MALAYSIAN MATCHLOCK MUSKET FOR COMMENT

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by rickystl

Hi Estcrh.
Yes, I see what you mean. OK, the hole in the breech plug is just to assist with a removal tool. I was also thinking the square hole in the stock is used to keep the breechplug tight in the barrel similar to Japanese matchlocks (?). I was just curious to see if the breechplug design of the Malaysian and Japanese matchlocks were similar. It would not have surprised me if they were.
Rick.

Rick, that is correct on both assumptions I think, although many Japanese matchlock owners have a hard time believing that the barrel bolt (bisen) on their Japanese matchlocks actually can be removed as they are often completely stuck to the point that they sometimes get broken off in the attempt. Some are not square though, I have seen round ended Japanese barrel bolts. Here is a picture of one that I have, it made cleasning the barrel a lot easier.

[rickystl]

Hi Estcrh.
With the exception of the hole in the bolt head, mine is exactly like yours. And the term bolt is probably more accurate in this case since it is not designed as the typical breechplug we are accustomed to seeing. My bolt came out without much effort. I re-applied Kroil oil around the edges of the bolt head off and on for about three weeks to give it time to penetrate. Then a little heat and it came right out with a cresent wrench. As I recall, the bolt is about 1.25" long. The head of the bolt does not really tighten into the barrel, but just snugs up flush to the breech face. It took me a while to figure out that the bolt is held in tight when the tapered square plug is returned to the slot in the breech of the stock. Had to hammer it back in using a wood block. (To get the barrel off I had to hammer against the iron pan using the same wood block. Took me about half a day to figure out how it all came apart. LOL).
When I saw the square slot in the stock of the Malaysian gun, By the barrel photos of the Mal gun above, I can't tell if it's similar or not.
Rick.

[rickystl]

Here's my Japanese barrel: I stand corrected!!! It does have the hole in the bolt head. Somehow, I did not remember this (getting old).
I just remembered removing it with a cresent wrench. OH Well.
Rick.

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by rickystl

Here's my Japanese barrel: I stand corrected!!! It does have the hole in the bolt head. Somehow, I did not remember this (getting old).
I just remembered removing it with a cresent wrench. OH Well.
Rick.

Rick, if you want it translated post pictures here.

http://thesamuraiarmourforum.com/boa...ju-accessories

[rickystl]

Thanks Estcrh !!!
Rick