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rickystl · 29th December 2015, 05:39 PM

Hi Richard.

And a belated Merry Christmas to you too !!!

That's a very good explanation of the matchlock developement. I'm often guilty of using over-generalized/wrong terms when discussing these guns.

Sort of like talking to myself. LOL
Basically, what I was refering to is the earlier style of lowering the serpantine/matchcord to the pan by moving the lever/button, either slow or fast depending on hand speed verus the latter by just squeezing the trigger, as normally associated with most firearms. Sort of tough to explain. But you probably know what I mean (although others might not ? LOL ).

Shooting the Japanese matchlock has a special learning curve besides firing from the cheek vs the shoulder. Even at full-cock position, the serpantine and thus the match sits VERY close to the pan. It's easy for a hot coal from the match to drop in the pan and the gun go off unexpectingly! (Don't ask how I know this LOL ). Anyway, I degress. I'm getting too far away from the subject of this Thread - which has been great fun !!! Thanks to all who participated.
Rick.

p.s. There is another curiosity with these Ottoman style rifles that is still a mystery to me. But I'll start a new Thread this week after taking a couple photos.

29th December 2015, 05:39 PM	#46
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,629	Hi Richard. And a belated Merry Christmas to you too !!! That's a very good explanation of the matchlock developement. I'm often guilty of using over-generalized/wrong terms when discussing these guns. Sort of like talking to myself. LOL Basically, what I was refering to is the earlier style of lowering the serpantine/matchcord to the pan by moving the lever/button, either slow or fast depending on hand speed verus the latter by just squeezing the trigger, as normally associated with most firearms. Sort of tough to explain. But you probably know what I mean (although others might not ? LOL ). Shooting the Japanese matchlock has a special learning curve besides firing from the cheek vs the shoulder. Even at full-cock position, the serpantine and thus the match sits VERY close to the pan. It's easy for a hot coal from the match to drop in the pan and the gun go off unexpectingly! (Don't ask how I know this LOL ). Anyway, I degress. I'm getting too far away from the subject of this Thread - which has been great fun !!! Thanks to all who participated. Rick. p.s. There is another curiosity with these Ottoman style rifles that is still a mystery to me. But I'll start a new Thread this week after taking a couple photos.