Production matchlocks

[bapfreak]

Are there any production ( non-special order ) production matchlocks of Japanese or English type available anywhere?

I once saw a Japanese Replica on Dixiegunworks, but it has since disappeared.

Or maybe no matchlocks are made production anymore?

 

[Teleoceras]

Bapfreak:

Are there any production ( non-special order ) production matchlocks of Japanese or English type available anywhere?

I once saw a Japanese Replica on Dixiegunworks, but it has since disappeared.

Or maybe no matchlocks are made production anymore?

The only one I know of is the Matchlock Arquebus sold by Historic Enterprises. I bought one of those 8 years ago. The only thing I didn't like was the finish. After rubbing some linseed oil onto the stock, then she looked much better.

This one is made in Europe.

Hope this helps.

Slowmatch Forever!
Teleoceras

 

[Jumpshot]

I didn't realize Dixie no longer carried the Miroku musket. That stinks. I was actually thinking about getting one just recently (although the price had climbed a lot the last few years).

Pedersoli also used to make their own version of the same Japanese matchlock, although I haven't seen it offered by anyone for several years. You might be able to find a used example of one of these two guns if you shop around, maybe try the gun auction sites?

Why a production gun? Is it just to avoid a wait?

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

You could buy the precarved Japanese matchlock stock and the other parts that Dixie carries and make your own. Might be worth a try.

 

[Chuck Thom]

john buck sells matchlocks for a fair price that you will love. call him. his web is on the forum under links preflint. tell him chuck thom recommends his matchlocks

 

[Muskeg Stomper]

Middlesex Village Trading Company

 

[poordevil]

on page 22 of Dixies 2009 cat. is the jap Matchlock for $900.00

P.

 

[Jumpshot]

It's been removed from their website.

 

[Joel/Calgary]

Loyalist Arms has a somewhat generic European matchlock musket and a short (petronel-size) tanegashima "carbine". http://loyalistarms.freeservers.com/flintlockmatchlocketcmuskets.html

Regards,
Joel

 

[Jumpshot]

I asked Loyalist a few days ago about that Japanese 'carbine', they told me they're no longer carrying it.

 

[HMSLion]

Try http://arquebuserie-smgb.com/

I handled one of their guns at the 2006 World Championships, wish I had ordered one. The Hege matchlock is great (and no longer made), but weighs a ton. The French gun is a lot better mannered.

Also, join the Yahoo MLAIC group and ask. There are three matchlock events in international competition, you should be able to get answers.

 

[robinghewitt]

I am not a huge fan of production matchlocks. Don't want to raise any feathers but there are a lot of them out there that I would describe as planks. I think it comes from the shortage of originals and folk trying to copy guns from wood cut printing plates.

When you see an original it has wonderful flowing curves. They were expert wood carvers, didn't start with quarter sawn timber and a bandsaw. They were also tied by a complex set of rules for how one shape joins to another, this is particularly evident if you look at period wood turning.

I have on my asbestos underwear so feel free to comment :thumbsup:

bestest

Squire Robin

 

[oldarmy]

I take it, you have seen and handled a few originals..
Does the tower of London have a nice collection of originals..??

 

[robinghewitt]

I take it, you have seen and handled a few originals..
Does the tower of London have a nice collection of originals..??

You don't get to handle the complete ones, you just leave drool marks on the glass. OTOH people do have bits and if it ain't in a museum you get to paw it. I've laid hands on some nice pieces over the years, I own a 17th century barrel and a 15th century lock but original wood work is real scarce and all locked away. White cotton gloves and trusted hands only.

I studied woodwind from the 16th century in college and have wrapped my plastic calipers around ancient woodwork all over Europe. Didn't matter where you went the rules for decorative trim were the same. Once you'd spent a few years with the real things some of the repro woodwind started to look distinctly amateurish and all wrong.

I suspect that if the customer wanted grotesque heads or an anatomically correct depiction of his girlfriend on the stock then everything was possible but it all had to be blended in with the correct curves and flutes or it would have looked completely wrong to the Renaissance eye.

I think most of the Tower armoury collection is up at Leeds in the Royal Armoury now. Fortunately they want my lock which keeps them friendly :thumbsup:

SR

 

[oldarmy]

If you EVER get the chance to handle one... be sure you TAKE PICS.. from all angles.. like shumways RCA..
Do you have an opinion as to way they" British historians" will not allow pics of the matchlocks from the 30 years war and the BCW.. CROMWELL ERA??
I would think they would be a valuable tool..
As far as European carving and woodworking on firearms from the 18th century.. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[HMSLion]

I think the problem with many replica matchlocks is that they are built to a cost...and often by people who aren't shooters. The Hege and French guns are built for MLAIC competition - and fit the shooter like a Pennsylvania rifle. I visited the Musee de l'Armee in Paris, the French repro is an accurate reproduction.

 

[robinghewitt]

Do you have an opinion as to way they" British historians" will not allow pics of the matchlocks from the 30 years war and the BCW.. CROMWELL ERA??

I didn't know they did, tell me more

 

[oldarmy]

Squire,
I was assuming there must be some originals in the tower collection, or the military museum at Leeds collection.
Mike

 

[robinghewitt]

I was assuming there must be some originals in the tower collection, or the military museum at Leeds collection.

Hi Mike

Leeds got the Littlecote collection, they have more ECW matchlocks than you can shake a stick at.

The best collection of sporting matchlocks was in Dresden when we, er, did an early experiment with napalm and rather consigned them all to history :redface:

Squire Robin

 

[oldarmy]

Well that just sucks..What a waste, burn down London,,we burn down one of your cities.. I understand the reason.. It's just a shame that such history has to be sacrificed for the poor choices in elected officials. :hmm: I am sure that there were a great many historical British pieces that were destroyed in the war. Not to mention the millions of human lives :cursing:
That being said..why aren't there detailed pictures of those wonderful ECW matchlocks for contemporary builders?? Like you can find on RCA and other volumes??? any thought??
Or sources of pics...other then going to the museum. Which would be a GREAT TIME :thumbsup: