A Good and Rare Austrian Combined Wheellock and Matchlock Musket, ca. 1665-70

Matchlock · 14th July 2011, 07:16 PM

This is basically the same type, made just a few years later, which is denoted by the less belly shaped buttstock which already resembles that of today's English shotguns.

It is recorded as the Austrian infantry musket model M 1686, referring to the year it was acknowlegded as a standard model and built in Suhl for at least 10 years.

This specimen illustrated in b/w only is preserved in the Hapsburg Army Museum (Heeresgeschichtliches Museum), Vienna.

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 22nd August 2011, 06:23 PM

Another musket of the very same type but heavily cleaned and the stock inaptly leached and polished, sold Galerie Fischer, Lucerne, in September 2010.

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 15th March 2012, 10:24 PM

Another piece from the same series, misdated as 'ca. 1630', but actually ca. 1670, sold in a German auction.
Heavily cleaned overall, the wood roobbed of all its original varnish and inappropriately polished like that of a sporting gun.

The Suhl control and dealer's marks clearly visible, the deeply struck mark on the right flat of the octagonal barrel section is that of the barrel smith.

m

Matchlock · 15th March 2012, 10:34 PM

Another musket from the same series, preserved in the Army Museum Dresden and combined with a contemporary military plug bayonet. The upper ramrod pipe is missing.

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 16th March 2012, 01:06 PM

I bought those in April 1988 and took the photos in August 1990.
Both bear the same Suhl maker's and control barrel marks and are almost one of a kind, apart from some minor differences due to workmanship.
Mine is the one with the pyrite in the dog jaws. I still know where its companion is today.

Those combined mechanism muskets represented 'high tech' 350 years ago and played a decisive role on the Habsburg side in the late Turks Wars and the siege of Vienna in 1683.

The lower six close-ups in the second post, of the barrel marks (on the left flat the Suhl hen with the letter S, in the center the marker's mark initialed 'SI' over a flower, and on the right the SVL stamp, the first and latter both acting as Suhl proof control marks), of the lock area (before I had found a piece of pyrites) and of the interior views of the lock mechanism, are from my musket.

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 16th March 2012, 01:09 PM

The remaining photos.

m

fernando · 16th March 2012, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matchlock

... I still know where its companion is today. ...

Ah, this high tech stuff; who in hell would be interested in having those ?

You can tell the owner of that twin specimen to send it over; being such a nice guy, i am willing to find a space in my flat to keep it; maybe even get a stand to display it ... in the middle of my living room

Don't worry about the missing pyrites; i have a few spare

.

Matchlock · 16th March 2012, 05:00 PM

Hi 'Nando,

I'm afriad he won't deaccession it ...

Anyhow, here is another piece in a private collection.

Best,
Michl

14th July 2011, 07:16 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	This is basically the same type, made just a few years later, which is denoted by the less belly shaped buttstock which already resembles that of today's English shotguns. It is recorded as the Austrian infantry musket model M 1686, referring to the year it was acknowlegded as a standard model and built in Suhl for at least 10 years. This specimen illustrated in b/w only is preserved in the Hapsburg Army Museum (Heeresgeschichtliches Museum), Vienna. Best, Michael Attached Images

22nd August 2011, 06:23 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Another musket of the very same type but heavily cleaned and the stock inaptly leached and polished, sold Galerie Fischer, Lucerne, in September 2010. Best, Michael Attached Images

15th March 2012, 10:24 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Another piece from the same series, misdated as 'ca. 1630', but actually ca. 1670, sold in a German auction. Heavily cleaned overall, the wood roobbed of all its original varnish and inappropriately polished like that of a sporting gun. The Suhl control and dealer's marks clearly visible, the deeply struck mark on the right flat of the octagonal barrel section is that of the barrel smith. m Attached Images

15th March 2012, 10:34 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Another musket from the same series, preserved in the Army Museum Dresden and combined with a contemporary military plug bayonet. The upper ramrod pipe is missing. Best, Michael Attached Images

16th March 2012, 01:06 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	More of My Musket - and of a Companion I bought those in April 1988 and took the photos in August 1990. Both bear the same Suhl maker's and control barrel marks and are almost one of a kind, apart from some minor differences due to workmanship. Mine is the one with the pyrite in the dog jaws. I still know where its companion is today. Those combined mechanism muskets represented 'high tech' 350 years ago and played a decisive role on the Habsburg side in the late Turks Wars and the siege of Vienna in 1683. The lower six close-ups in the second post, of the barrel marks (on the left flat the Suhl hen with the letter S, in the center the marker's mark initialed 'SI' over a flower, and on the right the SVL stamp, the first and latter both acting as Suhl proof control marks), of the lock area (before I had found a piece of pyrites) and of the interior views of the lock mechanism, are from my musket. Best, Michael Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 16th March 2012 at 04:30 PM.

16th March 2012, 01:09 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	The remaining photos. m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 16th March 2012 at 02:01 PM.

16th March 2012, 05:00 PM	#8
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi 'Nando, I'm afriad he won't deaccession it ... Anyhow, here is another piece in a private collection. Best, Michl Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 17th March 2012 at 01:25 PM.