Hello :)
I am currently working on research for a historical-fantasy novel, set in what would be our equivalent year of 1691 A.D. I have done a lot of research on customs, cultures, and politics of the period surrounding this date, but one large question that has yet to be answered clearly is on tactics and warfare. As I understand, the flintlock musket was introduced around this time, in varying degrees and respects, though a lot of the online sources I have found simply elude to 'a changing of tactics with the introduction of the flintlock musket'. So, to restate my question as clearly and conscisely as possible: How did the introduction of the flintlock change how warfare was fought?
Feel free to include as little or as much information as you want, as I said, I have done quite a bit of research on the period (though in an admitedly ametuer fashion), but I should have some context with which to understand more in depth answers.
Thank you!
A bit of clarification is needed here - is your question about the impact of;
A) The introduction of the musket - a gunpowder-based smoothbore projectile weapon that could be handled and operated by a single soldier
B) The introduction of flintlock mechanisms - every firearm needs a method of igniting the gunpowder to propel the projectile and flintlock mechanisms were a step forward in the reliability of muskets. It would be quite hard to look at the effect of their introduction, since they were introduced slowly, with many armies having a mix of weapons, and the musket as a whole was always subject to further refinements in technology and use.
So that's not really an answer yet, apologies. I'll be back with my books in a few hours and can give you more then if you can talk about what you're after.
I'm not sure offhand about changes in tactics, but the flintlock replaced the order match and wheel locks which were more cumbersome and less reliable.
Flintlocks allowed gunpowder troops to stand much closer together than the previous matchlocks, because matchlocks could easily set each other off, as well as having a dangerous flaming rope dangling from their end.
Combined with the bayonet, this effectively let gunpowder troops "hold off" cavalry if charged, making pikemen finally redundant for many armies (although those who faced dedicated heavy cavalry would often keep pikemen around for longer).
Not that this directly answers your question but I would think that maybe the changes and issues surrounding the introduction of the crossbow might be a useful parallel that people of that time might have drawn.
Crossbows started to bring warfare to a more simple level, bows and swords and such took years or even a lifetime to master. Give someone a Crossbow and in a few weeks they can kill one of those people that worked all their life to master warfare.(to greatly simplify the issues)
I would think that the issues that were raised at this change(both for us and perhaps for your character or their predecessors) would be similar to the issues at the rise of muskets.