16th and 17th Century Ramrods and Their Tools

[Matchlock]

Great find, Raf,

Do you have more close-up details of that guy maintaining the wheellock saddle carbine? To me it looks as if he is wiping the pan, and/or is applying some oil.
I sent you a PM; could you please mail the link to the site of that auction house - provided their catalog can still be viewed online.

Although the buttstock of the carbine is hidden by the guy's right leg, the gun seems to be of post-Thirty Years War second half 17th century type, ca. 1670-1700, a span to which most surviving 'military' wheellock saddle carbines can be assigned - see attachments.
By the 1680's, the form of the buttstock, which at that period was of Baroque style 'paddle'-like shape, began to lose its rounded belly, at the same time adopting the straight so-called 'French' buttstock. For about 350 years of experimenting with various shapes, right through the Gothic and Renaissance styles, that straight and flat French form with the beveled edges became generally accepted. It obviously is ideal for man to aim, both orthopedically and ergonomically. Even today, it is still found almost unaltered on many modern English shotguns.
By ca. 1600, the French sense of style had generally prevailed over the former 16th century Italian Renaissance influence, all over Central and Northern Europe including Britain, Ireland and Scotland. This was true for arsenal weapons as well which usually lagged behind in style, as compared to arms ordered by the nobility.


Best,
Michael