Which of the following is an old type of gun firing mechanism?

The matchlock is considered an old type of gun firing mechanism and represents one of the earliest forms of ignition systems for firearms. This invention dates back to the 15th century and operates through a simple mechanism where a piece of burning wick (the match) is brought into contact with a powder charge to ignite it.

In contrast, rimfire, electric trigger, and gas-operated mechanisms are all more modern inventions. Rimfire cartridges, for instance, were developed later and rely on the rim of the cartridge case being struck by a firing pin to initiate the primer. Electric triggers allow for precise firing through an electronic mechanism, while gas-operated systems utilize the energy from fired cartridges to cycle the action of semi-automatic or automatic weapons. Understanding these distinctions highlights the evolution of firearm technology, demonstrating how mechanisms like the matchlock paved the way for more advanced firing systems.