Wheellock Mechanism

Matchlock · 28th August 2011, 06:29 PM

Hi Rick,

Very attractive piece, as expected!

Everything else, apart from the missing parts, seems to be all complete and original, preserved in very good condition. The scrollwork engraving on the dogs also is characteristic of Italy, ca. 1590.

And you are absolutely right about the fact that these complicated wheellock mechanisms sure needed a lot of permanent attention and maintenance. Looks like your lock mechanism got damaged during use in its early years and taken out of the musket for repair which it actually never saw. The point about these Italian locks are that they usually had very strong springs, with the weakest parts being the chain and sear. Yours, too, should have strong springs.

I do think it will add to the value when it is correctly repaired. Just patinate the replaced minor parts to optically match.

Congratulations again,
Michael

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Threaded Mode

28th August 2011, 06:29 PM	#26
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Rick, Very attractive piece, as expected! Everything else, apart from the missing parts, seems to be all complete and original, preserved in very good condition. The scrollwork engraving on the dogs also is characteristic of Italy, ca. 1590. And you are absolutely right about the fact that these complicated wheellock mechanisms sure needed a lot of permanent attention and maintenance. Looks like your lock mechanism got damaged during use in its early years and taken out of the musket for repair which it actually never saw. The point about these Italian locks are that they usually had very strong springs, with the weakest parts being the chain and sear. Yours, too, should have strong springs. I do think it will add to the value when it is correctly repaired. Just patinate the replaced minor parts to optically match. Congratulations again, Michael