File:Priming a Mexican War era flintlock.jpg

English: Before the musket can be fired, it must be “primed”. A paper cartridge containing gunpowder and a musketball at the bottom is torn open using the teeth. A small amount of the powder is then poured into the pan. Not too much is needed as black powder burns at a very high rate of speed. The hammer or steel is then brought down to “close” the pan. With the priming powder secured in the pan, the loading process can continue.