Matchlock Arquebus

gbxfb · 8th December 2011, 01:59 PM

Many thanks to Fernando and Michael for their kind and rapid response to my post.

I was sold this gun as a 17th Century composite piece, however, I suspected the barrel was significantly earlier and it is gratifying to have this confirmed by Michael. It is interesting that Michael says that the pan and cover are 1570's Italian in style. The pan and cover are integral with the lock plate, which I realize is not remotely obvious from my poor photographs!

This lock is rather a conundrum. When I bought this piece I dismissed it as of relatively recent manufacture as is the stock, however on close examination it does have some considerable age to it and its action is as good as any I have examined, a good working lock. The sear bar and serpentine crank are of wrought iron construction and show signs of de-lamination which I have seen on English locks of the Civil War period. I have taken some close up pictures of the lock which I hope illustrate this and emailed them to Fernando. When I mentioned earlier that I thought that the lock could be associated with the barrel, it was only because of the considerable care taken to match it to the barrel profile and the work is old. This led me to wonder if the re-stocker found them together in some old wormed stock which we would have conserved! Fanciful maybe, but on reading Michael's threads on how these guns were kept serviceable and were modified for hundreds of years after their original manufacture, even to the fitting of percussion locks, who knows.

The quality of this barrel is a testimony to the skills of the Nuremberg barrel makers who forged it nearly five hundred years ago, but I was wondering
whether it was intended for a martial or civilian piece?

Best regards,
Simon.

8th December 2011, 01:59 PM	#6
gbxfb Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 11	Many thanks to Fernando and Michael for their kind and rapid response to my post. I was sold this gun as a 17th Century composite piece, however, I suspected the barrel was significantly earlier and it is gratifying to have this confirmed by Michael. It is interesting that Michael says that the pan and cover are 1570's Italian in style. The pan and cover are integral with the lock plate, which I realize is not remotely obvious from my poor photographs! This lock is rather a conundrum. When I bought this piece I dismissed it as of relatively recent manufacture as is the stock, however on close examination it does have some considerable age to it and its action is as good as any I have examined, a good working lock. The sear bar and serpentine crank are of wrought iron construction and show signs of de-lamination which I have seen on English locks of the Civil War period. I have taken some close up pictures of the lock which I hope illustrate this and emailed them to Fernando. When I mentioned earlier that I thought that the lock could be associated with the barrel, it was only because of the considerable care taken to match it to the barrel profile and the work is old. This led me to wonder if the re-stocker found them together in some old wormed stock which we would have conserved! Fanciful maybe, but on reading Michael's threads on how these guns were kept serviceable and were modified for hundreds of years after their original manufacture, even to the fitting of percussion locks, who knows. The quality of this barrel is a testimony to the skills of the Nuremberg barrel makers who forged it nearly five hundred years ago, but I was wondering whether it was intended for a martial or civilian piece? Best regards, Simon.