0.00 seconds, just before firing
Another 9 photos of the firing of a flintlock shotgun
In this series of 9 photos, taken about 1/30 of a second apart, you can see the short duration of the "Flash in the Pan" as the priming powder is burnt followed by the considerable vibration of the recoil as the main charge fires. The gun is a .50 calibre flintlock shotgun, but even so small a calibre (by blackpowder standards) can generate a considerable 'kick' on firing. The shooter is wearing ear plugs for hearing protection and it would seem like a good idea to also wear eye shields! The entire sequence from start to finish has taken about a quarter of a second, quite a long time and one of the reasons that black powder is less accurate than nitro powder.
0.00 seconds, just before firing
0.03 seconds, note the sparks from the frizzen
0.06 seconds, the flash in the pan developing
0.09 seconds, the flash in the pan at a maximum
0.12 seconds, the projectile is fired
0.15 seconds, the smoke is starting to form
0.18 seconds, more smoke forming
0.21 seconds, almost all burning completed
0.24 seconds, The Fog of War caused by the
powder smoke
April 2007