Matchlock madness

mrclean89

mrclean89

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
81   0   0
Location
Nanaimo, BC
So as I sit in the airport here today waiting to fly to gunsmithing school :cheers: I Started reading about matchlocks after seeing one on the military heritage website. I now want one. I have several other blackpowder guns, flints and caps but I want to broaden my horizons and get something different. Ive never seen anybody shoot one they seem to be quite rare as far as ownership goes even with replicas.

So my question is What are they like ? The biggest problem I could foresee is finding the matchcord (if thats what it is called)

Would really appreciate any insight you guys could offer into this new bug I have caught :)

Cheers, Mclean
 
A matchlock is pretty easy to build. Just build a flintlock, but inlet a matchlock instead ;) The barrel is identical to a flinter bbl.

There are websites that show how to make your own slowmatch.
 
mrclean89 said:
Ive never seen anybody shoot one they seem to be quite rare as far as ownership goes even with replicas.

So my question is What are they like ? The biggest problem I could foresee is finding the matchcord (if thats what it is called)
Click to expand...

Do a search for handgonne and you will find Uli Bretscher's home page including a recipe for making slow match. You have to go back and forth a couple of times to get to his home page. He used to have pictures of shooting a matchlock but I could not find that on the current page --- may not have looked far enough.

A matchlock will go off about the same speed as a flintlock and the biggest problem is not finding the braided cotton chord but in find a oxidizer to make the chord burn hot and with little ash. I am pretty sure that Uli uses lead acetate as the oxidizer but I also think that it is a controlled substance and suspect we save a lot of fuss and bother by soaking the cotton chord in dissolved black powder; it is 75% saltpeter and for small amounts of chord, probably easier than trying to find a source of saltpeter. The slow match is removed for loading and Uli kept the burning end in a perforated can hanging from his waist, when I saw him shoot. Also while Uli shoots a snapping matchlock, the guns that I have and have seen were made in India in the 1800s and have a very simple trigger arrangement that presses the serpent and match into the pan

cheers mooncoon

Indiangunsb.jpg
 
You could go the traditional way with a matchlock or try something new ...like use a wooden match to ignite it. Wood matches will ignite when rubbed on a rough surface. Maybe make a hammer with a Dremel like collet to hold the match then you could have half and full ####.
Some day I want to make a really funky gun but don't have the equipment for long bores so it would have to be a handgun,this would open a can of worms ie: current gun laws. :nest:
 
hmm very interesting, I think i will campaign towards getting one. My next animal this year will be taken with my .50 flintlock Pennsylvania rifle. The next perhaps a matchlock, Never heard of anyone hunting with one. I like trying new things with guns. I seem to have a problem haha

Correct me if i'm wrong Doug but I thought that handgonnes and the matchlocks im taking about were different. The mechanism is basiclly the same but the stock and handling are different. Or is this because they are just from different parts of the world.

Cheers, McLean

BTW thanks for all your input guys
 
mrclean89 said:
Correct me if i'm wrong Doug but I thought that handgonnes and the matchlocks im taking about were different. The mechanism is basiclly the same but the stock and handling are different. Or is this because they are just from different parts of the world.
Click to expand...

Handgonnes are basically hand cannons and usually mounted on the end of a pole. However Uli Bretscher, the owner of the handgonne page also owns and used to shoot a matchlock and I think at one time had photos or articles about it on his home page. He does have a recipe and instructions for making slow match on his home page and you would need slow match to fire a matchlock although a smaller diameter chord than used in the lintstock of a handgonne. I think the braided cotton chord can be found in fabric shops and may be used as the beading or core of the sort of round margin around furniture cushions.

cheers mooncoon
 
This is all very helpful as usual Doug. Making cord could be another good hobby whilst I am out here at school.

On another note once I get settled in here Im going to start making blackpowder paper cartriges. Ive managed to find some pretty easy ways to do it. Once I make a few ill post the how to on here.

McLean
 
first gun I ever built was a matchlock....it was real crude but I loved shooting it. I used to make my own match out of cotton washline soaked in water with a few teaspoons of blackpowder mixed in, I used about 355ml of water to something like two teaspoons of powder as I reacall.
 
matchlock

greetings-i restored three turkish pieces a few years ago and fired them all-not with proof loads though. the one that could not ignite with my homemade slow match i used a piece of mini cannon fuse. they seem just as efficient in ignition as my flinters and that is why they were still in use into the 1800's. the ones i had seemed to be circa 1640 or so. enjoy school. regards
 
Window sash cord can be had at most hardware stores. Cut a foot or so and pull out the core as it is not cotton I believe.
Any drugstore will sell 100 gms of saltpetre (kn03) also known as potassium nitrate. A solution made from that and four cups of hot water , soak the cotton cord , for an hour or so , then hang up to dry.
Light one end , till you get a glowing tip , then let the fun begin.
Use caution , as this 'match' spits a tiny spark occasionally.

I use this for my linstock , to touch off the cannon.
 
hmm thanks for all the input, one other thing for you matchlock guys. I am wondering if anyone knows where I can get a "bandolier of flasks" or "apostles" as they are called for shooting these. I have found some in the UK but would much prefer in Canada.


cheers, McLean
 
I know of a fellow CGN'R who has built a match lock that fires golf balls. Perhaps if this comes to his attention he may post some pics of it. Kinda looks like a medieval bazooka....

Cheers. Steve.
 
WOW that is one hell of bore size. Wonder if it can shoot lead as well, that would pack quite a punch considering the buttstocks on those guns.

McLean
 
mrclean89 said:
hmm thanks for all the input, one other thing for you matchlock guys. I am wondering if anyone knows where I can get a "bandolier of flasks" or "apostles" as they are called for shooting these. I have found some in the UK but would much prefer in Canada.
Click to expand...

They should not be too hard to make on a metal lathe and you are going to need a metal lathe when you finish your classes

cheers Doug
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom