Miguelete

[celtan]

Thanks for the kind words, Jim.

There were several kinds of locks in use in Europe in the 18-19th C. :The French "A la mode", the similar British Lock, the Snaphaunce, and the Spanish Miguelete (aka A La Madrid, A la Romana, and A la Espanola) were the most common.

The Miguelete lock differs mostly in its use of a strong external spring. If you look at its outside, you'll see a long shear spring, when others have two apparent. This lock was extremely strong and reliable, it was said that you could get sparks even without a flint. Of course, it's an exaggeration, but you get the idea...

The Miguelete was used by both civilians and the military, and survived well into the mid 19th C., also being used in percussion guns. Both french and spanish type locks were used in Spain, sometimes concurrently.

I'm currently using a reproduction of a Spanish M1782-91 fusil for reenacting purposes, and It sports a miguelete lock. The truth is that while my friends Charlevilles and Besses often misfire, mine never has...

Best

M

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Beautiful photography and a magnificent piece! To me there is nothing like such perfect patination and nice shots of the crisp markings.
Thank you Manuel Luis!

My knowledge on firearms is pretty limited, and I have often been intrigued by the term 'miguelet' as opposed to flintlock. Is there a short version of how the two differ? References I have seen note the term arose during the war in the Peninsula with British troops referring to the style of musket/fusil used by the militia (=miguelet) there.