Greetings all,
I am trying to research a matchlock (sadly not mine, hence no pictures) and am hitting a dead end. Hoping you all might give me some idea of whether or not that’s because I’m looking in the wrong places, or if what I’m looking for doesn’t exist.
The gun in question is a very nice looking early 17th century Germanic matchlock, of full-size prior to the diminution in size during the 30 Years War (over 155 cm). The stock is in amazing shape, with nailed sheet metal buttplate. Notably, the stock bears the typical stylized “E” brand and a seeming two-digit rack number associated with the Emden armory. The barrel is octagonal transitioning to round, with incised wedding bands. The ramrod matches well and is iron-tipped.
The lockplate, however, appears unmarked. The barrel likewise is devoid of any manufacturer’s mark, and also lacks the stylized “E” seen on every other Emden musket I can find online. A two-digit number is stamped into the top flat of the barrel, but does not match the stock number. This looks most similar to a rack number; I don’t think it is a date, as dated barrels I have seen tend to have the whole year with 4 digits.
I have been scouring the usual suspects - here, historical vikingsword threads, and the big auction houses - and cannot find another good example of an Emden matchlock without the “E” and manufacturer’s stamps (usually Suhl, sometimes Zella) on the barrel. Has anyone else seen something like this? Does this necessarily suggest extensive wear/polishing of the metal to the point that the stamps (usually pretty strong) have been erased?
Any thoughts are most appreciated.
I am trying to research a matchlock (sadly not mine, hence no pictures) and am hitting a dead end. Hoping you all might give me some idea of whether or not that’s because I’m looking in the wrong places, or if what I’m looking for doesn’t exist.
The gun in question is a very nice looking early 17th century Germanic matchlock, of full-size prior to the diminution in size during the 30 Years War (over 155 cm). The stock is in amazing shape, with nailed sheet metal buttplate. Notably, the stock bears the typical stylized “E” brand and a seeming two-digit rack number associated with the Emden armory. The barrel is octagonal transitioning to round, with incised wedding bands. The ramrod matches well and is iron-tipped.
The lockplate, however, appears unmarked. The barrel likewise is devoid of any manufacturer’s mark, and also lacks the stylized “E” seen on every other Emden musket I can find online. A two-digit number is stamped into the top flat of the barrel, but does not match the stock number. This looks most similar to a rack number; I don’t think it is a date, as dated barrels I have seen tend to have the whole year with 4 digits.
I have been scouring the usual suspects - here, historical vikingsword threads, and the big auction houses - and cannot find another good example of an Emden matchlock without the “E” and manufacturer’s stamps (usually Suhl, sometimes Zella) on the barrel. Has anyone else seen something like this? Does this necessarily suggest extensive wear/polishing of the metal to the point that the stamps (usually pretty strong) have been erased?
Any thoughts are most appreciated.
