Snapping Matchlock

[RAEDWALD]

This is a just thinking out loud question.

Given that a snapping matchlock holds the matchcord up against a spring and the trigger releases the spring to slam it down into the pan could a flintlock lock be modified to cut away the steel (thus leaving the pan cover).

The cock could then be replaced by a serpentine so that, when the trigger is pulled, it jointly opens the pan and pushes the matchcord into the pan?

I have noticed Japanese and Indian matchlocks with inter connected serpentine and pan covers.

 

[raszpla]

I do not know if I understand correctly. this is about? http://www.engerisser.de/Bewaffnung/weapons/Caliver.html

 

[RAEDWALD]

Raszpla. My apologies if I am not being clear.

I was looking at my flintlock and thought that if the steel from the frizzen was cut off, leaving just the pan cover, then the pan would be opened as the trigger operated the lock. If the the flint were replaced with a piece of matchcord in some way then it would be pushed into the open pan when the trigger operated the lock.

Probably it would be best to make a serpentine to replace the cock and bend it such that the burning end of the matchcord reached the primed pan just as the pan is opened.

This seems to fit my understanding of a snapping matchlock in principle although clearly not as a period piece.

 

[raszpla]

I'm sorry! I did not understand the previous post.

 

[raszpla]

There are many very beautiful original solutions of the system snap-matchlock. They are brilliantly simple. There is no need to improvise, though self-improvisation is enjoyable. :hatsoff:

 

[Musketeer]

I was looking at my flintlock and thought that if the steel from the frizzen was cut off, leaving just the pan cover, then the pan would be opened as the trigger operated the lock. If the the flint were replaced with a piece of matchcord in some way then it would be pushed into the open pan when the trigger operated the lock.

The pan cover on a flintlock is only opened by the force of the flint striking the frizzen (hammer) of which it is a part. If the upper portion were removed, you'd have to manually open it before the shot. To turn a flintlock into a snapping matchlock, about the best you could do would be to replace the flint with a piece of wood about half the width of the cock jaws and clamp a piece of match alongside it. The fake "flint" would (theoretically) push the frizzen out of the way and allow the piece of match to strike the pan. I guess you could also make a serpentine to replace the cock that somehow had a projection at the front that would strike and open the frizzen. Either way, you need the striking surface of the frizzen in order to have an automatically opening pan, unless you completely redesigned the lock in some way. :hmm:

Flintlock Ignition

 

[DickS]

A snaphaunce style pushrod could open the pan.
I suspect that the action of a flint cock holding a piece of match would be far too violent for the match.

No doubt a snapping matchlock with self opening pan could be made - no doubt was made four hundred odd years ago - it would likely be better to just make the mechanism rather than trying to adapt a flintlock.

 

[Musketeer]

A snaphaunce style pushrod could open the pan.
I suspect that the action of a flint cock holding a piece of match would be far too violent for the match.

No doubt a snapping matchlock with self opening pan could be made - no doubt was made four hundred odd years ago - it would likely be better to just make the mechanism rather than trying to adapt a flintlock.

All excellent points. :hatsoff:

 

[RAEDWALD]

Fair enough, was just a passing thought.

 

[Musketeer]

Fair enough, was just a passing thought.

No problem. Nothing wrong with the basic idea. I was just pointing out that you'd need more modifications than you may have thought to get something decently functional. :v :hatsoff:

 

[Teleoceras]

Raszpla:

There are many very beautiful original solutions of the system snap-matchlock. They are brilliantly simple. There is no need to improvise, though self-improvisation is enjoyable. :hatsoff:

I just saw the video of the one you made and sent to the fellow in North Carolina! Beautiful Arquebus!

Slowmatch Forever!
Teleoceras

 

[raszpla]

Now I am waiting impatiently, when they first shoot. :hatsoff:

 

[Teleoceras]

Raszpla:

Now I am waiting impatiently, when they first shoot. :hatsoff:

I know, last week I sent him a bag of slowmatch I made a few months ago. He told me privately that he had ordered the round balls and then he is going to video the test. I'm looking forward to see how the Arquebus shoots.

Slowmatch Forever!
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