A fine Nuremberg matchlock Landsknecht harquebus, dated 1539

Pukka Bundook · 7th December 2008, 02:58 PM

Michael,

These locks appear to be the most "rustic" I've seen whilst still having all the essentials of a matchlock mechanism!

I think it is more the blacksmith construction than anything, as these snapping mechanisms appears of sound enough design.
By the stocks, it looks like they have been badly neglected for a very long time!
I see an exclamation mark after the calibre of the first one, (12mm) I sometimes think we might miss important details if we don't take note of your notes!
This does appear a rather small bore. Is this very rare?

The last lock appears of a rather advanced design, with it's trigger sear, yet the quality of work seems very provincial.

In a way, One would think it was a lock similar to this that the Japanese copied forever.....except their springs were never up to much!

You really do post some interesting stuff!
Can you tell me Michael;
The snap-lock with button on the side-plate, Is the button pressed with the thumb?
I have never had hold of one, so must ask!

Also, The Snap-locks often work the opposite way to a sear lock, the cock moving forward to the pan.
Is this for ease in cocking?, or because the cock snapping down into the pan could send powder back over the fence into the firer's eyes, if made with the cock snapping backwards into the pan?........or some other reason?

Thanks again, and please forgive my questions!

R.

7th December 2008, 02:58 PM	#23
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Michael, These locks appear to be the most "rustic" I've seen whilst still having all the essentials of a matchlock mechanism! I think it is more the blacksmith construction than anything, as these snapping mechanisms appears of sound enough design. By the stocks, it looks like they have been badly neglected for a very long time! I see an exclamation mark after the calibre of the first one, (12mm) I sometimes think we might miss important details if we don't take note of your notes! This does appear a rather small bore. Is this very rare? The last lock appears of a rather advanced design, with it's trigger sear, yet the quality of work seems very provincial. In a way, One would think it was a lock similar to this that the Japanese copied forever.....except their springs were never up to much! You really do post some interesting stuff! Can you tell me Michael; The snap-lock with button on the side-plate, Is the button pressed with the thumb? I have never had hold of one, so must ask! Also, The Snap-locks often work the opposite way to a sear lock, the cock moving forward to the pan. Is this for ease in cocking?, or because the cock snapping down into the pan could send powder back over the fence into the firer's eyes, if made with the cock snapping backwards into the pan?........or some other reason? Thanks again, and please forgive my questions! R. Last edited by Pukka Bundook; 7th December 2008 at 03:12 PM.