The Percussion Cap
by Rev. Alexander John Forsyth
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In April 1807 the Reverend Alexander John Forsyth, parish minister of Belhelvie in Aberdeenshire, patented percussion ignition — replacing the unreliable flintlock spark with a fulminating compound detonated by a hammer blow. His 'scent-bottle' lock laid the foundation for the percussion cap, the metallic cartridge and every modern firearm primer system.
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