Matchlock\Flintlock Musket

Yesterday, I received a Musket built by John Buck based on a late 17th Century French design. She is 61" overall with a 44" barrel. The wood is Walnut.

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At the range I used a .690RB with .015 patch with 85grs of GOEX Fg.

The first shot was as a Matchlock and she went 2" from the bullseye at 7 O'Clock. The next shot was as a Flintlock and it was a BULLSEYE touching the 10 ring at 12 O'Clock!

That put me in a good mood and I got down to seeing which was more accurate, A Matchlock or a Flintlock?

As a Matchlock the average was 2"-3" groups at 25 yards.

As a Flintlock, she shot 1"-2" groups at 25 yards.

Overall, I am very satisfied with her! I'm calling this one Wilma.:D

always wanted to try a flintlock... Very nice looking rifle. Maybe I should show off my rifles...

Matt:

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always wanted to try a flintlock... Very nice looking rifle. Maybe I should show off my rifles...

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Sure, it would be nice to see what you have!

The majority of my muzzleloaders are military oriented. I am a big fan of my smoothbore Muskets although I also shoot a P53 Enfield Rifle-Musket. I just love the clean spartan lines of the old style wood stocked military arms.

BTW, you ever think of shooting a Matchlock? :beerchug:

At the moment I have 3 1853 enfields (euroarms and armisport), a 1861 springfield (euroarms), a 1859 sharps (berdan) rifle by armisport, and a uberti 1860 colt army.

Ill try to get pics of them up later, thought had some on my pc but guess not:dunno:

Not too interested in the matchlocks. nice to look at, but wouldnt care to shoot one.

But then, I never turn down an offer to shoot a gun.

How'd you get intertested in technology that old?

Teloceras,
THAT is one interesting musket! I've seen dual ignition guns before, percusion/rimfire, rimfire/centerfire, but never flintlock/matchlock! Is the trigger guard the trigger for the matchlock wick holder? Leave it to the French to back-up the "New Fangled" technology of a flintlock with a matchlock system! :madsmile:

Thanks for sharing that!

Bilbo

Bilbo & 2571:

Yes, the trigger guard also serves as the trigger for the Matchlock.

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How'd you get intertested in technology that old?

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I've been shooting muzzleloaders for 28 years but only got my first Flintlock, Matchlock, and Handgonne (Hand Cannon) 10 years ago. I got my Wheellock a few years later.

I was interested in trying all of the older military tech. When I noticed that there were people building the arms, I just had to satisfy my curiosity. It figures that my curiosity changed into full blown obsession once I started shooting them!:bow:

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My website shows all of what I have the use Black Powder from my Handgonnes to my Trapdoor.

I don't know who was nuttier, the guy who invented that or the guy who reproduced it. Another one of those "belt and suspender" things that come along at a time of technological change. Remember the chambers that allowed a cartridge gun to be used with loose powder and ball?

Jim

Jim K:

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I don't know who was nuttier, the guy who invented that or the guy who reproduced it. Another one of those "belt and suspender" things that come along at a time of technological change. Remember the chambers that allowed a cartridge gun to be used with loose powder and ball?

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Yes, I know the old Ballard Rifles had the capability to switch between a Cartridge and Cap n' ball.

Fvlick Sarvm had made a .77 Flintlock around 1690 that had a hinged breech and a removable iron chamber with flashpan. I saw a picture of that one in the book Powder and Ball Small Arms by Martin Pegler.

One other note, I got word from the builder of the Musket that he was able to order an 8 bore (.83) barrel so my 16th Century Matchlock Musket is a go! He is building that one from an example of a Musket owns that was built in Suhl from that time period.:D

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Originally Posted by Jim K

I don't know who was nuttier, the guy who invented that or the guy who reproduced it. Another one of those "belt and suspender" things that come along at a time of technological change. Remember the chambers that allowed a cartridge gun to be used with loose powder and ball?

Jim

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Wouldn't say that it was totally nutty c. 135 years ago and out in the country, much less on the frontier.

Cartridges were expensive and your local general store might not have them when you need 'em. So -- between having an expensive cane (firearm without ammunition) or one shot, I'd go with the one shot.

From what I've read when cartridges and reloading gear became cheap and plentiful people quit making these hermaphrodites.