Wheellock Mechanism

Matchlock · 26th August 2011, 04:50 PM

You're not talking nonsense at all, 'Nando,

I can't solve the riddle either, though, apart from the fact that 25 mm is definitely not a standard musket caliber. Regular matchlock and wheellock muskets of the early 17th c. normally had smoothbores of ca. 19-20 mm.

We just know way too little about these special pieces.

Best,
Michl

P.S. The fuse is coming your way next week.

fernando · 26th August 2011, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matchlock

...The fuse is coming your way next week.

Oh Michl, i can't wait

rickystl · 26th August 2011, 07:19 PM

Hi Fernando and Michael!! UPS is holding the Lock for me. I'll pick it up late this afternoon after work. Can't wait to see it. I'll post more pics and information after I get a good look at it.
Those brass barrels make me think of possible Navel use? I copied the pics of both guns and sending to another contact for his opinion. Agree, this is a real mystery. Rick.

rickystl · 28th August 2011, 06:10 PM

Gentlemen: Received the Lock. Except for the two secondary sear pieces shown above, it appears to be complete. I have a guy that can make the two pieces. I don't know if the new pieces add any value to the Lock, but it won't detract since I'm not altering anything. If you look close, you can see where the missing parts were. Fortunately, nothing was broken, just missing. The plate does have threads which show it was originally installed on a gun. (Wish I had the rest of the gun

) Makes me think the Lock may have been in a gunsmith shop for repair/service, but for whatever reason the work was never completed. These wheellocks probably required a lot of maintenance. Anyway, I'm really happy with the purchase. It's a great addition to a lock collection. And, I appreciate your help identifying the Lock's Italian origin. Rick.

Matchlock · 28th August 2011, 07:29 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

rickystl · 28th August 2011, 11:38 PM

Hi Michael. Yes, I'm very pleased with it. And the fact that I did not have to over-pay for it makes it even better. It will probably be a couple months before I can start on the new parts. Too many other restoration projects already in the works.

I'll post before and after photos once the work is complete. Also, if the new proposed restoation section on the Forum comes about, this would be a good candadite to post.
In your opinion, would I be wrong to say this Lock was probably made between say 1580 and 1610? Thanks, Rick.

Matchlock · 29th August 2011, 06:34 PM

Hi Rick,

an assigned date of 'ca. 1590-1600' would be as close as possible in my opinion.

Best,
Michael

28th August 2011, 06:10 PM	#4
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,633	Gentlemen: Received the Lock. Except for the two secondary sear pieces shown above, it appears to be complete. I have a guy that can make the two pieces. I don't know if the new pieces add any value to the Lock, but it won't detract since I'm not altering anything. If you look close, you can see where the missing parts were. Fortunately, nothing was broken, just missing. The plate does have threads which show it was originally installed on a gun. (Wish I had the rest of the gun ) Makes me think the Lock may have been in a gunsmith shop for repair/service, but for whatever reason the work was never completed. These wheellocks probably required a lot of maintenance. Anyway, I'm really happy with the purchase. It's a great addition to a lock collection. And, I appreciate your help identifying the Lock's Italian origin. Rick. Attached Images

26th August 2011, 04:50 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	You're not talking nonsense at all, 'Nando, I can't solve the riddle either, though, apart from the fact that 25 mm is definitely not a standard musket caliber. Regular matchlock and wheellock muskets of the early 17th c. normally had smoothbores of ca. 19-20 mm. We just know way too little about these special pieces. Best, Michl P.S. The fuse is coming your way next week.

26th August 2011, 07:19 PM	#3
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,633	Hi Fernando and Michael!! UPS is holding the Lock for me. I'll pick it up late this afternoon after work. Can't wait to see it. I'll post more pics and information after I get a good look at it. Those brass barrels make me think of possible Navel use? I copied the pics of both guns and sending to another contact for his opinion. Agree, this is a real mystery. Rick.

28th August 2011, 07:29 PM	#5
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

28th August 2011, 11:38 PM	#6
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,633	Hi Michael. Yes, I'm very pleased with it. And the fact that I did not have to over-pay for it makes it even better. It will probably be a couple months before I can start on the new parts. Too many other restoration projects already in the works. I'll post before and after photos once the work is complete. Also, if the new proposed restoation section on the Forum comes about, this would be a good candadite to post. In your opinion, would I be wrong to say this Lock was probably made between say 1580 and 1610? Thanks, Rick.

29th August 2011, 06:34 PM	#7
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Rick, an assigned date of 'ca. 1590-1600' would be as close as possible in my opinion. Best, Michael