16th Century ‘Tinder’ Snapping Matchlock Arquebus & Tinder Sticks

[Flint62Smoothie]

Another excellent research video by CapandBall!

 

[Conrad von Hotzendorf]

Another excellent research video by CapandBall!

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It has got to be a huge hassle to light another stick every time the previous one burns out

 

[TobJohn]

Copy cat! lol!
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/snap-matchlock-with-capandball.187793/

 

[CyrusP]

I think I need one of those. I’ve been leaning that way of late. Capandball is a treasure.

 

[TobJohn]

It has got to be a huge hassle to light another stick every time the previous one burns out

The arquebusiers would have the slow match wrapped around their arm, shown in the Bernard Van Orley Pavia tapestries, so they could grab new tinder from their loading pouch and then conveniently light it. Obviously not the safest, but would speed up the process.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

If so, why wouldn’t they just use matchcord instead of fooling with tinder sticks?

 

[TobJohn]

If so, why wouldn’t they just use matchcord instead of fooling with tinder sticks?

One of the Michael Tromner threads was about how matchcord was originally much larger (which means it’s not exaggerated in the tapestry) but then there is the obvious question of why they didn’t just make smaller cord. I’ve only shot my matchlock with slow match but some of the others said the tinder works very well with really fast ignition, so maybe the finickiness was worth it, when they were a still a less numerous supporting weapon?

 

[CyrusP]

Who could build that gun for me if I want one?

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Who could build that gun for me if I want one?

Message Dave at Lodgewood.