Dutch target arquebuse dated 1630

[Marcus den toom]

Originally Posted by Raf

Might the area inside the line on this detail be a later patch ? This might indicate the approximate shape of the original lock which would justify the matchlock re conversion.

Very astute observation and thank you for pitching in. Indeed this piece of wood has been added later into what appears to be a rectangular shape. Attached two pictures from the inside were the same line can be seen. The only odd thing is that the cut seems to go up all the way towards the tang of the barrel. This piece is now obscured by a thin sheet of brass.
As to the age of the stock it is good to keep all options open. The shape of the stock does correspond with the few examples i know of from other Dutch target guns from the early to mid 17th century. It is quite an odd ball for any other later musket.

The other gun i posted does have a metal bar at the butstock, for whatever reason (see picture). Why these stocks are made in two parts eludes me as well sofar

Luckily the worm damage has only affected a small portion of the butstock and the resting slate of wood on the "foot" of the stock. Other than that the wood is structurally sound. There is one crack at the counter lock plate were there is evidence of older holes for lock fastening bolts as well as the new holes for the percussion lock. For safety reasons i have treated those parts with profesional wood worm killer (used for antique wood).