1. Plural of flintlock; firearms equipped with a flintlock mechanism, a firing device that produces sparks by striking flint against steel.
Usage: historical; typically refers to muskets or pistols from the 17th–18th centuries
2. Plural of flintlock; the mechanical firing mechanisms themselves that use flint and steel to ignite gunpowder.
Usage: technical; refers to the component rather than the complete weapon

Examples

• The museum displayed a collection of antique flintlocks from the American Revolution.
• Soldiers in the 18th century relied on flintlocks as their primary weapons.
• The gunsmith carefully repaired the flintlocks on several old muskets.
• Flintlocks were eventually replaced by more reliable percussion cap firearms.
• Historical reenactors practice firing replica flintlocks at demonstrations.