Wheellock (?) Photos

[rickystl]

Hi guys. Here are some photos of a long gun that is currently at auction and advertised as a 1600's German wheellock.
I thought this might make for a fun Thread. :haha:
So, after ya'll stop laughing, lets start a list of whats wrong with this gun. I know this will be obvious to most, but I want to see if others notice one thing in particular. Comments appreciated. :haha: Rick.

 

[wulf]

This will be interesting........
Wulf

 

[robinghewitt]

That strip of brass along the bottom doesn't look hopeful because it has no allowance for a trigger bow, but then you see the side plate and it makes you wonder if maybe an old pistol lock hasn't been grafted on to a plank. Shame it lost it's serpentine.

 

[Alden]

I most love the use of the spring as an integral part of the serpentine.

It's like someone had half a gun and an Erector Set...

 

[ChrisPer]

Well, its impressive. They may have had half a gun when they started, but they didn't look at a pic of a real gun to build it from.

The way the edge of the stock flat around the lockplate is rounded while the transition into the stock is sharp is pretty unique.

The checkering and the engraving are wildly conflickting skill levels.

The buttplate as rectangle of plain brass plate is made a delightful feature of this classic by being highly polished.

I cant make up my mind between an Indian antique faker commissioning a village workshop to do it, and Bubba doing it himself, but taking engraving lessons for a year before putting the final touches on. Probably Bubba.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Certainly would be nice to know if the coat-of-arms was real. If so, I'd go with a mix of old, new and holy krap! :rotf:

 

[Alden]

Brass plating is nice around rusty brads is cool. I know what it is though...

...a Transformer. Step back! I think it's a Decepticon!!!

 

[Wes/Tex]

Step back! I think it's a Decepticon!!!

"Erection Set"...NO! That ain't right!!! :rotf:

 

[rickystl]

:rotf:

 

[rickystl]

:rotf:

 

[rickystl]

Thanks for all the responses! :haha:
What I believe we are looking at is a crudely built Victorian Era (about 1840-1900) copy. They were usually made with a combination of original parts and new made (for the time). Copies of old weapons were all the rage with decorators in various areas of Europe during this time. Copies of guns, swords, and even complete suites of armour were made, depending on the size of the customer's pocketbook.
The seller says the gun weighs 14-lbs. And the reason for that is the barrel. He says the barrel is 48" long. Don't know if anyone noticed, but the barrel is from an original Indian (Country) Matchlock Wall Gun (Bandag). The lock looks either German or Dutch, of course missing it's original Dog and spring. The quality of these copies varies all over the place. The builder of this one obviously had only minor skills. It's amazing how many of these copies ended up in the States. The builders of these guns were not really trying to "fake" an original as we normally use the term today. They were built simply for decorating "effect".
The seller obviously does not know what he has. He starts off the bidding at $2,000.00 !! :haha: And of course there are no bidders. Haven't got the heart to tell him the gun's only worth about $300.00 - and then to only a very specialized collector.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed the photos. :haha: Rick. :hatsoff:

 

[Alden]

I know of what you speak Ricky, as do many here, however the parts used in the "repair" of the lock say "20th C. junk-yard" to me, not Victorian era work per se... And who would have been brass-plating foil or brads then?

 

[pargent]

Modern made out of India using some old parts and what ever else was lying around , all sorts of these things are doing the rounds of the gun shows , basicly a $20 wall decoration .

 

[rickystl]

Hi Alden. Been under the weather the last few days.
After looking these pics over closely a few more times, I must say that I now agree with YOUR assessment vs my original. The "erector set" piece is obviously a 20th Century item. The barrel though is for sure from an Indian matchlock. He mentioned that the butt plate was horn. Well, ok. Doesn't change anything. I agree with you. This does not even equal a VE Copy in quality. This is simply the worst comboulation of parts I've ever seen :haha: Doesn't even make a good wall hanger. It's just....well...a big mess. :idunno: :haha:
Glad the Post got a couple of laughs. That was my main purpose. Just when you think you've seen the worst. :haha: Rick. :hatsoff:

 

[rickystl]

Hi Phil. You're right. The VE Copies, and lesser grade middle eastern types always seem to be at the gun shows. Fortunately, most of us know what we are looking at. But this wheellock contraption didn't even pass the smell test! :haha: Rick. Thanks for looking.

 

[Alden]

I believe there's an old, likely Victorian, decorative piece for sale now...