Matchlock identification help

[matchlock1607]

Merry Christmas!

I recently acquired the matchlock pictured from the widow of a very dear friend of mine. I'd like to see if any of you have any idea who made it. It is very well-made and is around .69 caliber with a 42 inch barrel.

Thank you!

Chris

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

No idea of the maker ‘JK’ (I presume) but doubt it was an early ‘Jim Kibler’ arm, lol, although you could ask him, as with the same initials perhaps he knows something.

I like it, wears a Green Mountain barrel too. I too prefer the lever-acutated early arms in matchlocks.

 

[matchlock1607]

No idea of the maker ‘JK’ (I presume) but doubt it was an early ‘Jim Kibler’ arm, lol, although you could ask him, as with the same initials perhaps he knows something.

I like it, wears a Green Mountain barrel too. I too prefer the lever-acutated early arms in matchlocks.

Thank you for the help! I figured "JK" also or maybe a fancy "K". I do appreciate the info. on the barrel. I didn't realize that it had a Green Mountain barrel

Thanks!

Chris

 

[Treestalker]

Very nice fishtail matchlock in a decent caliber, and should be a ton of fun. Thanks to the widow who made this acquisition possible, even in her time of grief.

 

[rickystl]

Congratulations. Neat looking matchlock. And looks well made. Could the GR on the barrel actually stand for Green River ? One of the 1980's barrel makers I believe (?) Did either barrel company make a .69 caliber barrel ? Is the barrel rifled or smooth bore ? Possibly bored out to a larger caliber ? I'm just full of questions. LOL

Rick

 

[matchlock1607]

Very nice fishtail matchlock in a decent caliber, and should be a ton of fun. Thanks to the widow who made this acquisition possible, even in her time of grief.

As I said, this matchlock was my friend's. He just bought it a couple of weeks before he passed. He told me about it and another rifle he bought and I visited him and looked both of them over. He had plans for us to start doing an early colonial reenacting impression (and shooting). I told him he did very well buy buying the matchlock and said that, if he ever wanted to sell, give me the first shot. His widow called me this past week and talked about plans to dispose of his collection. She gave me another gun and I told her that I would purchase the matchlock if she decided to sell. I am also helped her out with some more prices and am helping her with other non-gun things too.

Chris

 

[matchlock1607]

Congratulations. Neat looking matchlock. And looks well made. Could the GR on the barrel actually stand for Green River ? One of the 1980's barrel makers I believe (?) Did either barrel company make a .69 caliber barrel ? Is the barrel rifled or smooth bore ? Possibly bored out to a larger caliber ? I'm just full of questions. LOL

Rick

Thank you- you may be right. I will look and see if it could be a Green River barrel. This one is rifled- I believe 7 groove. I am trying to determine the caliber for sure, but it would have to be around a .69. It isn't a .75.
I appreciate the help!

Chris

 

[Treestalker]

Green Mountain used to make a .50 cal. smooth barrel 1"across the flats, 42" long. I had one but now it's a shorter trade gun in a friend's possession. of course, when I went to Berryville to the shoot a couple of years ago, intending to buy another, the dealer from Texas had folded up and has not been at the shoot since.

 

[matchlock1607]

I made some more pictures that I will share, but they were made with my phone. The Nashville explosion has stopped our cell service, so I will post when it resumes.

Chris

 

[dd832]

I believe your matchlock was made by Jurgen Kreckel. He used a distinctive mark of the J&K intertwined as seen on your lock plate. Here's some photos of his work:

If I remember correctly he was from Pennsylvania, but has sadly passed on. His work is collectible and sought after.

Mike

 

[matchlock1607]

Mike,
Thank you for the help! I do believe you are right. Attached are more pictures. The next thing I need to find is a good matchlock rest....

Chris

 

[toot]

I made mine out of a wooden closet 1 inch & a quarter. and an oar lock inserted into one end & wrapped it with a raw hide lace, and pointed the other end to grip the ground, looks and works fine. I stained the Dowell & bought the oar locks at a thrift store for $0.50, total $ 6.00, you might try it.

 

[matchlock1607]

Toot,
That's a good idea. Thank you for sharing.

 

[rickystl]

Mike,
Thank you for the help! I do believe you are right. Attached are more pictures. The next thing I need to find is a good matchlock rest....

Chris

There is (was) a guy that made the iron parts only (cradle and spiked end) that could be fitted to any 1 1/4" round shaft. But his name escapes me at the moment. Let me see if I can locate him in my reference list. Think he was located in the U.K.

Rick

 

[Musketeer]

I searched for "jurgen kreckel matchlock" and came up with these from Track of the Wolf. The gun has long since sold, so the links to TOTW don't turn up anything additional info, and the titles of the pics just say "Matchlock Musket, 12 gauge 44" Getz octagon-to-round". However, it bears the exact marking of your gun.

 

[matchlock1607]

Rick,
Thank you for looking into the information on parts for a matchlock rest. I would be interested in finding out more about them.

Musketeer,
Thank you for finding more information on those markings. Mine has to be a Kreckel gun.

Chris

 

[hawkeye2]

The Rifle Shoppe sells castings for the rest.

http://therifleshoppe.com/catalog_pages/matchlocks/(155).htm
From India

http://veteranarms.com/ReproductionMuzzleloadersandFlintlocks/Accessories.html

 

[matchlock1607]

Thank you, hawkeye2. I took a look at that Rifle Shoppe offering. It may be worth it trying to contact them. It would be an option, but it can be tough getting a reply from them sometimes.

 

[TC]

Definitely made by Jurgen Kreckle. It has the same initials as mine. I had also made a shooting stick with an old bronze oarlock, broomstick and leather for a few dollars. Came out very well. Enjoy shooting your matchlock.

 

[TC]

One of Jurgens matchlocks are hanging up below decks on the ship Susan Constant at Jamestown VA.