I just picked this up from an estate and thought others would enjoy looking at it. This result of this fine piece is the sum of excellent parts cast from originals (from The Rifle Shoppe) as built by a master builder of early arms (the late John Bosh).
Note the proofs added to the barrel, with details thereof noted in the pictures, as John was renowned for adding whatever proofs an original would have left the armory with. Also note his own maker’s mark added at the end of the breech, done so as to identify ‘his work’ and to prevent someone from selling it off as an original piece.
This is a 77-caliber or 10-gauge musket of 46” barrel length. The English lock (my first) is very interesting; kind of ½ snaphaunce and ½ of what would become the French-style true flintlock. It has a ½ cock notch, but still uses the ‘horizontal sear’ arrangement, where you can see the nose of the sear peeking out from behind the lockplate just to the rear of the cock. They did away with the sliding pan cover and the frizzen now integrates the striking face and covers the pan.
For those who have never handled a 'fishtailed' butt matchlock or fire lock fowler, they actually rise to the cheek and hold as well as modern design stocks! The trigger on this one is crisp and light too, < 4-pounds ... sure can’t wait to spark her!
Note the proofs added to the barrel, with details thereof noted in the pictures, as John was renowned for adding whatever proofs an original would have left the armory with. Also note his own maker’s mark added at the end of the breech, done so as to identify ‘his work’ and to prevent someone from selling it off as an original piece.
This is a 77-caliber or 10-gauge musket of 46” barrel length. The English lock (my first) is very interesting; kind of ½ snaphaunce and ½ of what would become the French-style true flintlock. It has a ½ cock notch, but still uses the ‘horizontal sear’ arrangement, where you can see the nose of the sear peeking out from behind the lockplate just to the rear of the cock. They did away with the sliding pan cover and the frizzen now integrates the striking face and covers the pan.
For those who have never handled a 'fishtailed' butt matchlock or fire lock fowler, they actually rise to the cheek and hold as well as modern design stocks! The trigger on this one is crisp and light too, < 4-pounds ... sure can’t wait to spark her!
