Curious Matchlock

[rickystl]

Hi Guys.

Now here's a real curiosity. Judging by the wood, someone built this matchlock sometime during the late 20th Century. The seller didn't really know what he had and so advertised the gun as "A replica Jazail Type Matchlock with an Old Barrel". Well, it's certainly that. :haha: The trigger/serpentine all work just fine. However, the gun was built - using an original Omani matchlock barrel called Abu Fathilah, meaning Father of the Match. Experts date these fluted barrels to the 17th Century, handed down fromfather to son, and probably re-stocked as time went on. (the non-fluted barrels date to the 18th Century, but are still attractive). If you Google Omani Matchlock you will see what the correct gun looks like.
But I bought this gun very cheap, and it was well worth it just to get the barrel. The barrel is in nice condition with no external corrosion. Just a nice smooth dark patina it's entire length. It's 46" long and .55 caliber at the muzzle end. Down the road I may have a gun build around the barrel more accurately representing an original gun. But if not, I'm happy to just add the barrel to my collection.

Anyway, there is a blockage in the bore starting about 3" from the back of the breech. (A load ? :shocked2: ) ?? It feels like some type of semi-hard cloth (?) The patch puller will grip it when turning, but it won't seem to budge. Hmmmm. :hmm:
If there is a ball in there, it would have to be behind this material. Should I try soaking ? Or what would you guys suggest ? Thanks for any help. Here are some pics as I received it. Seems that someone put enough effort into it to make a shooter as the trigger/serpentine action is very smooth and accurate.

Rick



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[tenngun]

Well it’s a beauty!! Love the muzzle.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Sling swivels? What were they thinking?

The barrel is a real beauty though! Those barrel bands ... originals or someone’s idea of what would work?

Lastly, if a shooter, would you sleeve it?

 

[Tinker2]

Hi Guys.

Anyway, there is a blockage in the bore starting about 3" from the back of the breech. (A load ? :shocked2: ) ?? It feels like some type of semi-hard cloth (?) The patch puller will grip it when turning, but it won't seem to budge. Hmmmm. :hmm:
If there is a ball in there, it would have to be behind this material. Should I try soaking ? Or what would you guys suggest ?

X-ray it

Nice buy :thumbsup:


William

 

[rickystl]

Although tempting, no I would not sleeve this barrel. The fluted barrels are very desired as collector pieces. The rest of the gun, including the bands, is just a variety of hand made parts from someone's imagination.

I ran a wire in the vent hole and their is definate evidence of black powder. But that stubborn wad/piece of material doesn't want to budge. While twisting, the patch puller will get a grip on it. But it won't move. Hmmm. Maybe some boiling hot water or penetrating oil will soften it enough to remove it ? What do you guys think ?

Rick

 

[Wes/Tex]

The boiling water and oil might be a solution...not knowing what it actually is but certainly wouldn't hurt. You mentioned a patch puller but how about using a ball screw on it to get a better purchase. Even if it doesn't take , it should roughen up the contact point enough, hopefully, that the puller may get a better bite on it.

As for the sling swivels, I'm going with the

Camel Posse of Harem Guards, Chief Eunuch's Squadron!

 

[rickystl]

Hi Wes.

Tried the ball puller also. Same non-result. Think I'll try some penetrating oil and let it soak for a couple days. That may soften it up.

Barrel Bands: LOL !!!!

Rick

 

[Wes/Tex]

Yeah, that may be the only option now. Several have used the grease gun through the touch hole or nipple to push a load out under pressure. Haven't tried it myself so far. Been lucky so far in being able to pull charges with normal means. Must be cause I'm such a sweetheart! :wink: :rotf:

 

[Zonie]

I think rather than trying a pure oil that won't dissolve black powder, I might try using a mix of Ballistol and water.

It should penetrate whatever non-metalic thing and the oil in it should lubricate things possibly loosening it up.

Another thing that might be worth a try is pouring some Evapo-rust, letting it soak a day or so and then trying to remove the obstruction.

Following the Evapo-rust with a Ballistol & water solution might be advisable too.

(The Evapo-rust won't attack the steel or iron but it might remove any protective oil that might be in the bore.)

 

[rickystl]

Hi Zonie.

Thanks for the great ideas.
After further investigation with a piece of wire back and forth in the vent hole, there does not seem to be a load. Just a thin film of powder residue. A light down the bore didn't help much either. But I can feel the other end of the material.
But I can tell it's some type of hardened cloth ball or similar. The patch puller easily gets a grip on it when twisted. But then the puller just seperates itself from the wad when pulling back.

But I'm sure I'll be able to get it out. Just need to soak that hard ball of cloth as per above for a couple days to soften the material.

Thanks again for the responses.

Rick

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Do you have one of those patch pullers that is just a spiral of wire that can attach to any wood rod? I bet that could get it out!

And I will send you one if you want it ...

 

[rickystl]

Hi Flint.

Yes, I have one of those patch pullers you describe. But thanks for the offer. I've been out of town. It's been soaking for about 5 days now. I'll try it agin this weekend. I think just softening the material will work. Sure curious what I find. LOL

Rick

 

[Wes/Tex]

Finding stuff in old guns can be an experience. Usually damage it too badly to save but once bought an old M.1809/39 percussion Potsdam musket. When I disassembled it the first time there was a folded 1898 stamp under the side plate. Never figured out why since it wasn't needed to stabilize it in any way! Curiouser and curiouser! :wink: :haha:

 

[rickystl]

Hello all.

Well, the bore is now clear. Used boiling hot water.
What ever was down there seems to have melted (?) LOL
A dry patch came out with the usual black/rust color, but also a grayish clay color. Hmmmm. Real nasty looking LOL.
I also discovered something else. I ran a smaller diameter rod (than I was originally using) down the bore and it would reach the end of the breach. Then I remembered a collector friend mentioned that I would likely find the breach slightly more narrow than the nominal bore size in these 17th Century Omani barrels. Sure enough, that seems to be the case. That was adding to my confusion. LOL The bore is about .55 caliber. I've been using a .50 bore brush. But - a too loose .45 caliber brush is a perfect snug fit the last 3 inches of the breech end.
I've seen India Torador matchlock barrels designed this way. And others that narrow about 1.5" from the breech and open up into a larger chamber.
Anyway, the bore is now clear and will just take a bunch more cleaning. Thanks for all the tips - and hand holding. LOL

Rick

 

[Wes/Tex]

Our pleasure. Great to think one day it might even go BOOM...even if lightly. Now you got to assemble the proper togs so you can do your Eunuch's Squadron impression! :shocked2: :rotf:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/47/2b/d0/472bd0008f4c883c8b4dd80765125d03.jpg

 

[Wes/Tex]

Our pleasure. Great to think one day it might even go BOOM...even if lightly. Now you got to assemble the proper togs so you can do your Eunuch's Squadron impression! :shocked2: :rotf:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.c.../472bd0008f4c883c8b4dd80765125d03.jpg[/quote]

You can tell everyone it's the Jezail that shot Dr. Watson. Since he once said he was hit in the shoulder and later says the leg and Mrs. Hudson even remarked the cold or rain "won't do your old wounds any good" the retort to "Where was Dr. Watson shot" is 'in Afghanistan'! The Hysterical Houston Historical Hooters used to unanimously give that as an answer to every newbie who'd ask!!
:rotf:

 

[rickystl]

:rotf: :rotf: :rotf:

Wes: That photo is great !!!! :haha: I'm saving it to show others I know.

I'm still cleaning the bore. Better order some more cleaning patches from TOTW. LOL But so far, I don't see any heavy corrosion. Just the typical red rust/dirt combination. These barrels were made in three sections and forge welded together. The breech plug is also forge welded in place. Once cleaned and honed, it could probably be fired. Have to study it further. The breech walls are very thick. Imagine how long it took to make all those flutes. For now, I'll just finish cleaning and oiling and set it aside. Too many other gun projects going on at the moment. :haha:

But thanks again for everyones input.

Rick

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Man … you have to shoot this …

 

[Rudyard]

:rotf: :rotf: :rotf:

Wes: That photo is great !!!! :haha: I'm saving it to show others I know.

I'm still cleaning the bore. Better order some more cleaning patches from TOTW. LOL But so far, I don't see any heavy corrosion. Just the typical red rust/dirt combination. These barrels were made in three sections and forge welded together. The breech plug is also forge welded in place. Once cleaned and honed, it could probably be fired. Have to study it further. The breech walls are very thick. Imagine how long it took to make all those flutes. For now, I'll just finish cleaning and oiling and set it aside. Too many other gun projects going on at the moment. :haha:

But thanks again for everyones input.

Rick

Dear Rick. As I have some of these barrels Ime surprised if pleased to learn the Date of them. I've actually stocked up some . One on a Scots long arm however wildly unlikely such a barrel reach Scotland, But truth is very often stranger than fiction. What they all seem to have is the missing Gold ? inlet its never there . Omani guns are seldom very fine , yet these barrels contradict the notion of being from Oman region .
Jump forward to 1799 Tipoo Sultan of Mysore India . he had several Matchlocks ( Self pan openers at that ) in his armory at Seringapatam . And Robert Wiggington describes them as ' reuse of Indian barrels '.. Ime thinking we might never know the full story.
Certain it is that these barrels are a delight to study & admire for their work . Most of them appear to be brought into the UK by the gun collector Major Knowle Corry in the 60s he went out to Iran to buy Persian Artillery Lugers but had to take tons ,literally tons of these barrels & some Liege made double rifles & Werdles in Ruinous state apparently confiscated from the Kurds who border Irak, Iran, & Turkey , & going by the' Scinde Irregualer Horse ' Jacobs double smooth bores . Into Baluchistan . All these items stored in police stations & they obligated the Major to take the lot along with the desired Lugers I guess . Well All hail the Galloping Major he did such as us a huge good turn . He sold them for a few pounds pick your take & I certainly availed of the offer ..Pukka well many others did the same I expect . The bores seem quite resistant to rusting & I have never fine bored any nor thought of liners . We don't have a Mr Hoyte in NZ .
As for Ricks Afghani upper Scinde restock Ide say full marks for effort & leave as is . The constricted breech area is deliberate & not peculiar to such barrels .A pig to clean but how often do you need too ? .I manage with various tips on the rod . As an aside I have knocked up a well abused old barrel Ex the Majors hoard and fitted that peculiar to a great many of these Corry barrels is the Drum isn't just a typical drum conversion but has a' bar' as its called suggesting so many where restocked old barrels & fitted for the typical English form of Percussion Lock complete with its nipple protecter .
WHY ? Well so many of these barrels survived with evidence of this old barrel re use' up grade' that where the stocks just smashed off when confiscated & the stocks never survived . The barrel was at least worth keeping for scrap which is where Our Major Corry fits in the picture .And where Rudyard the stocker comes into the picture . The stocking is in the Persian rounded style ( Or will be when its finished ) So watch this space .
Regards Rudyard

 

[rickystl]

Hi Rudyard. Hope all is well with You and Yours.

I remember our conversations along with Puka about these Omani barrels. I believe it was in the Afghan Thread (?) Would have to check. Speaking of Puka, his farming season should soon be coming to a conclusion. Looking forward to his re-joining us on the Forum.
You are right about the gold inlay on the barrels. I have never seen one that still had any of it's gold filling still intact. There must have been a time when some people believed it was real gold and extracted it from the barrels. LOL These fancy fluted barrels only show up on Omani matchlocks of the period. Well, 99% of the time. I own one of the 1%, an Afghan flintock Jazail utilizing one of these Omani barrels. I posted it on the Afghan gun Forum.
It's still a mystery where these barrels were made. Some believe they were originally of a Persian design from the 17th Century (?) But all agree that the barrels were not made in Oman. Even though they only show up on Omani matchlocks. And mounted to otherwise plain, rudimentary wood stocks (sometimes with silver decoration added, but usually very plain). I've often thought that these barrels were made somewhere in Northern India as it appears some of the forging techniques are similar to the Torodor barrels. And apparently made just for the Omani market. All these Omani barrels are so similar it makes me think they were all made in one shop, just to supply this market. Maybe one day we will know (?)

Rick