Swedish flintlock
 

Good Morning!

Here are some photos of my Swedish flintlock musket.

This muscet is found here in Finland from "Savo-area" where border there between Sweden and Russia was locatet on those days. And Finland was part of Sweden. Whole border was about 1000km long-so not very easy to keep it on eye...

Then started Napolean wars and battle-area against Sweden and Russia was here in Finland .This gun was one of "Savo Prigade" muscet. War battled years 1808-09 and Swedish (Finnish) army loss that war and Finland came part of Russia.

Muscet is modell 1799 if I'm right (I got one older 1747 model with this,but it is a bit modified one). Caliber is about 18,5mm and lenght of muscet is ca. 145cm. And is heavy...

One example of Finnish history...

regards Markku

Congratulations for your musket, Markku.
A very interesting lock version of the early "doglock" type.

Very nice musket Markku.

It appears in good order, and yes, the dog catch and rear sight are hall -marks of these muskets, and Swedish arms of that period in general.
We do see a few turn up in the UK as well, but how they got there I do not know!
I am pleased you found such a nice example. Will you use it at all?

Best wishes,
Richard.

Hi all!

Yes-it is in full shooting condition-man who sold
it to me used it hunting only small of time ago.


And too use shooting "normal" situation-shows,weddings,partys an so on.

I have horn and all other "things" for use this.But
not tested yet...


Other older one I have I'm not sure how good it
is-but looks nice.It has a bit bigger bore- ca. 20mm
and is longer and heavier.

Many people moved to America/Canada from here 18'---19' century (and
beginning of 20' ) -they
went there by ship often via England and some of them sold their guns in UK harbours for having money?

Or perhaps musket are sold there from Sweden ? Who knows?

Even sold from America to UK-I belive Civil war weapons were
quite international -all used what found.And finnish origin people
was there in USA a lot of number.

regards Markku

A very nice pair, Markku! They look very nice indeed.
I am please this one is in good working order!

I am interested also in the Finnish seal -hunting guns, if you ever run across any photographs... Often with the "Baltic" lock.

Very best wishes,
Richard.

Hi Richard!

One way to see and read Finnish Seal-guns is first put
computer "www.google.fi"----then write word "hyljepyssy".

Youl'l find photos and other data of them-and using google translator
perhaps can have it your language.

One my friend owns seal gun made Mauser-rifle lock and it is now
caliber 7x54. Patrons have to make self to this.Pitty I don't have
photos.

Old ones made using all kind of parts-muskets...but some smiths
made whole rifle self.

One perhaps interesting history is when Krim war was active-came British warships to Finnish coast (we where part of Russia) -and one battle was front of Kokkola town .Day of battle was 7th of June 1854. Two British boats-HMS Vulturen and HMS Odin where those boats.

HMS Vulturen and HMS Odin send 9 barcasses -leaders ltn. Burton and ltn.Wise and full group of men on board. But they didn't know that there was waiting group of Finnish seal-hunter with guns back buildings.And those men really can shoot! When sealhunter started-Finnish soldiers too started with own guns and canons... So it happens that Finnish group branched one barcass and took British soldiers as prisoners. British navy loosed 1 barcass, 3 officers and 15 seaman died...3 officers and 31 seaman was captured.

Name of battle was "Halkokarin kahakka" and best seal hunter named Matts Kankkonen-he shot First Ltn. Garrington -got very high badge (St. Georgs Knight medal) from Russian Empire Nikolai 1.st- and Kokkonen was painted-painting is now in our president's "castle". Here are photos of that battle-borrowed from i-net.

regards Markku

...One photo more (borroved from "IltaSanomat".)

* President Niinistö...Mr. Kankkonen and Prince William...

regards Markku

Thank you for the search word for the sealing guns Markku! Very kind of you!
Thank you also for the good photographs!

Yes, I know the story of the battle you mention, and the accurate fire of the Finn seal hunters! They were very good with these primitive -looking rifles.
I had photos one time of the rifle used by Matts Kankkonen. A very good shot!
Mind, Simo Hayha maybe had him beat! :-)

I will send a link to a good friend back in England, who has a long time interest in the Crimean War.

Thank you for reminding me of it, as I had forgotten the name.

Very best wishes,
Richard.