30 shot wheelock repeater

[krolick]

Netherlands gun maker Peter Kalthoff built 100 .38 cal 30 round capacity Wheelock repeating rifles. These were not novelties for the royalty but were of military grade. Issued to hand-picked individuals of the Royal Danish foot guards. These rifles saw combat during the siege of Copenhagen 1658-1659. They were also used in the Baltic wars and the Anglo-Dutch conflict. There is no evidence that any were ever deployed to the colonies. To operate, the internal magazines were charged with powder, ball, and primer. Once filled, rotating the trigger guard forward and then back moved a series of rack gears and connecting rods, actuating vales and elevators that conveyed the loose powder and ball to the breech. At the same instant, a cam operated crank and lever, spanned the wheel, opened a valve to dispense primer and close the pan. The dog holding the pyrite had to be moved manually. At this point, the piece was ready to fire. This entire procedure probably took about 10 seconds. How these rifles were tactically used has not been recorded. I would think they would have been excellent against mounted troops or as a skirmishes weapon to break up an opposing line. These were also made in snaphaunce and flintlock well into the 1670's, but the Wheelock version was the first military repeater to see real combat use. There are quite a few of these that have survived the centuries but they are all in museums in Europe. The Milwaukee museum has mid 18th century Cookson(Boston made 1750s) flint repeater, similar in function but with much simpler mechanics. Handling this relic, I was able to run it though its firing cycle at one shot every 5-8 seconds. This test was done in the museums' lab, dry and no powder. I based the Kalthoff's firing time based on my test with the Cookson. Because the Kalthoff has to manually operate the dog, I added a few extra seconds. How cool would it be to step up to the firing line with one of these? G.S.
Attached is a scanned image of one of these Wheelock rifles. These is a lot more detail but it would take pages of post so I edited it to this.

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[Alden]

Nice. New one on me.

Sounds like a great, complicated, idea that might work well much of the time...

 

[rscott]

Hi
Very cool rifle , what a project that would make! :grin:

The charging lever looks somewhat like a Ferguson action.

Thanks for posting this :thumbsup:

 

[tecum-tha]

The other more popular system is the Lorenzoni repeater. It does not require the internal mechanics but works with a rotating drum like design. Some of these were obviously built in Wheelock,too.

 

[dyemaker]

This superimposed load wheellock/matchlock is not the same and likely more dangerous. It is a 16 shot firearm. http://www.nrablog.com/post/2013/0...k-rifle-with-a-matchlock-ignition-backup.aspx

 

[BillinOregon]

GS: I should think the gun would have been quite heavy when fully loaded, and I hesitate to think what might have happened if some chance spark might have communicated with the powder reservoir.
You are most fortunate to have been allowed to handle the Cookson specimen!

 

[rickystl]

Thanks for Posting. Super interesting. Rick. :hatsoff:

 

[Jasseji]

Hey there,

Any chance for information from what book you have this picture ?

Or maybe you have all the scans ?

 

[Alden]

Hey, it's got a 30-round magazine. Ban it! Especially before an Aussie brother tells everyone there's no reason for anyone to own one if we want everybody to accept us!! Oh, the children!!!

 

[Jasseji]

i dont really understand your post, i am just asking for more details or from what book the picture is so i can look for it

 

[robinghewitt]

i dont really understand your post,

Do not worry, Alden isn't replying to you. If you do not quote a post the forum assumes you are answering the last one shown.

I rarely understand Alden's posts either :idunno: :rotf:

 

[Alden]

Me either, and I write 'em!

It's my penmanship mostly. Plus English is my second language. I speak American mostly. Learned it from my parents, grandparents, and one great-grandparent who was still alive when I was born.

 

[Canute Rex]

Gulielmus, please keep posting when you find this kind of firearm. I have a special affection for the "brilliant ideas" in pre-cartridge firearm history. Sure, the standard forms can be beautiful, but I like to see the harmonica repeaters, the superposed load matchlocks, the wheellock revolvers, and the like.

Thanks.

 

[krolick]

Thanks. There's a lot more I'd like to share. Once I've collected my thoughts, I will post my first hand account on the Cookson repeater in the Milwaukee Museum among other things. G.S.

 

[Jasseji]

I am waiting impatiently because it's a possible project i'd like to order from Bolek/Raszpla as soon as he finishes my first one

Therefore any documentation really appreciated