What common mechanism is used in both the wheel lock and flintlock firearms?

The correct answer is indeed founded on the shared component of flint and steel used in both the wheel lock and flintlock firearms. In these mechanisms, the ignition process relies on creating a spark when flint strikes steel. In a wheel lock, a rotating wheel made of hardened steel is spun against a piece of flint to create sparks, which ignite the gunpowder. In contrast, the flintlock employs a fixed piece of flint that strikes a steel frizzen during firing, producing sparks that also ignite the powder.

This commonality highlights an essential aspect of early firearm ignition systems before the advent of percussion caps and modern firing mechanisms. Understanding this relationship is crucial for appreciating the historical development of firearms and their operation during that era.