Need Help Identifying an antique firearm

[Matchlock]

Originally Posted by aptheo

Hello all,

I am a new member, and this is my first post. I have been trying to identify an old gun for some time now, and although I have a degree in history, I am in no way an expert on firearms history. The gun was attributed as a "flintlock ball and cap type blunderbuss" of Spanish origin that is missing the lock, trigger, and stock. When I saw the gun, I doubted that assessment, because there does no appear to have been a flint lock ever attached, and there is no place for a trigger either. I think that it is probably a matchlock. I can't tell if it is a Spanish Blunderbuss (Trabuco) or not, and there are no maker's marks or any other distinguishing marks on the gun. The muzzle has a diameter of about 3/4", or 1 and 9/10 cm. Any help in identifying this old weapon or information in general would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in Advance

Hi Aptheo,

Sadly, it was only this morning that I only noticed your thread, and the highly interesting gun.

I am absolutely convinced that this is a late 15th century (the period of Columbus !!!) or early 16th century 'military' gun mounted with a wrought iron barrel, and stocked in a way which, just like the form of the barrel does - especially the form of the igniting pan and the muzzle - , that all point in the said direction.

This old piece has certainly seen service over maybe hundreds of years, and in the course of time has undergone some alterations and 'modernizations'.

I will comment more on this soon.

For today, I reattached your images, after some photshopping done.

Please see
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...dating+barrels

and my threads:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...dating+barrels

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...iller+haquebut

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...+arquebus+1520

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...iller+haquebut

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...iller+haquebut



Best,
Michael