How far should I restore?

Fourfirs · 22nd March 2020, 09:55 AM

Thanks Stu, I'm hoping to re-assemble the gun next week, I've de-rusted the barrel and now need to glue & clamp the bits of stock.

rickystl · 22nd March 2020, 04:24 PM

Hi Fourfirs

While I don't own an Omani matchlock, I have viewed/handled several. However, I do own a couple of Indian Torador muskets (one a restored shooter, the other a broken "parts" gun). To me, the design of the trigger/serpentine assembly for both guns are VERY similar. (not surprising considering both Indian and Omani matchlock history). And operate the same way.

Here is a pic of a trigger assembly (less serpentine) for an Indian Torador musket. There is very little spring tension since all you're doing is lowering the serpentine to the pan back and fourth with hand action (similar to the drawing Stu posted above). The only difference I can see with these trigger/serpentine assemblies would be the difference in length from the trigger to the serpentine itself depending on who originally built the gun. But this would be fairly easy to make (or alter an original) once you know what it is supposed to look like.
I'll check the other broken Torador and see if it has it's complete assembly and let you know. (I received your PM). In fact, I was just thinking, a new spring could probably be made using one of the springy type blades from a garden rake. LOL

Rick

Fourfirs · 22nd March 2020, 10:23 PM

That's really helpful, thanks!

Fourfirs · 30th March 2020, 03:52 PM

Progress! I've got the rust of the metalwork, glued the broken stock & ram-rod, and re assembled the weapon. Still a few things to do, some of the brass barrel-bands need attention, and I have to fabricate (or acquire) a trigger mechanism & serpentine. The gun will never fire, it still has a blockage in the breech area (possibly a charge?) and it is frail, as you'd expect of a weapon this old.

I don't know much about it, other than what I've read on this site, which suggests (which has been really informative). My late father brought it back from Oman in the late 1960s, he was with the Sultan's army fighting the insurgency. Sadly, its been neglected for a while, but not any more!

kahnjar1 · 31st March 2020, 04:34 AM

Good job. Looks much better and with the missing barrel bands replaced will be very nice indeed.
Interesting that it came out of Oman in the same way and at the same time as this Martini. The original owner also was with the Sultan's Armed Forces.
Stu

Fourfirs · 31st March 2020, 01:52 PM

Nice rifle, condition looks good!

rickystl · 31st March 2020, 04:43 PM

Hi Fourfirs

Nice clean up and repair job. And you never know what you will find under dirt and rust. LOL

Well, I found it. I knew I had a spare broken Torador stock somewhere. LOL
The trigger and serpentine are together and in working order. While not Omani, it is VERY close to being constructed in the same manner. It will really just depend on the length you need. Measure the length of the "slot" on the bottom of the stock per the third photo. This might save you the trouble of making a new one. At worst, you will have a close pattern.
Anyway, you can PM me for further discussion in this regard. And that may be preferable to the Moderators.

Rick

22nd March 2020, 09:55 AM	#1
Fourfirs Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 9	Excellent! Thanks Stu, I'm hoping to re-assemble the gun next week, I've de-rusted the barrel and now need to glue & clamp the bits of stock.

22nd March 2020, 04:24 PM	#2
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,632	Hi Fourfirs While I don't own an Omani matchlock, I have viewed/handled several. However, I do own a couple of Indian Torador muskets (one a restored shooter, the other a broken "parts" gun). To me, the design of the trigger/serpentine assembly for both guns are VERY similar. (not surprising considering both Indian and Omani matchlock history). And operate the same way. Here is a pic of a trigger assembly (less serpentine) for an Indian Torador musket. There is very little spring tension since all you're doing is lowering the serpentine to the pan back and fourth with hand action (similar to the drawing Stu posted above). The only difference I can see with these trigger/serpentine assemblies would be the difference in length from the trigger to the serpentine itself depending on who originally built the gun. But this would be fairly easy to make (or alter an original) once you know what it is supposed to look like. I'll check the other broken Torador and see if it has it's complete assembly and let you know. (I received your PM). In fact, I was just thinking, a new spring could probably be made using one of the springy type blades from a garden rake. LOL Rick Attached Images

22nd March 2020, 10:23 PM	#3
Fourfirs Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 9	Thanks Rick That's really helpful, thanks!

30th March 2020, 03:52 PM	#4
Fourfirs Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 9	Update Progress! I've got the rust of the metalwork, glued the broken stock & ram-rod, and re assembled the weapon. Still a few things to do, some of the brass barrel-bands need attention, and I have to fabricate (or acquire) a trigger mechanism & serpentine. The gun will never fire, it still has a blockage in the breech area (possibly a charge?) and it is frail, as you'd expect of a weapon this old. I don't know much about it, other than what I've read on this site, which suggests (which has been really informative). My late father brought it back from Oman in the late 1960s, he was with the Sultan's army fighting the insurgency. Sadly, its been neglected for a while, but not any more! Attached Images Last edited by Fourfirs; 30th March 2020 at 05:14 PM.

31st March 2020, 04:34 AM	#5
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,789	Good job. Looks much better and with the missing barrel bands replaced will be very nice indeed. Interesting that it came out of Oman in the same way and at the same time as this Martini. The original owner also was with the Sultan's Armed Forces. Stu Attached Images

31st March 2020, 01:52 PM	#6
Fourfirs Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 9	Nice rifle, condition looks good!

31st March 2020, 04:43 PM	#7
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,632	Hi Fourfirs Nice clean up and repair job. And you never know what you will find under dirt and rust. LOL Well, I found it. I knew I had a spare broken Torador stock somewhere. LOL The trigger and serpentine are together and in working order. While not Omani, it is VERY close to being constructed in the same manner. It will really just depend on the length you need. Measure the length of the "slot" on the bottom of the stock per the third photo. This might save you the trouble of making a new one. At worst, you will have a close pattern. Anyway, you can PM me for further discussion in this regard. And that may be preferable to the Moderators. Rick Attached Images