Indian matchlock musket

ward · 11th February 2008, 12:18 AM

Nice piece. I bought a similar piece about 25 years ago and it was my first indian riflle . I still have it. These generally range from about 1750-1870. You do not see them often and yours does seem to be complete. What is the caliber ? does it have the copper site at the end of the barrell? As stupid as it sounds I acutually fired mine a few times at the range. I am happy it did not blow up on me and never hit anything with it. odd delay between lowering the lit cord into the powder and it actually firing. What we do when we are young is not allways very intelligent. I will take some pics of my original one if I do not get home to late tomorrow.Mine has a twist barrell but very similar I also have some painted examples with the same form.

fernando · 12th February 2008, 01:14 AM

Thanks a lot for your coments, Ward.
The caliber is about 17 m/m. The front site is a pin, which can be seen in the pictures ... a bit bent, though.
Yes, this musket is complete; however the barrel leather bands, being from the period, are old and slack, the heavy barrel becoming some loose. I will have to fix it with a couple extra plastic sealing bands.
As can be seen in one picture,there is a certain "scale" efect on the barrel steel, except for the breech section, which has a slight "twist" aspect, but i wouldn't know if either of them is damascus.
After i bought this piece, i have visited another shop from the same owner, and he had more examples, one being also painted; but it cost almost three times as much as the one i had bought, so i didn't feel much sorry.
I will be expecting to see pictures of your example.
Fernando

11th February 2008, 12:18 AM	#1
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	Nice piece. I bought a similar piece about 25 years ago and it was my first indian riflle . I still have it. These generally range from about 1750-1870. You do not see them often and yours does seem to be complete. What is the caliber ? does it have the copper site at the end of the barrell? As stupid as it sounds I acutually fired mine a few times at the range. I am happy it did not blow up on me and never hit anything with it. odd delay between lowering the lit cord into the powder and it actually firing. What we do when we are young is not allways very intelligent. I will take some pics of my original one if I do not get home to late tomorrow.Mine has a twist barrell but very similar I also have some painted examples with the same form.

12th February 2008, 01:14 AM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thanks a lot for your coments, Ward. The caliber is about 17 m/m. The front site is a pin, which can be seen in the pictures ... a bit bent, though. Yes, this musket is complete; however the barrel leather bands, being from the period, are old and slack, the heavy barrel becoming some loose. I will have to fix it with a couple extra plastic sealing bands. As can be seen in one picture,there is a certain "scale" efect on the barrel steel, except for the breech section, which has a slight "twist" aspect, but i wouldn't know if either of them is damascus. After i bought this piece, i have visited another shop from the same owner, and he had more examples, one being also painted; but it cost almost three times as much as the one i had bought, so i didn't feel much sorry. I will be expecting to see pictures of your example. Fernando