matchlock squirrel rifle

[coloradoclyde]

Does anybody have a matchlock squirrel rifle?

I know.... crazy talk :grin:

 

[gbeauvin]

Crazy? Maybe, but sounds like fun to me!!!

-GB

 

[Tinker2]

Does anybody have a matchlock squirrel rifle?

On my list of things of thing I am making or buying parts for




William Alexander

 

[coloradoclyde]

Seems like it would be a very complimentary application for the matchlock type firing mechanism.

 

[Tinker2]

Got any definite plans on make, model, and caliber yet?
”ƒ


William Alexander

 

[coloradoclyde]

Still dreamin :grin:

 

[Tinker2]

I am thinking small for mine.
On another forum I saw posted that they called Sleigh guns, Thought they were neat.
Kind of a match lock buggy rifle if you will.
”ƒ



William Alexander

 

[ChrisPer]

Sounds like incitement to replace a flint lock on a rifle with a snap- matchlock... :surrender: but my Mortimer might not be the best victim of such an improvement.

But I am sure very few matchlocks were ever rifled. Have you got an original in mind? I saw a bunch of apparent Germanic wheellock rifles retrofitted with matchlocks, racked in the Graz Landeszeughaus. Pics are not easy from my loc until later but I have some. I also suspect that some of this work may have been later make-work for bored armourers, but who knows.

 

[Tinker2]

I am sure very few matchlocks were ever rifled.

I have another nice .36 caliber smooth bore barrel that most likely will be my choice.
I also have a cute little .40 smooth bore barrel lying around not doing anything but
it is only 19 inches from the end of the tang to muzzle.
Remember I said “I am thinking small for mine” just not that short.

” Have you got an original in mind?”

No, just ideas banging around in my head.

I am not planning to convert something; I will most likely make it all from scratch
I am open to any and all ideas.




William Alexander

 

[coloradoclyde]

Anybody ever try just replacing the flint on a flintlock with a piece of matchcord?

 

[cynthialee]

Anybody ever try just replacing the flint on a flintlock with a piece of matchcord?

you would have to open the pan before ignition but it should work

 

[Treestalker]

How about a smoothbore caliver for squirrels? Maybe 28 guage? Just wondering, Treestalker.

 

[coloradoclyde]

A shotgun for squirrels????
That's like a 4 letter word where I come from.... :grin: :wink:

 

[Treestalker]

We've got some fast squirrels around here! :haha: George.

 

[Scota4570]

The first scratch build I did at about 14 yo. I used an old 22 rimfire barrel. I made a snapping matchlock. I made the stock of oak. Terrible looking! It shot 22 caliber air rifle pellets with 5-10 grains of powder. Accuracy was minuet of ground squirrel.

We don't shoot tree squirrels out here so, it is ground squirrels. I don't know if that counts? I'd get home from school and go out hunting on the local military reservation. My 22 matchlock worked better than my Benjamin air gun. When the grass turned brown it was put away for the season due to fire danger.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Interesting.....Picture?
Bet it was quiet...

 

[Canute Rex]

The Germans retained the matchlock ignition for target shooting until the early 18th century. No lock time = no flinch.

I found a photo online of a late Germanic matchlock rifle for a friend of mine and he made a fairly close copy of it. Looks kind of like a French fusil with the Roman nose comb on a thick buttstock. It had a rear peep sight. Stick a flint lock on it and nobody would pick it out as odd for the period.

 

[coloradoclyde]

A French fusil looking matchlock...
Sounds dreamy .... :thumbsup:

 

[dyemaker]

The Germans retained the matchlock ignition for target shooting until the early 18th century. No lock time = no flinch.

I've seen a Dutch .60 caliber smoothbore matchlock target gun from the mid 17th. century online that looks very much like a modern shotgun except for a block for holding in the left hand. It is surprisingly modern looking. Just google Dutch matchlock target gun in google images. I'm sure it stands out like a sore thumb. Only 30 such guns in existence. I do not know how many there were in the day but likely relatively few. Something like this seems more practical for squirrels to me than a rifle.

 

[Cpl. Ashencheeks]

I just recently took a renewed interest in my old matchlock project. I want to finish this thing and the barrel is a little more modern for what I would have like for the project. Caliber is .45 and could be used for squirrel with light loads and barking the squirrel.
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/287777/post/1383108/hl//fromsearch/1/

I have a lock plate, seer, and **** already cut and shaped but I can't locate where they are at the current time.

If I had had an extra .32 barrel I might make another one sticking closer to the French hunting stock design I originally had in mind for this one.

As can be seen the stock has been slightly modified and needs more work.