Matchlock Range test

[kruzer1]

After over a year of work, and the matchlock was ready to take for it's first test fire.

I was surprised how smooth the ignition was. No hesitation and it worked flawlessly. Here is a picture as I did the first few off hand

Although I like off hand shooting I wanted to see what it did off a bench. Here is one shot of me shooting it shortly afterwords.

My 1520's Matchlock is a smoothbore so I tested at only about 40 yards.

Groups were not bad for the first time. Looking forward to working with it more. Enjoying my first build:

Here is a short video of me firing it off on you tube: Link

For anyone thinking about building or acquiring a lot a matchlock- they are fun but you must be extra conscious of safety!

(Moderators sorry if I put this in the wrong place).

 

[coloradoclyde]

Nice!..... :thumbsup: :hatsoff:

 

[MSW]

nice! ... what caliber/gauge? loads?

 

[kruzer1]

.62 cal or 20 gauge smooth-bore. In this case I was using 60 grains of 2F with a .60 ball with a lubed cut up dishtowel.

Groups were a bit wide but it was also gusty with 20-30mph winds.

One thing about it - it was very comfortable to shoot off hand but when I switched to a bench to test accuracy it was not pleasant... recoil wise (23 inch barrel really barks!)

 

[BillinOregon]

That looks like a very nice, clean build. Did you make the barrel?

 

[kruzer1]

Yes I turned it myself- I based the barrel off of this german musket: Link

The main gun though was based off of this Spanish one:

 

[tenngun]

:thumbsup: :hatsoff:

 

[rickystl]

:bow: :thumbsup: :hatsoff:

 

[Canute Rex]

Beautiful job on that hacabuche! Now you can work up a load just like any other 62 smoothie.

Recommendation, especially if the ground is dry: To keep from losing your match, tie the unlit end around your left forearm and hook the lit end between the pinkie and ring finger of your left hand, sticking out like a cigarette. If you are into situational awareness, that's where it stays while you handle powder with your right hand. Once loaded (the gun, not you), pull out a foot or so of match and place it in the serpentine.

If you don't want to be so reliant on situational awareness, make a brass, copper, or steel match case for your left hip. I made one out of a scrap length of 1 1/2" copper pipe and a couple of end caps.

Happy shooting, and welcome to the Trayned Bande!

 

[russellshaffer]

What was your barrel blank? I have been thinking about trying something like yours with DOM tube. You did a very nice job.

 

[kruzer1]

That is actually what I started with - a DOM tube. I picked some up from a builder who was quitting building muzzleloaders.

 

[Col. Batguano]

You got it done in a lot less time than it would take to order the parts from TRS!

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Very cool gun, OP! I have been interested in getting a matchlock for a long time!

 

[Cpl. Ashencheeks]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :hatsoff:

That thing is awesome!

Very nice looking gun and you turned the barrel to boot. Neat!

What did you use for your sear spring?

 

[kruzer1]

The one thing I did not make was the action... you can see it's evolution and some earlier build picture s on the gun builder's forum. Look for "First build so far" - about the third page in at the moment. :thumbsup:

Here's a link to it:
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/302528/

 

[smoothshooter]

Why such a short barrel?

 

[Ray-Vigo]

That is really creative - nice matchlock. It is good to see some of these older and unique styles are inspiring people still. It really is something your own to keep for life.

 

[TFoley]

It's an 'assault'style matchlock... :wink:

tac

 

[kruzer1]

Good question on the short barrel.

Many 16th century barrels have a unique "Cannon" style or flared profile at the muzzle. For the most part manufacturer's don't sell these profiles as most are focused more on the american long-rifle and more modern designs. There are some good octagon to round barrels that are passable but I decided to turn my own barrel to get a nice 16th century profile with a muzzle "flare"

I was then forced to go to a shorter barrel profile as my lathe is 24 inches between centers. The original gun I modeled on had a five foot barrel (it was a wall gun), so even if I had not turned myself I would have been hard pressed to find one long enough.

So given my technological limitations I looked at doing a blended design. I decided to look to the German's as they and the Spanish were a united empire during this time and we know they were exchanging a lot of gun technology.

Many landsknecht units used fairly short carbines with barrels this short or even shorter. They had a forward snapping match but still they were not averse to small short guns. The barrel and gun length I modeled after this original

Link , but I kept the stock styling from the only Spanish one that I know has survived from that period (even if it is a wall gun my hope was that stylistically the Spanish would have done something similar).

Also Spanish Wheel-lock's of the era had really short barrels so I know the Spanish were not averse to them. Here is one such example

In the end if I went back in time perhaps it would look out of place but I have done the best I could do recreate something plausible with the technology :grin:

 

[toot]

was the lubed cotton face cloth used as a patch or the ball set on the powder charge and the face cloth wad pushed on top of the ball to hold it in place and not rolling out?