A Portuguese musket for comments

[fernando]

Typical are all details like the stock, the 'pé de cabra' (goat foot) lock and all. Note the the way the main spring is held by the outside of the plate with a pin. Dated 1813, as can be seen on the frizzen base. You could call it a hunting musket, based on the wood decorations and both non sturdy (military) hammer and barrel fixation screw; this one in the 'inverted' position, as typical of the period and local tradition.
The barrel, held by three brass bands, is rather lengthy, with its 100 cms. Calibre approx. 19 mm. Weight 3,800 Kgs.
The ramrod may not be the original one, but surely fits like if it were.
Amazing is that, the decoration not being so profusive, has contemplated the touchole with a few 'arabesques'.

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[rickystl]

Hi Fernando.
What a neat Portuguese fowler. Congratulations. Portuguese (vs Spanish) guns seem to be a rarity in North America. You just never see one. Even at the Baltimore Show. And the distinctive locks with a miquelet style sear mechanism, but the mainspring mounted on the inside of the lockplate. Yes, I see the outside mounted pin for the mainspring. The reverse of the Spanish lock. And the interesting engraving around the vent hole, not often seen.
What a great gun to add to a collection. Nice photos too.
Rick

[Cerjak]

Hi Fernando,
Congrats !
Very desirable military musket !
You could put it under my christmas tree
Best

Jean-Luc

[fernando]

Thank you guys,
I am really enjoying this Christmas addition to my little collection .

[Fernando K]

Hi all

I agree with Fernando, it is a civil weapon (hunting) for the decoration and the lack of rings for carrying strap.
The lock has characteristics of the Spanish lock or pin, but the "wedges" are inverted, or the half-cock of works in the inner curve of the appendix (pin) and the full-cock is achieved by the end of the appendix.
It also has features of the lock of lace. like leaf spring frizzen

Affectionately. Fernando K

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[fernando]

Thank you Fernando ... tocayo


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[Marcus den toom]

Such an amazing find Nando, i especially like the frizzen spring.. it reminds me of the renaissance style of the Arquebuses of the early tot mid 16th century

[fernando]

Indeed Marcus ? Thank you .

[fernando]

Eventually Fernando, this cocking system was also used in Spain, within the 18th century, according to James D. Lavin ( A History of Spanish Firearms).

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[Fernando K]

Hi all

Perhaps the reason that the chocks are invested is that the guarantor (the part that has the arch of half-cock) has little room to be located and the same goes for triggering spring, which has the arch of full- cock, because the nut, and the movement of the mainspring leave little room for mechanisms for full and half-cock-cock

Affectionately. Fernando K

[fernando]

A couple pictures missing in the first post.

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