16th century barrels?

[kruzer1]

One of our members has graciously given me the encouragement and motivation after a few visits to build a period gun from scratch (well mostly) rather than a "kit"

Since I do historical reenactment in the 16th century, I have decided to put my efforts in that direction instead of an 18th or 19th century piece. After a lot of research, I have decided to build a 16th century Petronel matchlock.

As I don't have easy access to a lathe I am looking at pre-made barrels currently as part of the project and looking for advice. I have found only a few good pictures of period ones and most appear octagon to round, but are other barrels appropriate for this time period? (I was looking at "early american" and "Jaeger" from Colerain as possibles if they can be found in smoothbore but not sure if they would be HC)

Anyone have other data for barrel length, etc for 16th century petronels? What I have been able to google is just a few petronel barrels:

(Chicago museum)40" barrel, 48 1/2" overall length 60 cal.
(metropolitan museum)
45 1/4" total length (barrel??) 51 cal.
(tower of london)
1.Length 50", Barrel Length 37", Caliber .57,
2. Length 47", Barrel Length 38 1/2", Caliber .66

I'm leaning toward a smaller end of period caliber as firing off the chest rather than shoulder might be "interesting" with a .66 unless I am mistaken :shocked2:

 

[MacRob46]

I am familiar with those guns although my interest in petronels is limited. Most of my reference material which lists this style gun does not have dimensions. As you know, gunmakers of that era did not stick to a set of rules for what they made and so you can probably freestyle without issue. However, as barrels for these guns tend to be a bit more ornate, I would look first at an octagon to round configuration. Good luck with your project. PS...small caliber is probably smart.

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
French matchlock petronel in the Tower of London:
25.5" barrel, about 44 caliber. The barrel is tapered round with a decorative cannon muzzle.

French matchlock petronel that was up for auction on Herman Historica a while back:
Tapered Octagon barrel (no swamp just straight taper to the muzzle) about 26" long and about 50 cal.

Both guns are smoothbored.

I intend to build an ornate matchlock petronel in the future. My tentative plan is to get a straight octagon smoothbored barrel from Ed Rayl or Charlie Burton and turn down the outside to the shape I want. I definitely want a cannon muzzle. I achieved a version of that on the Colerain barrel shown below by soldering on a turned decorative ring:

dave

 

[kruzer1]

Thanks looks for the extra information- so barrel length seemed to range from 25.5" to 40" and caliber .44 to .66 from what information I have.

I can see why they are considered my some historians as the ancestor to the carbine and pistol Now I just have to decide what size to build :hmm:

 

[wulf]

Hit search for Dale Shinn...He made them plus many
others. That gun was held against the chest that
is why the odd shaped stock...
Wulf

 

[kruzer1]

Thanks for the tips and resources. Just had a conversation with a friend with a metal lathe, he will teach me to use it and let me use it.

I'm having issues finding smoothbore barrel blanks. Can anybody suggest where I can look for them?

 

[kruzer1]

Took awhile but I found them Thanks everyone for the tips. Will be starting the Petronel project. Probably .50 cal and 26 inch barrel this spring.