content_output-089_9 (Q6835)

is still preserved, and, as will be seen by the illustration, the friction necessary to the production of the sparks is obtained by drawing out and pushing in the roughened steel, or file, against the flake of flint which presses down upon it near the flash-hole. The pyrites is held in the jaws of the serpentin so shaped as to form a strong spring upon the side of the weapon; there is a guard underneath to assist the hand whilst gripping the pistol. The ring at the breech is attached to a bar of steel with a serrated edge against which the pyrites presses: the touch-hole is immediately in front of the pyrites; by drawing the ring sharply the serrated edges move past the pyrites, and the required stream of sparks is thus obtained and the priming ignited.