A matchlock chronology, ca. 1520 to 1720

Matchlock · 14th December 2008, 12:42 PM

Hi, Richard,

Here are digital pics a friend of mine took that show details of a ca. 1555 Styrian wall gun; some of the barrels of this group are dated 1554, 1556 and 1557 respectively.

I took the measuremts of one of those big pieces:
overall length 215 cm, cal. 24.8 mm smoothbore, weight 26.5 kg.

Some of the butt-stocks resemble that of my Straubing harquebus but there are other variations as well.

Michael

Matchlock · 14th December 2008, 12:57 PM

That's how these matchlock wall pieces are stored on their original shelves at Graz.

Michael

Pukka Bundook · 14th December 2008, 02:51 PM

Good morning, Michael.

Thank you for the reply.
I am surprised the dummy wheellock was made that way. I have never seen one before with such nice internals, inc. engraved spring!
It shows that at this time, the old matchlock was not looked down on, as something inferior.

Re. the Styrian wall guns, a few things surprise me;
The barrels look to be of high quality, Very well finished!.....something not always seen at this early date.
More surprising to me, is the use of a conventional trigger and guard!
(When we think that sear locks were being made for about 100 years after this time, and many snap locks were still using the button on the lock-plate, or an early unguarded trigger.)
It is interesting to see the trigger and guard off-set, so as to make the reach shorter on the heavy, thick stock.
Also. this is the first time I have seen this simple method of tightening the jaws of the cock on the tinder. .....Very simple! I would like to try making an arrangement like this!
Looking at these pictures, I started to itch to give these guns a 'drink' of oil!....they look a bit dry and thisty.

Graz looks like a place to not miss if I ever get to that part of the world!
I could be los in there for hours...days!

Thank you for posting these pictures!!

Richard.

Matchlock · 7th October 2009, 02:59 PM

A detached mechanism for an arquebus, retaining its long tiller trigger acting on the forward match serpentine while the rear snap tinder cock is released by a lateral push button.
Length of lock plate 21 cm.

On the fore end of the lock plate, right underneath the foot of the serpentine, a small Nuremberg city proof mark is struck - please see detail image.

Both the cock and dog (serpentine) retaining a piece of tinder and match cord respectively and of corse both served the same pan alternatively.

Sold October 5, 2009, Hermann Historica, Munich, at a hammer price of 1,500 euro.

Cf. similar combination locks in my collection posted in this thread.

Best,
Michael

Gonzalo G · 8th October 2009, 12:56 AM

Very interesting and informaative, Michael. Can you post something likewise with flintlocks and wheelocks? Sorry if I ask too much, it was just and idea.
Regards

Gonzalo

Chris Evans · 8th October 2009, 03:33 AM

Hi Matchlock,

Thank you for yet one more extremely instructive and intersting post.

I am, as surely the other forumites are too, appreciative the not inconsiderable effort that you put into your contributions.

Keep up the good work,
Chris Evans

Matchlock · 8th October 2009, 09:53 AM

It always does me good to learn that there is someone out there apprectiating my efforts - thank you so much,Chris!

Best wishes,
Michael

Bolek · 12th March 2011, 07:03 AM

I want to thank you for a very good study topic. Here in Poland, your work is very important.
Thank you and best regards.

Bolek

Matchlock · 12th March 2011, 07:52 PM

Hi Bolek,

I'm glad that my work is appreciated.

Btw, I like your replicas too.

Best,
Michael

David R · 12th March 2011, 10:21 PM

A wonderfull resource, thank you for your work and generosity sharing this.
This is the sort of stuff that is so hard to access, but so usefull.

Matchlock · 13th March 2011, 05:28 PM

Hi David R,

Just the fact that it is much appreciated is worth doing all that. It's my life work after all.

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 15th March 2011, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bolek

I want to thank you for a very good study topic. Here in Poland, your work is very important.
Thank you and best regards.

Bolek

Hi Bolek,

How about posting photos from Polish museums here, just like I do with Western museums?!

This would be a great adequate for what I am trying to do here and we all would greatly benefit from such contributions by German neighbors!

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 15th March 2011, 02:41 AM

A recent acquisition for my collection:

A very rare and early matchlock mechanism, Northern Italy, ca. 1500. This one has no screws yet, its all rivets. The delicate serpentine has not yet a wingnut, and the sear and long bar trigger are wrought of one single piece. As I said: no screws or threads yet.

The piece of match cord is an original.

Length of the lock plate: 12.7 cm

Best,
Michael

Spiridonov · 15th March 2011, 10:46 PM

Michael, thank You so much for sharing of this locks and arquebuse with this lock. It is a very important find because I am sure that this lock is a similar type with lock of Martin Merz. It its brilliantly fact 'couse it is the firs lock of this type wich i have ever seen "in iron" .

Bolek · 16th March 2011, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matchlock

Hi Bolek,

How about posting photos from Polish museums here, just like I do with Western museums?!

This would be a great adequate for what I am trying to do here and we all would greatly benefit from such contributions by German neighbors!

Best,
Michael

I live in the far provinces. I'm far from a museum. as I will next time in Polish museums to do photographic documentation.

greetings

Matchlock · 17th March 2011, 04:52 PM

Hi Bolek,

That would be great!

Thanks in advance,
Michael

14th December 2008, 12:42 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Snap matchlocks ca. 1555 in the Graz armory Hi, Richard, Here are digital pics a friend of mine took that show details of a ca. 1555 Styrian wall gun; some of the barrels of this group are dated 1554, 1556 and 1557 respectively. I took the measuremts of one of those big pieces: overall length 215 cm, cal. 24.8 mm smoothbore, weight 26.5 kg. Some of the butt-stocks resemble that of my Straubing harquebus but there are other variations as well. Michael Attached Images

14th December 2008, 12:57 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	That's how these matchlock wall pieces are stored on their original shelves at Graz. Michael Attached Images

7th October 2009, 02:59 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A Very Rare ca. 1550 Nuremberg Combined Snap Tinder and Matchlock Mechanism A detached mechanism for an arquebus, retaining its long tiller trigger acting on the forward match serpentine while the rear snap tinder cock is released by a lateral push button. Length of lock plate 21 cm. On the fore end of the lock plate, right underneath the foot of the serpentine, a small Nuremberg city proof mark is struck - please see detail image. Both the cock and dog (serpentine) retaining a piece of tinder and match cord respectively and of corse both served the same pan alternatively. Sold October 5, 2009, Hermann Historica, Munich, at a hammer price of 1,500 euro. Cf. similar combination locks in my collection posted in this thread. Best, Michael Attached Images

12th March 2011, 10:21 PM	#10
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,116	Thankyou A wonderfull resource, thank you for your work and generosity sharing this. This is the sort of stuff that is so hard to access, but so usefull.

15th March 2011, 02:41 AM	#13
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A recent acquisition for my collection: A very rare and early matchlock mechanism, Northern Italy, ca. 1500. This one has no screws yet, its all rivets. The delicate serpentine has not yet a wingnut, and the sear and long bar trigger are wrought of one single piece. As I said: no screws or threads yet. The piece of match cord is an original. Length of the lock plate: 12.7 cm Best, Michael Attached Images

14th December 2008, 02:51 PM	#3
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Good morning, Michael. Thank you for the reply. I am surprised the dummy wheellock was made that way. I have never seen one before with such nice internals, inc. engraved spring! It shows that at this time, the old matchlock was not looked down on, as something inferior. Re. the Styrian wall guns, a few things surprise me; The barrels look to be of high quality, Very well finished!.....something not always seen at this early date. More surprising to me, is the use of a conventional trigger and guard! (When we think that sear locks were being made for about 100 years after this time, and many snap locks were still using the button on the lock-plate, or an early unguarded trigger.) It is interesting to see the trigger and guard off-set, so as to make the reach shorter on the heavy, thick stock. Also. this is the first time I have seen this simple method of tightening the jaws of the cock on the tinder. .....Very simple! I would like to try making an arrangement like this! Looking at these pictures, I started to itch to give these guns a 'drink' of oil!....they look a bit dry and thisty. Graz looks like a place to not miss if I ever get to that part of the world! I could be los in there for hours...days! Thank you for posting these pictures!! Richard.

8th October 2009, 12:56 AM	#5
Gonzalo G Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Nothern Mexico Posts: 458	Very interesting and informaative, Michael. Can you post something likewise with flintlocks and wheelocks? Sorry if I ask too much, it was just and idea. Regards Gonzalo

8th October 2009, 03:33 AM	#6
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 685	Hi Matchlock, Thank you for yet one more extremely instructive and intersting post. I am, as surely the other forumites are too, appreciative the not inconsiderable effort that you put into your contributions. Keep up the good work, Chris Evans

8th October 2009, 09:53 AM	#7
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	It always does me good to learn that there is someone out there apprectiating my efforts - thank you so much,Chris! Best wishes, Michael

12th March 2011, 07:03 AM	#8
Bolek Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 15	I want to thank you for a very good study topic. Here in Poland, your work is very important. Thank you and best regards. Bolek

12th March 2011, 07:52 PM	#9
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Bolek, I'm glad that my work is appreciated. Btw, I like your replicas too. Best, Michael

13th March 2011, 05:28 PM	#11
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi David R, Just the fact that it is much appreciated is worth doing all that. It's my life work after all. Best, Michael

15th March 2011, 10:46 PM	#14
Spiridonov Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Russia, Leningrad Posts: 355	Michael, thank You so much for sharing of this locks and arquebuse with this lock. It is a very important find because I am sure that this lock is a similar type with lock of Martin Merz. It its brilliantly fact 'couse it is the firs lock of this type wich i have ever seen "in iron" . Attached Images Last edited by Spiridonov; 16th March 2011 at 06:23 AM.

17th March 2011, 04:52 PM	#16
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Bolek, That would be great! Thanks in advance, Michael