Doglock

Doglock refers to the lock that preceded the 'true' flintlock in both rifles and pistols in the 17th century. Commonly used throughout Europe in the 17th century, it gained popular favor in the British and Dutch military. A doglock carbine was the principal weapon of the harquebusier, the most numerous type of cavalry in the armies of the Thirty Years War and English Civil War era.

Much like the later flintlock devices it contained the flint, frizzen, and pan, yet had an external catch as a half cock safety, known as the "dog". This added safety to the firearm in that it would not accidentally go off "half-cocked". This fell out of favor with the British before 1720. Later flintlocks would contain no such catch.^[1]

References

1. ^ Blackmore, Howard L. British Military Firearms, 1650-1850. Greenhill Pr, 1994.