Matchlocks are a type of firearm that were popular in the 16th and 17th centuries. They were known for their distinct firing mechanism that required a slow-burning wick, or "match," to ignite the gunpowder. While the term "matchlock" is widely used to describe this type of firearm, there are several other names that have been used over the years. These include arquebus, musket, fusil, and blunderbuss. Each of these terms has a slightly different connotation, but they are all generally used to describe early firearms that relied on the use of a match to fire.