17thC Scottish Snaphaunce Musket

Norman McCormick · 12th July 2012, 03:26 PM

Hi,
I have now received a reply to my enquiry from the Royal Armouries in Leeds. British snaphaunce C1700 based on lock style and barrel, what appears to be London private proofmark on the barrel C1702 although I get the impression that this is probably open to conjecture. Clearly not classically Scottish therefore not necessarily Scottish. The Scottish aspect is obviously not provable either way but I would like to think, based on info already received, the possibility is there.

I'm in the process of arranging the removal of what I think is a ball and charge still in the musket with a muzzleloading member of my rifle club and I will post the results. I am delighted to have this piece in my collection regardless of pedigree and I would like to thank you all for your kind words and continued interest. Should any further information come to light I will of course let you know.
My Regards,
Norman.

P.S. A light application of gun oil and 'hey presto' the lock is working just fine sliding pan cover and all.

rickystl · 12th July 2012, 08:35 PM

Norman: Thanks for the update. Keep us posted.

Michael: Don't know how I missed that in the second Post?

Thanks, Rick.

rickystl · 12th July 2012, 09:43 PM

Pneumatic un-loader for flintlock. In case you and your associates are interested. Rick.

Norman McCormick · 27th July 2012, 02:58 PM

Hi,
Attempts to remove whatever is in the bore have so far been unsuccessful but this piece of material, wadding?, and what might be small pieces of hard 'grease' was attached to the screw upon withdrawal. I would appreciate your opinions on it. I will make a tool with a deeper thread and have another go!
Regards,
Norman.

Gavin Nugent · 27th July 2012, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi,
Attempts to remove whatever is in the bore have so far been unsuccessful but this piece of material, wadding?, and what might be small pieces of hard 'grease' was attached to the screw upon withdrawal. I would appreciate your opinions on it. I will make a tool with a deeper thread and have another go!
Regards,
Norman.

Keep going mate.

This looks like the same flaxen material used in the maufacture of old sword canes. Perhaps this is part of an old late 19th/early 20th century method of deactivation.

Gav

Norman McCormick · 27th July 2012, 04:43 PM

Hi Gav,
You could be right, don't know whether it is an old 'de-ac' plug or a ball and charge. Never having had a sword cane what is the flaxen material used for? Thanks for having a look.
My Regards,
Norman.

rickystl · 27th July 2012, 06:37 PM

Hi Norman. As Gav said: "keep going" !! This does indeed look like tow, especially with the remenants of hard greese. Hmmmm. Assuming for a moment that there is still a ball and powder in the barrel, this tow may have been inserted on TOP of the ball to act as a moisture repellant? while carrying. Just a thought. But yes, please keep us updated. I'm so curious to see if there is indeed a load in the barrel. Thanks again, Rick.

Matchlock · 27th July 2012, 10:14 PM

Hi Norman,

This indeed looks to me like the drilled-out remains of a heavily cup-grease felt wad inserted as a conservative treatment by a curator of some arsenal in the 19th c.
I have often seen these and at least one is preserved in perfect condition in my collection.

How far back of the muzzle did you locate it and was there any sort of load right behind it?
If it was inserted after the gun's active service it should have been set close to the muzzle - as sort of a dust plug.

Best,
m

Atlantia · 27th August 2012, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi,
Attempts to remove whatever is in the bore have so far been unsuccessful but this piece of material, wadding?, and what might be small pieces of hard 'grease' was attached to the screw upon withdrawal. I would appreciate your opinions on it. I will make a tool with a deeper thread and have another go!
Regards,
Norman.

They were firing their Sporrans at us pesky English!

Norman McCormick · 27th August 2012, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlantia

They were firing their Sporrans at us pesky English!

Gene, Gene, Gene, ya dinna reelly think a Son or Daughter of Caledonia would hurl anythin wi coins in it at anybuddy, never mind an ENGLISHMAN

and another thing before ye ask, there is nothing at all worn under the Kilt it's all in perfect working order.

Atlantia · 28th August 2012, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Gene, Gene, Gene, ya dinna reelly think a Son or Daughter of Caledonia would hurl anythin wi coins in it at anybuddy, never mind an ENGLISHMAN

and another thing before ye ask, there is nothing at all worn under the Kilt it's all in perfect working order.

LMAO!!! Brilliant.

Very nice gun BTW! I see now why Alex Salmond wants independance, it's to keep the English from being able to come over the border and steal away all your great buys!

Norman McCormick · 28th August 2012, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlantia

LMAO!!! Brilliant.

Very nice gun BTW! I see now why Alex Salmond wants independance, it's to keep the English from being able to come over the border and steal away all your great buys!

SSSSSHHHH Gene, keep this to yourself. All the great buys I get are from a wee shop in Bannockburn.

fernando · 28th August 2012, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Gene, Gene, Gene, ya dinna reelly think a Son or Daughter of Caledonia would hurl anythin wi coins in it at anybuddy, never mind an ENGLISHMAN.

C'mon young lad; no swearing in this joint

Norman McCormick · 28th August 2012, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

C'mon young lad

Friend for life.

12th July 2012, 03:26 PM	#1
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,618	Hi, I have now received a reply to my enquiry from the Royal Armouries in Leeds. British snaphaunce C1700 based on lock style and barrel, what appears to be London private proofmark on the barrel C1702 although I get the impression that this is probably open to conjecture. Clearly not classically Scottish therefore not necessarily Scottish. The Scottish aspect is obviously not provable either way but I would like to think, based on info already received, the possibility is there. I'm in the process of arranging the removal of what I think is a ball and charge still in the musket with a muzzleloading member of my rifle club and I will post the results. I am delighted to have this piece in my collection regardless of pedigree and I would like to thank you all for your kind words and continued interest. Should any further information come to light I will of course let you know. My Regards, Norman. P.S. A light application of gun oil and 'hey presto' the lock is working just fine sliding pan cover and all. Last edited by Norman McCormick; 12th July 2012 at 04:40 PM.

12th July 2012, 09:43 PM	#3
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,632	Pneumatic un-loader for flintlock. In case you and your associates are interested. Rick. Attached Images

27th July 2012, 02:58 PM	#4
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,618	Hi, Attempts to remove whatever is in the bore have so far been unsuccessful but this piece of material, wadding?, and what might be small pieces of hard 'grease' was attached to the screw upon withdrawal. I would appreciate your opinions on it. I will make a tool with a deeper thread and have another go! Regards, Norman. Attached Images

27th July 2012, 10:14 PM	#8
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Norman, This indeed looks to me like the drilled-out remains of a heavily cup-grease felt wad inserted as a conservative treatment by a curator of some arsenal in the 19th c. I have often seen these and at least one is preserved in perfect condition in my collection. How far back of the muzzle did you locate it and was there any sort of load right behind it? If it was inserted after the gun's active service it should have been set close to the muzzle - as sort of a dust plug. Best, m Last edited by Matchlock; 27th July 2012 at 11:40 PM.

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12th July 2012, 08:35 PM	#2
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,632	Norman: Thanks for the update. Keep us posted. Michael: Don't know how I missed that in the second Post? Thanks, Rick.

27th July 2012, 04:43 PM	#6
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,618	Hi Gav, You could be right, don't know whether it is an old 'de-ac' plug or a ball and charge. Never having had a sword cane what is the flaxen material used for? Thanks for having a look. My Regards, Norman.

27th July 2012, 06:37 PM	#7
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,632	Hi Norman. As Gav said: "keep going" !! This does indeed look like tow, especially with the remenants of hard greese. Hmmmm. Assuming for a moment that there is still a ball and powder in the barrel, this tow may have been inserted on TOP of the ball to act as a moisture repellant? while carrying. Just a thought. But yes, please keep us updated. I'm so curious to see if there is indeed a load in the barrel. Thanks again, Rick.