Newbie here! I'm looking for naval firearms to use as props for an early 1600s British tallship film documentary, Henry Hudson era (1609-1611). I'm guessing this will be pistols, muskets, blunderbusses, etc, in the pre-flintlock period (matchlock?). I'd like to buy a weapon or two, but something better quality than a replica. I'd like to be able to use it for hunting or target after the film is done. Any advice?
Early 1600's firearm recommendations?
- Thread starter Cavesson
- Start date
I think you would be looking at matchlocks and wheel locks for that time period. Not sure of a good source for quality ones. The flintlock started around 1650 and was preceded by the snaphaunce although I am not sure by how much. I just checked and Hudson died in 1611 and I think that would semi rule out the snaphaunce
cheers mooncoon
cheers mooncoon
- Location
- Algoma region
I'm thinking that wheel lock pistols would be a rare thing at the time, a item for those with the affluence to afford it, something for the better off of the European Calvary and Nobel blue bloods of varying rank
"the loyalist wheel lock is a restricted arm looked upon by our overseers as no different then a glock or a 1911 colt"
In the future I want to make a early pattern rifle using one of their locks....
Now a matchlock smoothbore musket is the common arm at that time,
since were on the subject of Loyalist arms,
their matchlock musket looks much like museum pieces I have seen, and its plain enough to allow some personalization.
The matchlock musket was the working arm of the early early settlers, it kept them fed and defended against savages of many varieties
Cheers
"the loyalist wheel lock is a restricted arm looked upon by our overseers as no different then a glock or a 1911 colt"
In the future I want to make a early pattern rifle using one of their locks....
Now a matchlock smoothbore musket is the common arm at that time,
since were on the subject of Loyalist arms,
their matchlock musket looks much like museum pieces I have seen, and its plain enough to allow some personalization.
The matchlock musket was the working arm of the early early settlers, it kept them fed and defended against savages of many varieties
Cheers
There is a portrait of Martin Frobisher holding a wheelock pistol, and the early print of his men volleying away at Inuit suggests matchlock calivers.
Wheelocks would certainly have been less common, matchlock muskets would have been the norm. I suspect that muskets with either fishtail or curved butts would be appropriate.
There were snaplocks in use during the period, as well.
Are there any surviving records of how Hudson's ship was equipped?
Wheelocks would certainly have been less common, matchlock muskets would have been the norm. I suspect that muskets with either fishtail or curved butts would be appropriate.
There were snaplocks in use during the period, as well.
Are there any surviving records of how Hudson's ship was equipped?
Suka
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
A few yrs ago I was looking for a blunderbuss. Found a company in England that sells all kinds, but $$$
If you search for "blunderbuss", I'm sure you'll find them.
They also sold matchlocks, etc.
There's a racing saying, "speed costs, how fast do you want to go?" I'm thinking it could also be, "history costs, how old do you want it?"
Best of luck.
If you search for "blunderbuss", I'm sure you'll find them.
They also sold matchlocks, etc.
There's a racing saying, "speed costs, how fast do you want to go?" I'm thinking it could also be, "history costs, how old do you want it?"
Best of luck.
- Location
- Algoma region
I myself would go for the pattern with the tiller trigger bar. Looks as though it would be fun to master.
Here's some shots loyalist has of their arm, I think its a nice looking solid banger, some file work and after some time and use she will look great.
Makes my land pattern bess look like a graceful fowling carbine
While we wait for Cavesson to get back to us, can someone point out the differences between the flintlock and snaphaunce?
Which came first?
Why one lasted over the other?
Procedural differences(operation) in their use in the field?
Personal preferrences?
Which came first?
Why one lasted over the other?
Procedural differences(operation) in their use in the field?
Personal preferrences?
the snaphaunce use's a seprate pan cover you have to push it ahead (like a wheellock) to fire the gun, the flintlock use's a pancover combined with the frizzin, hence the reason it outlived the snaphaunce less hassel, they were both developed closly side by side as far as I know.
The snaphaunce preceded the flintlock by 50 years or so. The flintlock as we know it today was developed in France around 1650 and spread around Europe fairly quickly. The snaphaunce persisted for quite a long time in the mediteranean countries.
You may run into some confusion about what a snaphaunce is because in "the Flintlock and its Development" by Thorsten Lenk, he uses the term to refer to what we would call a miquelet lock. Miquelet locks have the sear moving horizontally through the side plate and act on the hammer not on the tumbler. Miquelet locks can being either snaphaunce or flintlock or percussion
cheers mooncoon
you will also note that in germany you'll find the wheellock used on rifles as late as the mid 1700s I've seen one on a rifle from the 1730s...and one italian snaphaunce I've seen made circa 1750. also in america you'll find the matchlock was used rather late there is one example of a european matchlock I've seen dated 1840 and made here by the spanish.
