16th century stock wood suggestions?

[kruzer1]

I'm looking to get some wood down the line for the 16th century Petronel matchlock I am building. Just looking to see if any folks here have some suggestions for wood choices.

Thanks!

 

[tenngun]

Never seen a real live one. Photos look like walnut.

 

[ChrisPer]

Beech would also be a good choice, and likely willow - makes good cricket bats anyway.

The guns I just looked at in Graz did not tell me their woods. The older and less expensive ones were pretty much black with age.

 

[Alden]

And maybe some paint...

 

[rickystl]

I remember reading that Beech/Birch was common.

 

[dave_person]

Hi Kruzer,
There are a few things you might want to consider. Petronels seemed to be most popular in France. Most surviving examples I've encountered have considerable decoration and clearly were not "utility" guns. In France most quality guns were stocked in walnut or some sort of fruitwood like apple and pear. Apple was often used in the Normandy region. Another consideration is that the hook shape of the butt presents the same dilemma as do pistols. It would be nice if the grain curved down with the hook like wood from limb crotches. My suggestion is to use a good dense piece of English or European walnut preferably with the right grain. Maple was also used in Europe and a good dense maple plank witht eh right grain might also be good

Good luck,

dave

 

[kruzer1]

Thanks for the insight. I agree the grain of the wood may be the most important. I have a seller who said they would try to match a pattern to my gun if I send them a cardboard cut out- I figure matching the grain would be best then picking the type of wood second.

While I do plan to do some inlays and decorative work to make a "hunting petronel" it might be argued that most of the "utility versions" were used up, discarded or incorporated into later designs and we are just left with the artistic pieces. Case in point is this Lant roll engraving from 1586 showing petronel's that do not appear to be lavish. These petronel's are English, I believe.

 

[gunmaker43]

That is a bunch of BIG pistols... :haha: Tom

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Are they "cheek" fired not shoulder fired as some of the Japanese matchlocks that I've seen ?

LD

 

[kruzer1]

Part of the reason I want to build one is to figure out what is the best position/way to use it. It is very possible it was the inspiration for the Japanese matchlocks and their method of fire

This illustration may be a clue that Dave sent me a while back.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Not sure about the English style, but the Spanish actually had a version designed to be rested on the breast plate which couldn't have been remarkable for accuracy! :haha:

 

[kruzer1]

Funny thing is I'm going to try that- I reenact 16th century Spanish- I have the clothes and the armor. I was actually wondering if the "weirdness" of this design had to do with its use with armor :grin:

Do you have any pics you can share or let me know your source though for the Spanish design. I've been struggling to find more examples!