Indeed, the first available flintlocks were often assigned to guard the powder train where weapons with a slow-burning match posed a particular danger. The lock is shown here in the half cocked, ready to load position. The lock is shown here in the fully cocked, ready to fire position. Below is an example of this conversion in an early 19th century coach gun. Note the unusual incorporation of the flintlock spring into this conversion.
Coach guns are close quarter defensive weapons used to fire either shot or a round ball.
Travel up to the late 19th century was plagued by highway robbers, so it was essential to carry appropriate protection. This weapon could be very easily concealed or inconspicuously carried in the coach. Several different designs were commercially manufactured, one of which was the Snider. The Snider rifle used a brass cartridge that was loaded through the breech. An external hammer struck a long firing pin that contacted the primer in a center-fire cartridge.