Flintlock pistols were so called because the lock used a flint to strike sparks into the priming pan when the trigger was pulled. A small amount of gunpowder in the pan was ignited, which in turn ignited the main gunpowder charge in the barrel, firing the lead ball. Often the priming charge would burn but fail to ignite the main charge, whence the expression 'flash in the pan'. Pirates of the 18th century carried pistols similar to this French flintlock in their raiding exploits. As such skirmishes rarely included time-outs for reloading, a cutlass would accompany the pistol. Decorated with a skull and crossbones, this non-firing replica is great for the piratically inclined.