Tschinke Wheellock Rifle for Comment

[rickystl]

Hello all. A new acquaintance, and a local collector living in my city, showed me a new purchase he just made. He says this is a Tschinke/Selician Wheellock rifle. These are the first two pictures, but I have been promised additional close uo photos and a description of what he believes this gun to be. I have personally held this piece. It is in very good condition and is complete with it's original spanner wrench. The barrel is swamped octagon and has eight groove rifling. It has a fantastic overall patina with no chips in the wood, or anything missing. More photos to come in a couple days. Thanks for looking. Any additional identification appreciated. Rick.

[fernando]

Very nice gun Rick, no doubt !
You sure have a circle of acquaintances who hold the most interesting examples .

[Fernando K]

Hola:

Me temo que falta la palanca para armar el mecanismo de disparo, Justamente, iba colocada en el agujero que se vé en la placa que cubre el resorte (spring) de la rueda.

¿que es esa palanca que está fijada al disparador (trigger)?

Hi
I'm afraid it lacks the lever to arm the trigger mechanism, precisely, was placed in the hole you see in the plate covering the spring of the wheel.

What is the lever that is attached to the trigger ?
Fernando K

.

[rickystl]

Hi Fernando!! The owner says he bought it at a gun show in Louisville, Kentucky USA about four months ago. A most unlikely place. He mentioned that he might be interested in selling it sometime next year. I would surely like to own this gun. But I fear his asking price. Can't wait to see more photos.

Hi Fernando K !!! Very good observation on your part. The gun has an external main spring.
The bar at the rear of the trigger is an early form of adjustable trigger. Very unique. I've never seen one before on a gun this early. The owner said he would show me how it works when I get to view the gun again next month.

Rick.

[Matchlock]

Hi Rick,

I'm afraid to say that this is in no case a characteristic mid-2nd half Silesian/Polish Tschinke ...

The mechanism is of Tschinke mid-17th c. type alright, but the rest of the gun is way too heavily built and too short at the same time. If you wish me to I'll post images of characteristic 1630's-40's Tschinkes. I'm almost sure sure your barrel is shorter, heavier and of unusually large (rifled?) caliber. The average Tschinke calber is of 9-13 mm rifled bore - they were ladies' birding guns after all.

Best, Michael

[rickystl]

Originally Posted by Matchlock

Hi Rick,

I'm afraid to say that this is in no case a characteristic mid-2nd half Silesian/Polish Tschinke ...

The mechanism is of Tschinke mid-17th c. type alright, but the rest of the gun is way too heavily built and too short at the same time. If you wish me to I'll post images of characteristic 1630's-40's Tschinkes. I'm almost sure sure your barrel is shorter, heavier and of unusually large (rifled?) caliber. The average Tschinke calber is of 9-13 mm rifled bore - they were ladies' birding guns after all.

Best, Michael

Hi Michael. I very much agree with your assesment. I've actually held three original Tschinke rifles, and viewed many photos in reference books. The three I inspected had the covered wheel. And, as you said, have longer, slim, and smaller caliber barrels. As well, the stock architecture is very different. Having held this piece, it looks like it was made as a larger caliber hunting rifle utilizing a Tschinke lock. (?)
The index card attached to the trigger guard had a description of what the owner "thinks" he has. Unfortunately, my aging memory can't recall the information on the card. However, I should receive this along with the additional photos over the weekend and will Post here.
Michael: Thanks to your expertise, we will be able to advise him a more accurate assesment of what he really owns. This should be fun.
Rick.