Breechblock

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Breechblock \Breech"block\, n.
     The movable piece which closes the breech of a breech-loading
     firearm, and resists the backward force of the discharge. It
     is withdrawn for the insertion of a cartridge, and closed
     again before the gun is fired.
     [1913 Webster]



From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  breechblock
       n : a metal block in breech-loading firearms that is withdrawn
           to insert a cartridge and replaced to close the breech
           before firing [syn: {breech closer}]