1576 dated musket - unknown marking

[Tordenskiold1721]

Nice composite, with a 16th century barrel with late 17th century stock and mounts. Period composite or decorative composite made up of a mix of 16th century and 17th century parts ?

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Tordenskiold1721

Nice composite, with a 16th century barrel with late 17th century stock and mounts. Period composite or decorative composite made up of a mix of 16th century and 17th century parts ?

Most weapons were in effect 'composite' in these times whether swords or guns. Barrels were made by those who specialized in them, just as lock makers, stock makers, and they were assembled by artisans and armorers who were the final purveyors of these weapons.

Through their working lives, weapons were often refurbished as parts failed or to the preference of the owner. Obviously with guns, with the advent of the percussion system lock, flintlocks were replaced etc.

It is often surprising just how long the 'working lives' of weapons often were, and as seems to be the case, gun barrels or entirely assembled guns as these often were long held in armories or other until required. It would not be unusual for 'old guns' like this to be held in an armory for 100 years or more.
As noted in the original post however, this example was clearly assembled in modern times, with the barrel, which has indeed been shortened, being the most important element of the gun as it is presently.

[adrian]

Thank you Jim for your suggestion of a connection to the Milanese serpent mark, I have that reference book and had looked carefully through it and although I had seen vague similarities with some stamp styles I had not recognized the possibility that you have pointed to.

The gun is certainly a composite with the stock, clearly not the original one, coming to it so late that it was in a period where there was very limited understanding about matchlock mechanisms because the craftsman who made that stock fitted that lock in a 'back-action' position and was unconcerned that it did not function. Clearly his job was merely to get it looking complete for an armorial display, probably in the mid to late Victorian period when such displays were very popular.

The lock was 'restored' to a more correct position and to working order several decades ago, which was arranged by the collector from whom I acquired it. A look at the full length photo will detect evidence of the site of where the lock was when erroneously set-up as 'back-action'.

[Tordenskiold1721]

Thank you Adrian ! I thought I observed "something" but could not be sure as I don't have your interesting barrel in my hands

[adrian]

The Catalogue - Catalogue of the Meyrick Arms & Armour

This firearm is not in that catalogue, the Royal Armouries very kindly looked through it, three times apparently, and report that there is not one firearm in the catalogue, it is mostly rapiers and armour with a few glaives.