Lock 'n load

[4V50 Gary]

OK, I'm no reenactor and haven't really scrutinized the military manuals of the flintlock era. I'm inclined to believe the order "Lock and Load" come from that era. The British commands were different (Prime your firelock) but lock and load could be in reference to prime your lock from your paper cartridge and then load your firelock from the rest of the paper cartridge.

Thoughts?

 

[Hawg]

The earliest reference I found was 1793 but it wasn't common usage until 1940 in reference to the M1 Garand.

 

[bladesmith 1]

I've been shooting muzzleloaders from around 1971 or 72 and have never heard that saying. Kind a agree with Hawg.

 

[mehavey]

See https://www.wordorigins.org/big-list-entries/lock-and-load for a pretty fair run down

 

[4V50 Gary]

Thanks mehavey!