How far should I restore?

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by Fourfirs

I have an Omani Abu Fathilah matchlock, missing the actual serpentine but otherwise intact. It has been hanging in a very damp room for many years, and is very rusty.

How hard should I clean it? Back to 'shiny metal' or would this remove any patina?

Were these weapons blued? Mine looks as though it may have been, but I dont want to blue it if it should not be.

Can anyone send em a picture of the serpentine? I'm thinking of getting one fabricated but don't know what it should look like. The barrel is 1M 15 cm long, with a bore of around 12mm. I've seen other threads mention the presence of blockages (old loads?) in the breach - mine has one too, possibly still loaded?

In the under barrel groove (for the ramrod) I found 3 date stones wrapped in old material. Do these have any symbolism?

Any help welcomed!

Thanks!

Thanks for the pics. They give an entirely different meaning to the words "otherwise intact". Looks to me as if you have a major job on your hands. When the job is complete, it would be great if you could please post some pics of the finished gun.
Stu

[Fourfirs]

Thanks Richard G, interesting link; it took me awhile to figure these things out too.

And, Stu, you are right to question the validity of my 'otherwise intact' statement!!! I know it looks like a "bag of bits" right now but it should go back together again! (I hope...)

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Try this http://omanisilver.com/contents/en-u...Matchlock.html

[rickystl]

Hi Fourfirs

Is just the serpentine itself missing ? Or is the trigger/spring portion also missing ?

Rick

[Fourfirs]

Thanks Ibrahiim, my gun is just like the one restored in the article.

Rick, my gun is missing the entire assembly, trigger and serpentine. I used to think that this was just a curved piece of metal, but it sounds as though it's more complex than this. Anyone got a diagram?

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by Fourfirs

Thanks Ibrahiim, my gun is just like the one restored in the article.

Rick, my gun is missing the entire assembly, trigger and serpentine. I used to think that this was just a curved piece of metal, but it sounds as though it's more complex than this. Anyone got a diagram?

Somewhere on the Forum I seem to remember seeing a drawing of how it looks, but cannot find it now. I am sure though that Rick will have an example in his "spares" collection which he could post here.
Stu
Google gave me this which shows how the linkage works. It is from a much earlier gun than yours where the serpentine strikes backwards, but you will be able to fabricate one to suit using this as a guide.
Stu

[Fourfirs]

Thanks Stu, I'm hoping to re-assemble the gun next week, I've de-rusted the barrel and now need to glue & clamp the bits of stock.