Matchlock flash in the pan !

Matchlock · 1st July 2012, 06:50 PM

Thanks, Richmond,

Well, looks like I got them, as well as guts ...

Actually it is not that dangerous as long as the barrel is in good overall condition.
In my experience, even a thick stable layer of inside rust does not really matter, considering the enormously thick barrel walls of 16th and 17th c. muskets which have an average weight of ca. 6-9 kgs. The heaviest matchlock musket I ever handled, Suhl made, dated 1636, is in my collection. It weighs in almost 10 kgs (the barrel alone 8 kgs), it is not a wall gun - and I fired it! Due to its enormous weight I remember the recoil was very soft.
Actually getting it ignited was not exactly easy because of the thick barrel walls; I had to fill priming powder into the touch hole until it was literally flowing over!
And: aiming a monster like that makes you understand while the old musketeers employed a rest ...

In the 1980's, the staff of the Graz armory, Styria, undertook a major project recorded both in a catalog and on VHS video, firing 200-400 year-old flintlock, wheellock and matchlock muskets, and flintlock and wheellock pistols, all from their collections. OK, it is true they had them officially proofed before, and the barrels got struck with modern proof stamps as well - which in my eyes is cruel.

m

thinreadline · 1st July 2012, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matchlock

Thanks, Richmond,

Well, looks like I got them, as well as guts ...

Actually it is not that dangerous as long as the barrel is in good overall condition.
In my experience, even a thick stable layer of inside rust does not really matter, considering the enormously thick barrel walls of 16th and 17th c. muskets which have an average weight of ca. 6-9 kgs. The heaviest matchlock musket I ever handled, Suhl made, dated 1636, is in my collection. It weighs almost 10 kgs (the barrel alone 8 kgs), it is not a wall gun - and I fired it! Due to its enormous weight I remember the recoil was very soft.
And: aiming a monster like that you understand while the old musketeers employed a rest ...

In the 1980's, the staff of the Graz armory, Styria, undertook a major project recorded both in a catalog and on VHS video, firing 200-400 year-old flintlock, wheellock and matchlock muskets, and flintlock and wheellock pistols, all from their collections. OK, it is true they had them officially proofed before, and the barrels got struck with modern proof stamps as well - which in my eyes is cruel.

m

Yes thats interesting Michael .. I am all for these old guns being fired . I shoot many original blackpowder guns but simply cannot afford an original English matchlock , which is why I had this replica made. I agree that the weight of these pieces has a very beneficial effect of reducing recoil and my replica weighs in at 6kg .. but it always surprises people that its 'kick' is so soft .
I too find it sad that the historic pieces you refer to had been stamped with modern proof marks ... I hope they stamped themin a discreet position.

Matchlock · 1st July 2012, 07:59 PM

Far from that, Richmond,

They stamped those barrels clearly visible: on top, and right next to the original 400 year-old proof and smiths' marks ...

That's what I call a cruel thing to do.

Btw, you might have missed an addition I made editing my post:

Actually getting it ignited was not exactly easy because of the thick barrel walls; I had to fill priming powder into the touch hole until it was literally flowing over!

m

rickystl · 2nd July 2012, 08:10 PM

Hi Michael. FANTASTIC !!!! The photo caught that wheel turning at just the right momment. Nothing beats the experience of firing an original. Although most collectors would be terrified to shoot an original. I too am a black powder shooter. But, I'm trying to imagine the experience of firing an ORIGINAL 400+ year old gun. Only in my dreams.

Thanks for posting!!!!! Rick.

bluelake · 31st July 2012, 11:40 PM

Back at the beginning of June, I had to demonstrate a Korean/Japanese style matchlock for Korea's KBS TV, for their show, "History Special".

Here is a video my wife took of the TV crew taping me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtZOMwOlft0

Here is what the TV crew did:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYCAp1DK2PY

It went o.k., but there were a few misfires and hangfires (like the 10-sec. one in the KBS clip).

1st July 2012, 06:50 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Thanks, Richmond, Well, looks like I got them, as well as guts ... Actually it is not that dangerous as long as the barrel is in good overall condition. In my experience, even a thick stable layer of inside rust does not really matter, considering the enormously thick barrel walls of 16th and 17th c. muskets which have an average weight of ca. 6-9 kgs. The heaviest matchlock musket I ever handled, Suhl made, dated 1636, is in my collection. It weighs in almost 10 kgs (the barrel alone 8 kgs), it is not a wall gun - and I fired it! Due to its enormous weight I remember the recoil was very soft. Actually getting it ignited was not exactly easy because of the thick barrel walls; I had to fill priming powder into the touch hole until it was literally flowing over! And: aiming a monster like that makes you understand while the old musketeers employed a rest ... In the 1980's, the staff of the Graz armory, Styria, undertook a major project recorded both in a catalog and on VHS video, firing 200-400 year-old flintlock, wheellock and matchlock muskets, and flintlock and wheellock pistols, all from their collections. OK, it is true they had them officially proofed before, and the barrels got struck with modern proof stamps as well - which in my eyes is cruel. m Last edited by Matchlock; 1st July 2012 at 08:38 PM.

1st July 2012, 07:59 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Far from that, Richmond, They stamped those barrels clearly visible: on top, and right next to the original 400 year-old proof and smiths' marks ... That's what I call a cruel thing to do. Btw, you might have missed an addition I made editing my post: Actually getting it ignited was not exactly easy because of the thick barrel walls; I had to fill priming powder into the touch hole until it was literally flowing over! m Last edited by Matchlock; 2nd July 2012 at 01:29 AM.

2nd July 2012, 08:10 PM	#4
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,630	Hi Michael. FANTASTIC !!!! The photo caught that wheel turning at just the right momment. Nothing beats the experience of firing an original. Although most collectors would be terrified to shoot an original. I too am a black powder shooter. But, I'm trying to imagine the experience of firing an ORIGINAL 400+ year old gun. Only in my dreams. Thanks for posting!!!!! Rick.

31st July 2012, 11:40 PM	#5
bluelake Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Gyeongsan, South Korea Posts: 57	Back at the beginning of June, I had to demonstrate a Korean/Japanese style matchlock for Korea's KBS TV, for their show, "History Special". Here is a video my wife took of the TV crew taping me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtZOMwOlft0 Here is what the TV crew did: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYCAp1DK2PY It went o.k., but there were a few misfires and hangfires (like the 10-sec. one in the KBS clip).