Torador breeching.

David R · 13th February 2018, 11:46 AM

Watching these torador threads with a lot of interest. I have one myself, bought years ago, and always wondered what they would be like to shoot.

I read an account of Skinners Horse (Yellowboys) demonstrating their skills, and they shot at bottles hung from a tree branch, while at full gallop.

Pukka Bundook · 13th February 2018, 01:52 PM

David,

Do you have a link to your matchlock?
If not, I'd love to see it somewhere!

The "enquiring mind" on these is what got me interested in firing one as well!

I would really like to hear if and when you do get yours running. :-)
Yes, I know these are antique artefacts, but so much remains academic unless we can fill out the picture to some degree.

To me, the more we learn about these, and the people /culture, the richer our experience becomes. Have been enjoying looking at miniature paintings of hunting scenes, (Moghul etc. ) So vibrant and full of life and humour!
We should start a thread on these!

Very best,
Richard.

archer · 13th February 2018, 04:47 PM

Hi Richard,
Waiting your trial runs with clay. My guess is that for birds and other small
game the clay balls might be aimed in front and below the target. Fragmenting into crude shot with a similar effect to barking a squirrel Daniel Boone style.
Know any potters or will Moms oven work? Steve

Pukka Bundook · 14th February 2018, 02:17 PM

Archer,

Please do not hold your breath on the clay balls! You will go a funny colour.

The ground is very frozen and must thaw first, and before that, the foot or two of snow must melt. It has been cold this winter, and minus 30C to minus 38C or more not uncommon.

(Coldest recorded here was Minus 91F!.............with the wind they reckon.)
Froze a lot of cows that winter.

Re clay balls;
Been thinking how they could be made a consistent size. A mould with relief grooves to allow excess to 'squidge' out seems practical.

More than likely just roll a ball and see'f it fits!

archer · 14th February 2018, 07:44 PM

Hi Richard,
Any suitable lead mold should do fine. I’m trying to say decide whether to get snow out of Drive or off deck first. Steve

rickystl · 18th February 2018, 03:24 PM

Embarrassed, I STILL have not had my Torador out for test firing

Between regular work and working on gun projects, I don't seem to find the time. I have so many guns that need test firing, including the Torador.
But I'm going to change this situation starting this Spring.

I can imagine the clay balls acting as a crude form of shot after leaving the muzzle. Would be interesting to try that out at about 15 yards.

Rick

13th February 2018, 11:46 AM	#1
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,123	Watching these torador threads with a lot of interest. I have one myself, bought years ago, and always wondered what they would be like to shoot. I read an account of Skinners Horse (Yellowboys) demonstrating their skills, and they shot at bottles hung from a tree branch, while at full gallop. Attached Images

13th February 2018, 04:47 PM	#3
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Clay balls Hi Richard, Waiting your trial runs with clay. My guess is that for birds and other small game the clay balls might be aimed in front and below the target. Fragmenting into crude shot with a similar effect to barking a squirrel Daniel Boone style. Know any potters or will Moms oven work? Steve

14th February 2018, 07:44 PM	#5
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Molds Hi Richard, Any suitable lead mold should do fine. I’m trying to say decide whether to get snow out of Drive or off deck first. Steve

13th February 2018, 01:52 PM	#2
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	David, Do you have a link to your matchlock? If not, I'd love to see it somewhere! The "enquiring mind" on these is what got me interested in firing one as well! I would really like to hear if and when you do get yours running. :-) Yes, I know these are antique artefacts, but so much remains academic unless we can fill out the picture to some degree. To me, the more we learn about these, and the people /culture, the richer our experience becomes. Have been enjoying looking at miniature paintings of hunting scenes, (Moghul etc. ) So vibrant and full of life and humour! We should start a thread on these! Very best, Richard.

14th February 2018, 02:17 PM	#4
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Archer, Please do not hold your breath on the clay balls! You will go a funny colour. The ground is very frozen and must thaw first, and before that, the foot or two of snow must melt. It has been cold this winter, and minus 30C to minus 38C or more not uncommon. (Coldest recorded here was Minus 91F!.............with the wind they reckon.) Froze a lot of cows that winter. Re clay balls; Been thinking how they could be made a consistent size. A mould with relief grooves to allow excess to 'squidge' out seems practical. More than likely just roll a ball and see'f it fits!

18th February 2018, 03:24 PM	#6
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,633	Embarrassed, I STILL have not had my Torador out for test firing Between regular work and working on gun projects, I don't seem to find the time. I have so many guns that need test firing, including the Torador. But I'm going to change this situation starting this Spring. I can imagine the clay balls acting as a crude form of shot after leaving the muzzle. Would be interesting to try that out at about 15 yards. Rick