(v.) To ready the mechanism of a gun for firing, e.g., as in "to cock the hammer." (n.) Obsolete term for hammer.
the part of a gunlock that strikes the percussion cap when the trigger is pulled
set the trigger of a firearm back for firing
To place the hammer, firing-pin or striker in position for firing.
1 On a flintlock weapon the hammer or piece holding the flint. 2 On percussion weapons, the piece striking the cap. 3 To draw back hammer or firing pin against mainspring compression in preparation for firing a weapon. At full cock the trigger mechanism engages the hammer or firing pin, holding it against mainspring tension, so that pressure on the trigger will release the hammer or firing pin, causing the mainspring to drive it against the primer to fire the weapon. Half cock arrangement on some firearms permits engaging the hammer in a notch far enough to the rear to prevent accidental firing of the primer. In this case trigger pressure will not fire the gun. In some revolvers half cock frees the cylinder to turn for loading and unloading.
On early firearms such as the flintlock and percussion cap rifles, the arm-like "hammer" or device used to set the firearm into "firing" position was called the cock. It is the process by which any firing mechanism is set to be fired.
To set the action into position for firing. On most muzzle loading firearms, the action has an intermediate position called half-cock.
To draw bowstring from braced position to latched position.