Wheellock Mechanism

Matchlock · 22nd August 2011, 09:32 PM

Dear 'Nando,

Thanks a lot for the additional information.

If this gun was not some kind of grenade thrower I still believe it was designed for very special use, as both the brass barrel of rather short dimensions and the caliber of 25 mm are far from being consistent with a regular musket.

Anyway, I will do some research and let you know soon! It should most probably be called some kind of blunderbuss for firing unusually coarse shot or, even more probable, firework items ...

Best,
Michl

rickystl · 23rd August 2011, 04:28 PM

Hi Michel! Thanks for the photo. Oh, what a shame. Yes, lock looks to be way over cleaned. Looks like someone used a wire wheel and Naval Jelly. Too bad. Notice the pawl springs do not match. Maybe an older replacement? But with that much over cleaning, it's hard to tell. Wonder if it's for sale?

Hi Fernando! Thanks for the photo. What an unusual piece. Never seen even a photo of a wheellock with that type of brass barrel. Not only is there no ramrod, there was no provision even made for one. I tend to agree with Michael that there was a special purpose for this piece. Notice the pawls look similar to the ones in Michaels photos.

Well guys, I purchased the Lock!! I'll receive it this week and let you know my thoughts. I was able to negotiate an even lower price than expected due to the missing sear assembly (which I'll have made). Here's a pic of the missing parts. And, I want to thank you BOTH for your assistance helping me decide. (I guess any excuse will work to buy this stuff

Rick.

Matchlock · 23rd August 2011, 06:35 PM

Congratutlations, Rick!

We are eager to hear (and see) more.

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 24th August 2011, 04:35 PM

Hi 'Nando and Rick,

I found another related musket for special purposes, though equipped with a matchlock mechanism, mounted with a thick and heavy brass barrel of unusually big bore (34 mm), and used for firing a number of musket balls at a time.

It is preserved in the Armémuseum Stockholm and came from Gutav Adolphs army.

Best,
Michael

fernando · 25th August 2011, 08:47 PM

Do i understand this example is rather longer (and lighter) than the one i have posted?
It is a pity that neither of the publications mentions the practical use of "my" example, but i wouldn't reject the idea that it could have also been developed for multiple shot.
... although a 25 mm caliber could also stand for a single bullet ... thick short barrel, rest fork and all ?
I hope i am not talking nonsense

.

Matchlock · 26th August 2011, 03:50 PM

You're not talking nonsense at all, 'Nando,

I can't solve the riddle either, though, apart from the fact that 25 mm is definitely not a standard musket caliber. Regular matchlock and wheellock muskets of the early 17th c. normally had smoothbores of ca. 19-20 mm.

We just know way too little about these special pieces.

Best,
Michl

P.S. The fuse is coming your way next week.

fernando · 26th August 2011, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matchlock

...The fuse is coming your way next week.

Oh Michl, i can't wait

23rd August 2011, 04:28 PM	#2
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,632	Hi Michel! Thanks for the photo. Oh, what a shame. Yes, lock looks to be way over cleaned. Looks like someone used a wire wheel and Naval Jelly. Too bad. Notice the pawl springs do not match. Maybe an older replacement? But with that much over cleaning, it's hard to tell. Wonder if it's for sale? Hi Fernando! Thanks for the photo. What an unusual piece. Never seen even a photo of a wheellock with that type of brass barrel. Not only is there no ramrod, there was no provision even made for one. I tend to agree with Michael that there was a special purpose for this piece. Notice the pawls look similar to the ones in Michaels photos. Well guys, I purchased the Lock!! I'll receive it this week and let you know my thoughts. I was able to negotiate an even lower price than expected due to the missing sear assembly (which I'll have made). Here's a pic of the missing parts. And, I want to thank you BOTH for your assistance helping me decide. (I guess any excuse will work to buy this stuff Rick. Attached Images

24th August 2011, 04:35 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi 'Nando and Rick, I found another related musket for special purposes, though equipped with a matchlock mechanism, mounted with a thick and heavy brass barrel of unusually big bore (34 mm), and used for firing a number of musket balls at a time. It is preserved in the Armémuseum Stockholm and came from Gutav Adolphs army. Best, Michael Attached Images

22nd August 2011, 09:32 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Dear 'Nando, Thanks a lot for the additional information. If this gun was not some kind of grenade thrower I still believe it was designed for very special use, as both the brass barrel of rather short dimensions and the caliber of 25 mm are far from being consistent with a regular musket. Anyway, I will do some research and let you know soon! It should most probably be called some kind of blunderbuss for firing unusually coarse shot or, even more probable, firework items ... Best, Michl

23rd August 2011, 06:35 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Congratutlations, Rick! We are eager to hear (and see) more. Best, Michael

25th August 2011, 08:47 PM	#5
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Do i understand this example is rather longer (and lighter) than the one i have posted? It is a pity that neither of the publications mentions the practical use of "my" example, but i wouldn't reject the idea that it could have also been developed for multiple shot. ... although a 25 mm caliber could also stand for a single bullet ... thick short barrel, rest fork and all ? I hope i am not talking nonsense .

26th August 2011, 03:50 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	You're not talking nonsense at all, 'Nando, I can't solve the riddle either, though, apart from the fact that 25 mm is definitely not a standard musket caliber. Regular matchlock and wheellock muskets of the early 17th c. normally had smoothbores of ca. 19-20 mm. We just know way too little about these special pieces. Best, Michl P.S. The fuse is coming your way next week.