Torador breeching.

archer · 13th February 2018, 02:45 AM

Recently read I think in Elgoods book that clay balls were used for birds and the like seems lodical not to waste lead. Pukka bundock also mentioned them here in this thread. The story goes that rocks were shot really how many correctly sized round rocks can you find in a week? So it would seem this is another story that has no merit. Clay balls likely looked like rocks and were no doubt fired at times. Steve

Pukka Bundook · 13th February 2018, 03:54 AM

Steve,

Clay balls is another thing for us to try !

At least clay is cheap. (Ice at present would be cheaper still, but less common in Mughal India most of the time. )

Your finding that manure -(Cow manure or some such) was used as wadding helps an awful lot with the chamber problem, and for the record, I did try this at the weekend and it Does work Very well!

(Dry manure,...not fresh. ) :-)
I know I stated the above in your recent Interesting barrel thread, but wanted to put it here as well for future searches.

Actually, it is all getting very exciting....how readily available most of the loading components are. :-)
As I get down to measuring other chambers, I will keep you posted on volumes and measurements, as close as possible.

Thanks again,

Richard.

David R · 13th February 2018, 11:46 AM

Watching these torador threads with a lot of interest. I have one myself, bought years ago, and always wondered what they would be like to shoot.

I read an account of Skinners Horse (Yellowboys) demonstrating their skills, and they shot at bottles hung from a tree branch, while at full gallop.

Pukka Bundook · 13th February 2018, 01:52 PM

David,

Do you have a link to your matchlock?
If not, I'd love to see it somewhere!

The "enquiring mind" on these is what got me interested in firing one as well!

I would really like to hear if and when you do get yours running. :-)
Yes, I know these are antique artefacts, but so much remains academic unless we can fill out the picture to some degree.

To me, the more we learn about these, and the people /culture, the richer our experience becomes. Have been enjoying looking at miniature paintings of hunting scenes, (Moghul etc. ) So vibrant and full of life and humour!
We should start a thread on these!

Very best,
Richard.

archer · 13th February 2018, 04:47 PM

Hi Richard,
Waiting your trial runs with clay. My guess is that for birds and other small
game the clay balls might be aimed in front and below the target. Fragmenting into crude shot with a similar effect to barking a squirrel Daniel Boone style.
Know any potters or will Moms oven work? Steve

Pukka Bundook · 14th February 2018, 02:17 PM

Archer,

Please do not hold your breath on the clay balls! You will go a funny colour.

The ground is very frozen and must thaw first, and before that, the foot or two of snow must melt. It has been cold this winter, and minus 30C to minus 38C or more not uncommon.

(Coldest recorded here was Minus 91F!.............with the wind they reckon.)
Froze a lot of cows that winter.

Re clay balls;
Been thinking how they could be made a consistent size. A mould with relief grooves to allow excess to 'squidge' out seems practical.

More than likely just roll a ball and see'f it fits!

archer · 14th February 2018, 07:44 PM

Hi Richard,
Any suitable lead mold should do fine. I’m trying to say decide whether to get snow out of Drive or off deck first. Steve

13th February 2018, 02:45 AM	#1
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Clay balls Recently read I think in Elgoods book that clay balls were used for birds and the like seems lodical not to waste lead. Pukka bundock also mentioned them here in this thread. The story goes that rocks were shot really how many correctly sized round rocks can you find in a week? So it would seem this is another story that has no merit. Clay balls likely looked like rocks and were no doubt fired at times. Steve

13th February 2018, 11:46 AM	#3
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,114	Watching these torador threads with a lot of interest. I have one myself, bought years ago, and always wondered what they would be like to shoot. I read an account of Skinners Horse (Yellowboys) demonstrating their skills, and they shot at bottles hung from a tree branch, while at full gallop. Attached Images

13th February 2018, 04:47 PM	#5
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Clay balls Hi Richard, Waiting your trial runs with clay. My guess is that for birds and other small game the clay balls might be aimed in front and below the target. Fragmenting into crude shot with a similar effect to barking a squirrel Daniel Boone style. Know any potters or will Moms oven work? Steve

14th February 2018, 07:44 PM	#7
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Molds Hi Richard, Any suitable lead mold should do fine. I’m trying to say decide whether to get snow out of Drive or off deck first. Steve

13th February 2018, 03:54 AM	#2
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Steve, Clay balls is another thing for us to try ! At least clay is cheap. (Ice at present would be cheaper still, but less common in Mughal India most of the time. ) Your finding that manure -(Cow manure or some such) was used as wadding helps an awful lot with the chamber problem, and for the record, I did try this at the weekend and it Does work Very well! (Dry manure,...not fresh. ) :-) I know I stated the above in your recent Interesting barrel thread, but wanted to put it here as well for future searches. Actually, it is all getting very exciting....how readily available most of the loading components are. :-) As I get down to measuring other chambers, I will keep you posted on volumes and measurements, as close as possible. Thanks again, Richard.

13th February 2018, 01:52 PM	#4
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	David, Do you have a link to your matchlock? If not, I'd love to see it somewhere! The "enquiring mind" on these is what got me interested in firing one as well! I would really like to hear if and when you do get yours running. :-) Yes, I know these are antique artefacts, but so much remains academic unless we can fill out the picture to some degree. To me, the more we learn about these, and the people /culture, the richer our experience becomes. Have been enjoying looking at miniature paintings of hunting scenes, (Moghul etc. ) So vibrant and full of life and humour! We should start a thread on these! Very best, Richard.

14th February 2018, 02:17 PM	#6
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Archer, Please do not hold your breath on the clay balls! You will go a funny colour. The ground is very frozen and must thaw first, and before that, the foot or two of snow must melt. It has been cold this winter, and minus 30C to minus 38C or more not uncommon. (Coldest recorded here was Minus 91F!.............with the wind they reckon.) Froze a lot of cows that winter. Re clay balls; Been thinking how they could be made a consistent size. A mould with relief grooves to allow excess to 'squidge' out seems practical. More than likely just roll a ball and see'f it fits!