17th Century Puzzle

[fernando]

Great lectures Philip

Originally Posted by Philip

... Snaphaunces were made also in Holland, Italy, and later Morocco but these are more advanced since the mechanism is provided with a push-rod and bell-crank linkage between the tumbler and pan-cover so that the cover AUTOMATICALLY opens when the gun fires... .

If i may hijack the thread, bluelake, attached is one rustic example of the Snaphaunce version quoted by Philip, in that the pan cover opens while you fire the gun.
I beleive this is a Moroccan specimen, possibly from the 19th century, although i ignore where the gunsmith inspired his imagination to make such a bizarre butt stock, resembling somehow those from early weel lock pistols.
Fernando

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