detant
(dɪˈtænt)
[A variant of detent, affected by the pronunciation of mod.F. détente (detɑ̃t) trigger; established in this sense in gunsmiths' use.]
In the mechanism of a gun-lock, an oscillating tongue pivoted over the half-cock notch in the tumbler, to prevent the sear from catching therein when the cock falls.
| 1884 T. Speedy Sport v. 60 Rifles which are generally made with a very light pull not exceeding two or three pounds, and on the tumbler of which a detant is attached, in order to carry the scear over the half-cock. 1894 W. A. Greener (in letter), Detant not Detent is the usual spelling..the German technical word for the gun-lock detant is Schleuder. |