An extremely rare short Landsknechts' matchlock harquebus, Suhl ?, ca. 1540

Matchlock · 1st December 2008, 12:06 PM

Just barely more evolved than that of my Straubing harquebus.

The jaws of the serpentine and the wingnut are almost identical to my piece, the triangular ends of the lock plate and the grip of the pan cover show a more modern style, though.

Michael

Pukka Bundook · 2nd December 2008, 06:28 AM

Michael,

Wonderful to see details of this early lock with rivited pan. For years I've looked for such details and found very little to go on!

Thanks again for the photos!

Richard.

Matchlock · 3rd December 2008, 12:04 AM

Richard,

Believe me, buddy: it's all big fun answering back to your demanding and smart enquiries.

It's my turn to be grateful, really.

It used to be such an almost unbearably lonely life over here till my friend Ed inivited me to our forum - thanks a million, Ed!

Thanks, too, to you and Jim and for keeping me inspired and sharing so much!

Michael

Pukka Bundook · 3rd December 2008, 02:44 PM

Michael,

No, believe me. It is Us who are grateful to you!!

A couple more queations if I may;

How long is the barrel on this very nice harquebus?
It amazes me the muzzle does not look at all worn!

Was this type of stock meant to be held underneath the arm for firing, or fit the shoulder?

Thank you Micheal.

Richard.

Matchlock · 3rd December 2008, 04:41 PM

Richard,

The length of the barrel is 44.8 cm, the bore is 14.3 mm smooth.

The whole piece is in unbelievably good codition, showing only very little wear throughout. The fact that the muzzle shows almost no wear at all may be due to retaining its original wooden limewood muzzle plug, seen in the picture given below.

The buttstock does not really fit the shoulder very well but its proportionally unusual length makes me feel that it cannot have been held before the breast.

Thank you for referring to old handling marks, which all my pieces have, in a different post; the part rub-off of the brown lacquer on this harquebus would imply that it was actually fired from the shoulder. When trying to put it under the shoulder I am unable to aim using the sights.

Michael

Matchlock · 3rd December 2008, 04:43 PM

The second from top, retaining its original muzzle plug.

Michael

Pukka Bundook · 4th December 2008, 06:30 AM

Good evening, Michael.

The information you have supplied in your last post here is worth its weight in gold!
To find someone to share the information you have available, is Very rare, and very precious.
Thank you for going into detail on the handling marks, and how the gun fits, and can or cannot be aimed. This practical info has never come to light before, that I am aware of.

Thank you!!

Richard.

PS, If I may, How far does the muzzle plug reach into the bore?

1st December 2008, 12:06 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A ca. 1550 detached matchlock mechanism with riveted pan Just barely more evolved than that of my Straubing harquebus. The jaws of the serpentine and the wingnut are almost identical to my piece, the triangular ends of the lock plate and the grip of the pan cover show a more modern style, though. Michael Attached Images

3rd December 2008, 04:43 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	The second from top, retaining its original muzzle plug. Michael Attached Images

2nd December 2008, 06:28 AM	#2
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Michael, Wonderful to see details of this early lock with rivited pan. For years I've looked for such details and found very little to go on! Thanks again for the photos! Richard.

3rd December 2008, 12:04 AM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Richard, Believe me, buddy: it's all big fun answering back to your demanding and smart enquiries. It's my turn to be grateful, really. It used to be such an almost unbearably lonely life over here till my friend Ed inivited me to our forum - thanks a million, Ed! Thanks, too, to you and Jim and for keeping me inspired and sharing so much! Michael

3rd December 2008, 02:44 PM	#4
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Michael, No, believe me. It is Us who are grateful to you!! A couple more queations if I may; How long is the barrel on this very nice harquebus? It amazes me the muzzle does not look at all worn! Was this type of stock meant to be held underneath the arm for firing, or fit the shoulder? Thank you Micheal. Richard.

3rd December 2008, 04:41 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Richard, The length of the barrel is 44.8 cm, the bore is 14.3 mm smooth. The whole piece is in unbelievably good codition, showing only very little wear throughout. The fact that the muzzle shows almost no wear at all may be due to retaining its original wooden limewood muzzle plug, seen in the picture given below. The buttstock does not really fit the shoulder very well but its proportionally unusual length makes me feel that it cannot have been held before the breast. Thank you for referring to old handling marks, which all my pieces have, in a different post; the part rub-off of the brown lacquer on this harquebus would imply that it was actually fired from the shoulder. When trying to put it under the shoulder I am unable to aim using the sights. Michael

4th December 2008, 06:30 AM	#7
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Good evening, Michael. The information you have supplied in your last post here is worth its weight in gold! To find someone to share the information you have available, is Very rare, and very precious. Thank you for going into detail on the handling marks, and how the gun fits, and can or cannot be aimed. This practical info has never come to light before, that I am aware of. Thank you!! Richard. PS, If I may, How far does the muzzle plug reach into the bore?