Hunting rifle from Finland

[Philip]

Originally Posted by Will M

I've never seen one of these, interesting way of holding it and not the usual shoulder hold. About 31 calibre sufficient for deer at close range, I've killed deer with buckshot of smaller diameter with only one hitting a vital spot.
The lock too is quite interesting in its simplicity.

The stock designed to rest against the cheek, not shoulder. Just like on German wheellocks, and most Far Eastern / Malay matchlocks.

The polygonal rifling is useful in a smaller bore like this. Considering the tendency for black powder combustion to foul a bore, cleaning should be a bit easier than with land-and-groove rifling which on early muzzle-loaders tends to be fairly deep and feature anywhere from 5 to 7 grooves.

[Pukka Bundook]

Philip,

Although this lock has the same horizontal sear as the locks you mention, I have never (in my sheltered life!) seen one so simply constructed!
Even on the earliest locks, like snapping tinderlocks, the sear has always been mounted using a pivot pin.
This one is really New to me.

[Philip]

Originally Posted by Pukka Bundook

Philip,


Even on the earliest locks, like snapping tinderlocks, the sear has always been mounted using a pivot pin.
This one is really New to me.

Here is an example of a very early (for a Spanish patilla-style miquelet), ca 1630, made in Brescia, Italy. It has both half- and full-cock sears but getting back to your comment, note that it is designed to work without needing a pivot pin. A stabilizing bracket on the lockplate is still necessary, though -- this is eliminated in the Finnish design.

[Pukka Bundook]

Thank you for the photos, Philip.
Not seen that type either. It Is a simple design, and probably as good as the pinned type. As you say though, the Finnish model takes this design a step further. It is quite brilliant really.

[daggpil]

Here is the inside of the patch box.

[Raf]

Originally Posted by Pukka Bundook

Philip,

Although this lock has the same horizontal sear as the locks you mention, I have never (in my sheltered life!) seen one so simply constructed!
Even on the earliest locks, like snapping tinderlocks, the sear has always been mounted using a pivot pin.
This one is really New to me.

Just for the record here is another percussion lock with the same archaic sear mechanism.

[Pukka Bundook]

Raf,

Thank you for these photos!
a few days ago I'd never seen one, now I've seen two with this simple sear !


Can you tell me where this lock is from?

Best,
Richard.

[Raf]

Sorry no idea. Just stumbled across it on the Net while researching snaplocks. Something about the shape of the cock makes me think Malasia

[Pukka Bundook]

Thank you for the reply, Raf.
Yes, possibly Malasia.

It also reminds me of the snaplock serpent, seen on some of Tipu Sultan's guns.

[Philip]

Originally Posted by Raf

Something about the shape of the cock makes me think Malasia

Yes, the profile of the serpentine is reminiscent but the lockplate outline is not. The lockplate on the example you posted has a profile somewhat like a European flintlock of the 17th cent. onward. The materials are also different, here it is iron whereas virtually all Malay Archipelago snapping matchlocks are entirely of brass (like their Japanese and Korean counterparts) down to the mainspring, and not to mention having more decoration.