Jamestown archaeological excavation of a pistol
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excellent!
That would have been a red-letter day for even the most jaded archaeologist.
This is the first time I have encountered the "roman lock" designation. Guess I haven't been paying attention!
This is the first time I have encountered the "roman lock" designation. Guess I haven't been paying attention!
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So frustrating, "let's focus on the wood" the locks they compare to are like comparing a 1680 spanish miquelet to a 1780 spanish miquelet. The lock is closest to the early snaphaunce although I have not seen a miquelet of this shape/lockplate that would date as early especially not with the main spring forcing down as this one. Perhaps you have an original example of an early lock of this type? Regarding the barrel being "copper alloy" they could just specify that bronze and brass of the era were often interchangeable words and in some instances (cannon) it was simply referred to as "gun metal"
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It helps to keep in mind that Southern Italy was controlled by Spain during the period. So many of the miquelet style locks from the South resembled the Spanish locks.
The so-called Roman lock is thought to have been developed in Central Italy, with it's wide spread use in the Central and Northern areas.
Unlike the Spanish style locks, the Roman lock mainspring operated on the TOE of the cock versus the heel. Also, the Roman style locks often have what you might call a dual sear arrangement. A separate sear for each cock position.
Of course, the snaphaunce lock, when first introduced was very popular throughout much of Europe and beyond. But for some reason the snaphaunce had a renaissance in Italy sometime during the late 18th and early 19th Centuries. Primarily with the aristocratic classes for their personal pistols. So some will mistakenly think a certain Italian snaphaunce pistol is older than it actually is.
I'll post some pics of a Roman style lock next.
Rick
The so-called Roman lock is thought to have been developed in Central Italy, with it's wide spread use in the Central and Northern areas.
Unlike the Spanish style locks, the Roman lock mainspring operated on the TOE of the cock versus the heel. Also, the Roman style locks often have what you might call a dual sear arrangement. A separate sear for each cock position.
Of course, the snaphaunce lock, when first introduced was very popular throughout much of Europe and beyond. But for some reason the snaphaunce had a renaissance in Italy sometime during the late 18th and early 19th Centuries. Primarily with the aristocratic classes for their personal pistols. So some will mistakenly think a certain Italian snaphaunce pistol is older than it actually is.
I'll post some pics of a Roman style lock next.
Rick
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Here are some pics of a Roman style lock. It looks like it was made by a backwoods type blacksmith. So it's difficult to place an approximate date. But by the look of the slotted screw heads and the locks large size, it could be from the late 17th Century (?) The lock plate doesn't resemble anything. LOL Just a cutout to allow everything to be assembled. But the lock is complete and functional, and shows the toe-style mainspring and dual sear assemblies. The lock is about musket size.
Rick
Rick
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MORE PICS.....
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LAST ONES....
top pocket find mate
The historians on the pre-flintlock part of this forum are beyond belief!!! I am constantly learning....Rickystl thank you!
Your thoughts on why it was found in the well? Hidden, stolen, Inoperable, irreparable, replaced by a more modern firearm, etc.?
anti gun nut in the colony?? maybe 
You have to wonder why/how the pistol wound up in the well!
(Ooops- just saw the same question posted above
)
(Ooops- just saw the same question posted above
)
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Maybe it was used to settle a score, and tossed in the well to hide any evidence ?
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Have you come across any roman lock guns with a comparable lock plate/stock late 1500's early 1600's?
Or it broke and nobody could fix it. Or got frustrated trying to fix it . . .
Maybe an ex-girlfriend hitting him where it hurts -- his prized handgun ...
By the way there is a 4th part to the 3 part series, #49. Well worth your time.
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REF: Post #16
Hi Swab. No, I have never seen a Roman style lock with that style of lock plate. Nor an Italian pistol with that fish-style butt stock. A first for me. Good observation. But I do recall seeing this style of lock plate on early "Spanish" style miquelet locks. So it could be a bit of a hybrid of both (?) I'm fairly certain I don't have a Spanish lock in my collection with this style of lock plate. But I'll check again.
The fish tail style stock is a head-scratcher. Hmmmm. But if we are indeed looking at a pistol from the early 17th Century, could be. A carry-over style from the wheellock.
Rick
Hi Swab. No, I have never seen a Roman style lock with that style of lock plate. Nor an Italian pistol with that fish-style butt stock. A first for me. Good observation. But I do recall seeing this style of lock plate on early "Spanish" style miquelet locks. So it could be a bit of a hybrid of both (?) I'm fairly certain I don't have a Spanish lock in my collection with this style of lock plate. But I'll check again.
The fish tail style stock is a head-scratcher. Hmmmm. But if we are indeed looking at a pistol from the early 17th Century, could be. A carry-over style from the wheellock.
Rick
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