Ignition herb
Zündkraut is either very finely grained ( grain size FFFF) or not at all grained black powder , the so-called flour powder . It is used on muzzle loaders with a stone lock , wheel lock or matchlock .
The necessity to use the igniter is that the actual propellant charge powder is more difficult to ignite by sparks . That is why the ignition herb is used as an intermediate stage due to its easy flammability. At the flintlock z. B. strikes a spring-powered flint or pebbles against a steel surface, the fire steel . The sparks generated in this way ignite the igniter in the pan below, after which the ignition is transferred to the actual propellant charge through the ignition hole drilled in the barrel . The ignition of the exposed igniter and the escaping pressure through the ignition hole is also the reason why it is advisable to keep a lateral distance to the pan when shooting.