Marin le Bourgeoys
Encyclopedia
Marin le Bourgeoys is most well known for inventing the flintlock mechanism
that was used on weapons for over two hundred years.
Marin le Bourgeoys was born into a noted artisan family in Lisieux, in Normandy, France. He was probably initially trained as a painter. He later attained fame not only as an artist, but as a gunsmith, inventor, and luthier. In 1598, his talents attracted King Henry IV, and he was appointed Valet de Chambre in the Royal Court. In 1608, he was granted rooms in the Grand Gallery of the Louvre. He produced artwork, firearms, air guns, crossbows, and movable globes.
He continued in royal service under the reign of King Louis XIII. Sometime between 1610 and 1615 it is believed that he created the first true flintlock
weapon. His basic design was copied and soon spread over all of Europe. His weapons were considered pieces of art, and Louis XIII kept many of them in a private collection. The King also gave them to favored courtiers and visitors that were held in high esteem.
One feature of Marin le Bourgeoys' lock was that it had a half cocked position, from which the weapon could be loaded but would not fire. This feature proved to be much safer than earlier designs, and was widely implemented as other gunsmiths copied the flintlock.
Marin le Bourgeoys' design was standard in firearm use until the 1840's, when it was finally replaced by percussion lock systems.
Flintlock mechanism
The flintlock mechanism was a firing mechanism used on muskets and rifles in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. It is commonly referred to as a "flintlock" , though that term is also commonly used for the weapons themselves as a whole, and not just the lock mechanism.The flintlock was developed in...
that was used on weapons for over two hundred years.
Marin le Bourgeoys was born into a noted artisan family in Lisieux, in Normandy, France. He was probably initially trained as a painter. He later attained fame not only as an artist, but as a gunsmith, inventor, and luthier. In 1598, his talents attracted King Henry IV, and he was appointed Valet de Chambre in the Royal Court. In 1608, he was granted rooms in the Grand Gallery of the Louvre. He produced artwork, firearms, air guns, crossbows, and movable globes.
He continued in royal service under the reign of King Louis XIII. Sometime between 1610 and 1615 it is believed that he created the first true flintlock
Flintlock
Flintlock is the general term for any firearm based on the flintlock mechanism. The term may also apply to the mechanism itself. Introduced at the beginning of the 17th century, the flintlock rapidly replaced earlier firearm-ignition technologies, such as the doglock, matchlock and wheellock...
weapon. His basic design was copied and soon spread over all of Europe. His weapons were considered pieces of art, and Louis XIII kept many of them in a private collection. The King also gave them to favored courtiers and visitors that were held in high esteem.
One feature of Marin le Bourgeoys' lock was that it had a half cocked position, from which the weapon could be loaded but would not fire. This feature proved to be much safer than earlier designs, and was widely implemented as other gunsmiths copied the flintlock.
Marin le Bourgeoys' design was standard in firearm use until the 1840's, when it was finally replaced by percussion lock systems.