Ottoman matchlock examples.

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by rickystl

One thing interesting to note about these matchlocks: Wheather Ottoman, Arab, Indian, etc., the trigger/bar to serpentine mechanism are virtually identical on every specimen I've seen. I've never seen one of these guns with a late style European or Japanese style "snapping" matchlock mechanism. So that style must have been consider reliable enough to become standardized accross the Empire.
Rick.

Rick your right, all of the south east asia matchlocks (Japan, Vietman, Malaysia) were based on the ones made in Goa India which used the short lived European (Bohemian) version of the snap matchlock but the Indians used the Ottoman style matchlock as did the Arabs.

When the Japanese first saw the matchlocks that the Portuguese brought with them to Japan in 1543 they had nothing else to base their own version on. There is some evidence that the Chinese prefered the Ottoman style matchlocks.

"Science among the Ottomans: The Cultural Creation and Exchange of Knowledge", Miri Shefer-Mossensohn, University of Texas Press, Oct 15, 2015.

[estcrh]

Here is another one that is in a German museum, I found it by using a German search term (luntenschlossgewehr Osmanisch), this is an unusual example as it is a combination matchlock and miquelet lock.

This Ottoman rifle is one of the few preserved in the Dresden armory from the relief of Vienna. It was captured at the battle of September 12, 1683 and a year later given as a gift to the Elector Johann Georg III. This weapon has a double lock system. It is equipped with both the ancient matchlock as well as an Ottoman snap lock, both have their own trigger, and can thus be operated separately. This peculiarity of the rifle can be regarded as evidence of a time of change within the Ottoman army, in which more and more innovations from Europe (now militarily superior) were adapted. Length 139 cm, Weight 5418 g.

[estcrh]

Another unusual example from the same German museum, the maker of this one seems to have attempted to add a European flair to the stock, usually it was the Europeans that tried to copy the Ottoman designs. Overall length 147.3 cm, Weight 3512 g.

[rickystl]

WOW!! Great photos and Thread here. Thanks for Posting.

Estcrh: Some comments on the last two gun photos above.

First Photo: Since this gun with both matchlock and flintlock can be dated to at least 1683, does seem to offer evidence of the Ottomans use/experimentation with the miquelet flintlock early on. Almost a transistional piece. It also makes complete sense from a shooters perspective. A warrior could enter a battle with the flintlock primed, at full cock, and ready to fire. But also, the match cord could be lit and ready should the flintlock fail to ignite the priming charge due to a dull flint. The match cord could immediatly be lowered to fire the gun with little extra movement. Also, the flintlock with priming in the pan only (no load in the barrel) would be a quick and efficient way to lite the match cord before loading the barrel. So either or both systems could be used depending on the circumstances. Actually, a very clever system for the period. Super cool gun from both a shooters and historical perspective. Also, I note the ramrod construction for this piece is very similar to early European style matchlocks.

Second Photo: Another really interesting Ottoman gun. Similar to a pre-1650 style English fish tail butt stock. Also note the rear sight. Done in the European style, and positioned just ahead of the breech area like European matchlocks versus the "peep" style rear sight positioned at the rear of the breech as was common with most Ottoman guns.

Rick.

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by rickystl

First Photo: Since this gun with both matchlock and flintlock can be dated to at least 1683, does seem to offer evidence of the Ottomans use/experimentation with the miquelet flintlock early on. Almost a transistional piece.

Rick, here is a reference that dates the use of flintlocks by the Ottomans to the "late 16th century", it also states that the matchlock was used "well into the 17th century". I have read that the Ottomans started using matchlocks from the late 15th century/very early 16th century. This would indicate around two hundred years of matchlock use. It looks like the matchlock and flintlock/miguelet co-existed for quite some time.

"Encyclopedia of the Ottoman Empire", Ga ́bor A ́goston, Bruce Alan Masters, 2009.

[estcrh]

Here are a couple of close up images from Eftihis, one shows what look like a small brass tube attached to the stock for a pricker to clean the primer pan hole. The others show the inlay and channels cut into the barrel and the stock inlay.

[Pukka Bundook]

These images were from an Italian auction house earlier this year;
Not a matchlock, but worth looking at!