Dutch target arquebuse dated 1630

[Raf]

Its a fascinating thing Marcus but I wouldn’t personally relish the responsibility of deciding what to do with it. Although I sympathise with the desire to see it as a converted snap matchlock this needs thought . Although the stock looks convincingly early I would need to convince myself that this wasn’t a nineteenth century re use of an earlier venerable barrel in which case the percussion lock and stock might be contemporary. The worry is why would anybody go to the trouble of fitting a new percussion lock to a matchlock target gun? Hopefully their is some good evidence that this is not the case.

Since their is no indication of the flash pan being dovetailed into the barrel we have to accept that if it was a matchlock it would be the later style of lock with the flash pan as part of the lock plate following emerging dog lock / flintlock form . I also doubt whether there is sufficient space within the lock rebate to fit an earlier style of matchlock without a lot of new cutting and patching of the woodwork which I think would be unacceptable. A responsible compromise might be to remove the percussion bolster , plug touchhole and make up a new matchlock with a lock profile matching the existing rebate . Basically similar to the reference example you post. The percussion lock can be archived as part of its history and the restoration is potentially reversible. I am at a lost explain what appears to be a detachable extension to the but . The extension itself appears to have been cut down . The reference example you post has the same feature but the extension is much longer and appears to end in a spike. Further research might show the purpose of this.

On the subject of conservation in my experience this degree of woodworm is terminal. Only a paper thin layer of solid wood remains on the surface of the stock and given the weight of the barrel any rough handling could cause the stock to break. Soaking in cellulose wood hardener can help but it won’t add much to restoring the integrity of the wood. I think I would want to consult with a museum conservation specialist to see if their were any better modern solutions.

[Raf]

Might the area inside the line on this detail be a later patch ? This might indicate the approximate shape of the original lock which would justify the matchlock re conversion.

[Marcus den toom]

Originally Posted by Raf

Might the area inside the line on this detail be a later patch ? This might indicate the approximate shape of the original lock which would justify the matchlock re conversion.

Very astute observation and thank you for pitching in. Indeed this piece of wood has been added later into what appears to be a rectangular shape. Attached two pictures from the inside were the same line can be seen. The only odd thing is that the cut seems to go up all the way towards the tang of the barrel. This piece is now obscured by a thin sheet of brass.
As to the age of the stock it is good to keep all options open. The shape of the stock does correspond with the few examples i know of from other Dutch target guns from the early to mid 17th century. It is quite an odd ball for any other later musket.

The other gun i posted does have a metal bar at the butstock, for whatever reason (see picture). Why these stocks are made in two parts eludes me as well sofar

Luckily the worm damage has only affected a small portion of the butstock and the resting slate of wood on the "foot" of the stock. Other than that the wood is structurally sound. There is one crack at the counter lock plate were there is evidence of older holes for lock fastening bolts as well as the new holes for the percussion lock. For safety reasons i have treated those parts with profesional wood worm killer (used for antique wood).

[Raf]

Thats all good news. Out of curiosity what is the drilling in the barrel to the right of the percussion bolster? I was wondering if the detachable stock extension had something to do with accommodating different styles of shooting. Either with the extension resting on the shoulder like a tiller or without the extension shooting from the bench rest.

[Raf]

An obvious parallel is the Dutch bench rest target crossbow. Note the set triggers and maybe an idea for the form of the trigger guard.

[Marcus den toom]

Originally Posted by Raf

Thats all good news. Out of curiosity what is the drilling in the barrel to the right of the percussion bolster? I was wondering if the detachable stock extension had something to do with accommodating different styles of shooting. Either with the extension resting on the shoulder like a tiller or without the extension shooting from the bench rest.

Attached a picture of this hole. It is hard to see but i think there is a screw thread inside. It is not punctured all the way trough the bore either. I think it might have been a fastening point for the original lock.

You make a good point about the stock. I own a air rifle which can be modded to all sorts of uses. The barrel and action are all one piece but the rest can be altered. The same could be true for this target gun. Rather ingenious, thank you for that

Exactly, do you know if that style with a bench rwst was also employed in other countries? Trigger guard is a nice starting point too

[Marcus den toom]

Long barrel of square section ornamented with ribs and flutes towards the breech then round with widely spaced flutes the flared muzzle being octagonal. Wide Vee backsight. A nearly obliterated mark possibly that of Antwerp is stamped near the breech. Lock of similar type to that of No.XII.18 but with brass lockplate and match-holder. Pan-cover and scear missing.

Stock with butt of 'bellied' form; the projecting grip for the left hand is carved with an eight petalled flower. No ramrod is fitted, a false rod being simulated on the fore-end by carving. Indented steel trigger-guard. Double-lever hair-trigger

Dimensions:
Barre lLength 1283 mm
Calibre .60 in
Place: Flanders, Antwerp
Date: about 1680
Location: Study Collection
Object number:XII.20
Provenance: Old Tower Collection
https://royalarmouries.org/collection/object/object-218

[Marcus den toom]

Of similar type to No. XII.18 and 20 but differing in detail and of later date. Barrel of square section at the breech altering to octagonal. Wide, flat backsight pierced with a large aperture and originally fitted with a pivoted plate drilled with a smaller aperture for optional use. The pan retains it's pivoted cover.

Lock with mechanism similar to that fitted to No. XII.16, the lock-plate however being of flintlock shape. It is engraved with the name of the maker E.G. Siaens.

Stock, the butt with cheekpiece on both sides, the large hand-grip carved with rococo scrollwork and foliage in high relief. Brass mounts, the trigger-guard indented for the fingers. Double-lever hair-trigger. Ramrod missing.

Dimensions:
Barrel Length 1067 mm
Overall Length 1502 mm
Calibre: .56 in (26 bore)
https://royalarmouries.org/collection/object/object-219