ALGERIAN FLINTLOCK LONG GUN

[Philip]

Ricky,
Thanks for posting the picture of the reproduction Portuguese-style gun. So good that a gunsmith is interested in making a quality, working replica of an obscure European snaplock mechanism that the vast majority of enthusiasts aren't even aware of. I've seen some contemporary copies of early Scandinavian and Russian snaphaunces (a type so rudimentary that the pancover needs to be opened manually as on a matchlock), these are mind-blowing.

Do keep us in the loop when you get your lock and have finished mounting it up onto the gun you're building. Post some pics! Are you aware of the book ESPINGARDA FEITICEIRA / THE BEWITCHED GUN by Rainer Daehnhardt? About the introduction of snap matchlock firearms to the Far East by the Portuguese in the 16th cent., one chapter describes a replica of such a musket made by two Portuguese gunsmiths and presented a couple decades ago to the Japanese government as a goodwill gesture to commemorate the events of 1543.