German Made Matchlock Repro

[caliver1642]

Hi,

Im new to the muzzleloading forum, but an avid matchlock shooter. I do English Civil War re-enactmnet. Currently own 4 matchlocks(2 muskets, 1 caliver, and a hunting gun), a doglock (littlecote carbine) and a snaphaunce (musket).

Anyway, onto my question. There used to be a german made matchlock for sale, it was distrubuted here in the US by J.F. Schroter Antique Arms. I believe it was manufactured by Hege (sp?) weighed about 16 lbs, was about .62 cal, and came with a musket rest. It was patterned on a musket of about 1610-ish

Does anyone know if they are still avaliable? Or where you can get them?

Thanks

Jim G

 

On their website http://www.jagen-waffen.de/Hege/Hege-Start-Menue.html they still offer them for EUR 998.- (the low dollar will hurt). Perhaps they can tell you a reseller or send directly, their email is [email protected] and the product no. is Nr. 345.210.

Robert

 

[caliver1642]

GREAT!!!


Thanks alot!!!!!!

You just made my day

Jim G

 

[izee2]

I have a friend who currently owns one of the Hege Matchlocks and I had the chance to shoot it. Wonderful gun. Heavy, very heavy but also very accurate. They were 44 caliber and Even though they are smoothbores you could expect 4" or better groups offhand at 50 meters. Go to the www.mlaic.org website and check out the scores at the International competitions. Look at the events called Tanegashima repro(50m standing) and Hizadai repro(50m Kneeling). The world record scores in the repro class were shot with Hege matchlocks. (The original class in these events are all shot with Japanese matchlocks.)
Problem is that Hege stopped selling them about two years ago. They are still listed on the site but they are currently out of production. (I tried to buy one a while back.) They are pricy. Two years ago they went for $1300.00 If you can find one used you can expect to pay around the same price.
Hope you can find one. You won't be disappointed. Good luck.

 

[arilar]

Well izee2,
I never liked Hege made target modell matchlock. Not well-balanced. To heavy in front. Several shooters cut the barrel to get it less heavy in front. I used mine in Camp Perry 1992 and then sold it. No regrets. Instead I favor the Italian-made Artax that I now use. In World-champ 2002 none shooters among top six in Tanegashima or Hizadai used Hege according to list at MLAIC-page. World-record in Hizadai set in 1989 was not made by a Hege. I think Gimenez used a french-made weapon if I recall right. I dont know what Eckard used 2000 in Tanegashima.
Talking musket the best made is by Magnus Wiberg, www.musketandrifle.nu. The model Swedish 1620 is by far the best I have seen. Lucky to possess one myself. The only problem is the price.
ARILAR :: :thumbsup:

 

[caliver1642]

Well, the point seems to be moot, unless i can find one used. They have put a halt on production of their 17th century matchlock until 2006.

The search goes on


Thanks all

Jim G

 

[caliver1642]

On a side note,

I have shot one before, and they are a wonderful piece. 4 of my friends own them. They are heavy, but they shoot wonderfully.

Now comes the fun job of finding one on the used market. :youcrazy:

Thanks again,

Jim G

 

[SquirrelsaurusR]

Caliver,
I can't help you with your search, but welcome aboard! :thumbsup:

 

[izee2]

Arilar,

I'm pretty sure that Jim Eckard Shoots a Hege Matchlock. I knew he held the World Record with a 100 in Tanegashima. I thought he held the World Record in Hizadi also, I stand corrected. Eckard holds the US National record (100) in Hizadi. They are a bit tough to hold but they can be made to shoot.
Since I couldn't get one myself I started shooting a original Japanese Matchlock. Not nearly as accurate but really fun to shoot. Shooting a matchlock at the local gun club usually stirs some interest but shooting a cheek stocked one draws a crowd.

Ahhh...the smell of burnin' match in the morning. Gotta love it.

Take Care
Izee2

 

Interesting to hear such different opinions about their .44 matchlock (which by the way is dutch style). Little picture for those who dont know it:

In an independent magazine test they shot groups of 42-51mm at 50m, using 70 grain Swiss 2 and .435 balls.

 

[arilar]

Yes, I agree with you fellows. Hege:s is very accurate but a bit tricky to handle. Artax has a fantastic balance and better trigger and match-holder :imo:.To check it out you have to go to www.artax.net. Site under construction (has been that way since 1-2 years). But you find their e-mail adress. After sending them a 10$-bill I got with post their very nice dvd with all their products. I first saw the matchlock in Wedgnock 1998, love at first sight.
By the way, several members of the Finnish National Team bought a kit in Spain some years ago and made themselves good-shooting target matchlocks similar to Heges and Artax:s. Dont know the brand but not that expensive, contact the Finnish delegate and he will get you the information. :: :thumbsup:

 

[arilar]

izee2,
100 points is a fantastic result and I admire every shooter that can achieve that.Maybe some day......, but its fun just shooting a matchlock. This year I have also tried an original japanese, so fun. I live in a very remote part of Sweden and cannot gather a crowd even how hard I try. Maybe thats the reason I like this forum so much. The ability to getting to know other lunatics :relax: despite the distance between us. :: :thumbsup:
ARILAR

 

[izee2]

Arilar,
Lunatic!! How did you know what my friends and family call me? Actually most people who watched me shoot one of those Japanese ropeburners have the same opinion. My wife has a few other choice words for me(Expecially when I burn a few holes in the shirt that I shouldn't have gone shooting in.) but I won't say them here. One time I actually heard someone say "Ya know, there is something really wrong with you!" and I graciously replied "Yep!". Matchlock shooters are a special breed and I'm happy to be one of them.

A score of 100 is always a goal of mine. If I could add up all 13 shots I might be able.

Did you shoot at the World Championships in Batesville?

Take Care
Izee2

 

[arilar]

Yes izee2,
I participated in Batesville. One of the high-lights among World Champs I have been to. Going to Pforzheim, Germany for the European Champs next year and hopefully Bordeaux, France and World Champs in 2006. Are you going? :: :thumbsup: ARILAR

 

[SquirrelsaurusR]

Why not point those matchlocks at some 3x5 cards and enter them in our shooting match? :thumbsup:

 

[arilar]

Rex,
I love the idea. :agree:I will be back on that towards spring. Today -14 Celsius= -57 F. Snow and a good day for tracking moose eace:. I will get my Artax-matchlock out from the closet around early april next year. :: :thumbsup:ARILAR

 

Is the Artax matchlock available as kit? I once bought a triggerguard from them and it was no problem. I did not even know the model, just sent them a description of the gun, so they seem quite service-friendly.

 

[izee2]

Arilar,
Batesville was my first World Championship. The people and the town were fantastic. Even though most of my events were shot in the rain and wind I had a great time. If all goes well I will be shooting in the Pacific Zone Championship next August in Barrie, Canada. Then onto France in 2006. Good luck and I'll see you on the line.
Take Care
Izee2

 

[Teleoceras]

Arilar:

Rex,
I love the idea. :agree:I will be back on that towards spring. Today -14 Celsius= -57 F. Snow and a good day for tracking moose eace:. I will get my Artax-matchlock out from the closet around early april next year. :: :thumbsup:ARILAR

I should not a correction here,
-14C= 7F
-49C= -57F

I agree though that my Matchlocks and Handgonnes generally are put in storage during this time of year too.

:m2c:

 

[arilar]

I should not a correction here,
-14C= 7F
-49C= -57F

Teleoceras,
Thanks, I thought it was cold but I dont want to exaggerate. 7F is cold enough for me. Have to check my encyclopedia again. By the way, when are you going to change to metric over there? :hmmJust kidding) :: :thumbsup:ARILAR