early matchlock sporting firearms
 

I am interested in building a reproduction of the earliest known existing matchlock/snapping lock sporting firearm either smoothbore or rifled. Does anyone have information and or photographs of such a firearm? I would truly appreciate any information regarding this matter.
Thanks...max gunn

Max, I have taken an interest in matchlocks since 40 years ago when I first read Petersen's The Great Guns. The distinction between sporting and military firearms is not particularly clear so far back. Rather, there were gradations of wealth of makers' patrons that resulted in differing quality of craftsmanship and degree of decoration. An arm that might seem sporting could be intended for war by a member of the aristocracy. A better distinction might be between utilitarian arsenal grade and privately commissioned arms. There is a strong 'preservation bias' that the most decorated arms survive in displays where a field-grade or military arm would be scrapped and its metal recycled.

Matchlock (the forum member not the type) has said he specialises in the earliest arsenal firearms - the ones built for armies, and therefore distinguished from private arms. However, you should read all his posts for your education on the earliest firearms and distinctions between the types, and of course his wonderful research in contemporary documentation and illustration.

How will you then define your intended matchlock sporting arm? I saw a lovely Chinese one in an exhibition from China that concentrated on the robes and personal possessions of several Emperors. It had a middling level of decoration, comparable to some of the lovelier inlaid crossbows we see; but what distinguished it as a sporting arm was its slimness and impression of lightness (obviously I could not handle it). However, its date was quite late and I do not believe it would suit your criteria for that reason.

My suggestion is that you read through the Classic Posts thread's links for matchlock and serpentine arms if what you want is the earliest. If you are after the nicest, early private commission arm you will form impressions of calivers and harquebuses that fit your ideas, and look through museum and auction catalogues to find one you want to copy.

As for all reproductions, try to get the actual weight and thickness dimensions so that you don't build too heavy. Those of us that build from photographs seem to usually produce something so overweight as to be not a good reproduction.

early matchlock sporting firearms
 

ChrisPer, thanks for your reply on my inquiry concerning early matchlock sporting firearms. My main interest is with European firearms. I have a poor photo copy of an American Rifleman article from March,1953 entitled "The Earliest Known Rifle" where the author, William G. Renwick, shows a photo of a early firearm owned by Maximilian 1. The author claims that the barrel is rifled and has provided four grainy photos showing the muzzle of the barrel showing what appears to be spiral groves. Per the article,the gun is decorated with the single-headed eagle crest used by Maximilian 1 between 1493 and 1508 . The photo shows a short gun with a cheek piece on the left side of the stock, a multi-diameter round barrel, and a rear peep sight. The gun is missing it's lock, but it appears to have had a snap matchlock. The gun still retains the staples that held the lock. The author also included a copy of an illustration made by Joerg Koelderer, Maximilian 1s court artist, that pictures several similar looking firearms. I will use your advice and continue to research this project, but will certainly keep Maximilian 1s firearm in mind when I start the build process. Thanks for your input..sal

Much later guns, but Visser shows a number of 17th century snapping matchlock target rifles.
See The Visser Collection Volume I, Part I, pages 95-120. Good illustrations. All are made with a substantial hand support under the forestock.
Not at all so intriguing as what Matchlock posts, unless I suppose you are a dedicated target shooter.

early matchlock sporting firearms
 

Thanks for the reference...I will look it up. I am a target shooter as well as a hunter.