Tschinke Wheellock Rifle for Comment

[rickystl]

Originally Posted by Matchlock

Hi Rick,

I'm afraid to say that this is in no case a characteristic mid-2nd half Silesian/Polish Tschinke ...

The mechanism is of Tschinke mid-17th c. type alright, but the rest of the gun is way too heavily built and too short at the same time. If you wish me to I'll post images of characteristic 1630's-40's Tschinkes. I'm almost sure sure your barrel is shorter, heavier and of unusually large (rifled?) caliber. The average Tschinke calber is of 9-13 mm rifled bore - they were ladies' birding guns after all.

Best, Michael

Hi Michael. I very much agree with your assesment. I've actually held three original Tschinke rifles, and viewed many photos in reference books. The three I inspected had the covered wheel. And, as you said, have longer, slim, and smaller caliber barrels. As well, the stock architecture is very different. Having held this piece, it looks like it was made as a larger caliber hunting rifle utilizing a Tschinke lock. (?)
The index card attached to the trigger guard had a description of what the owner "thinks" he has. Unfortunately, my aging memory can't recall the information on the card. However, I should receive this along with the additional photos over the weekend and will Post here.
Michael: Thanks to your expertise, we will be able to advise him a more accurate assesment of what he really owns. This should be fun.
Rick.