Catalogue of Early Pennsylvania and Other Firearms and Edged Weapons at "Restless Oaks" by Shoemaker, Henry W.

Cotgrave has arquebuse à fusil, "a snaphaunce," and explains fusil as "a fire-steele for a tinder-box."

From The Romance of Words (4th ed.) by Weekley, Ernest

By 1625, however, the picture had changed, for the wheel-lock, snaphaunce, and “doglock,” were being used in large numbers, and the matchlock had become obsolete.

From New Discoveries at Jamestown Site of the First Successful English Settlement in America by Cotter, John L.

I have a couple of wheel locks, to start with, and three miguelet-locks and an Italian snaphaunce.

From Murder in the Gunroom by Piper, H. Beam