Breech loading 1450-1550

Pukka Bundook · 22nd November 2008, 02:05 PM

Michael,

The piece by Christof Arnold shows Solomon was quite right............" There is nothing new, under the sun..."

It seems this very modern action was used with very little alteration (except putting hinge on other side) by Jacob Snider, to convert muzzleloading P '53 Enfields to breech-loading in 1860's.
Does pushing back on the tunnel sight withdraw a bolt which passes forward into the breech-block?

For some time, I've wanted to make a wheellock mechanism, and a self-spanning one would be very interesting!

Re. the snap tinder lock;
What was the tinder made from?
I know hemp was used when attainable as slow-match, but do not recall hearing what "tinder" was used in the snap-lock.

The pistol you show above, is one of the very best I have ever seen, and the file-work is beautifully executed! a very crisp and stunning example.
On this arm, I can clearly see the bolt which engages the breech-block.

Re. the flint-lock,
What a headache it must have been! ...making each cartridge with exactly the same geometry so each frizzen would spark well! It was a long way ahead of it's time!!

Thank you again for the marvelous pics!!

Richard.

Matchlock · 22nd November 2008, 06:10 PM

Richard,

Tinder was made of fungus growing on the trunks of trees. It was dried, soaked in salpeter and cut in rectangular, rather short pieces, each meant to be used for one shot only. This piece of tinder was put in the small head of the matchholder; with 15th to mid-16th century guns, the heads of their matchholders were actually too tiny to receive the rather thick matchcord.

The tinder was lit by means of a piece of glowing coal or smoldering match.

If I may direct you to

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7077

you will see a piece of tinder in the head of the matchholder of an early 15th century gun.

I have to say that exchanging opinions with you is much fun, thank you for keeping me going.

Michael

Matchlock · 22nd November 2008, 06:58 PM

Richard,

Here are some historical early 15th (the b/w one dated 1411) and early 16th century illustrations showing the use of pieces of tinder in snap locks - and sometimes the thick matchcord employed to light them.

I posted some these before in my thread on the Battle of Pavia, 1525.

In some of the illustrations you can clearly see that the matchholders' heads are way too small to take the thick matchcord wrapped around either the guns or the harquebusiers' arms.

Michael

Matchlock · 22nd November 2008, 07:02 PM

More.

Matchlock · 22nd November 2008, 07:03 PM

One more.

Michael

Matchlock · 22nd November 2008, 07:26 PM

This might also be helpful:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7078

Pukka Bundook · 24th November 2008, 02:07 PM

Michael,

Thank you for the information re. tinder.
It seems it's the same fungus I use to make tinder for fire-lighting, but treated in a different manner. (When charred, it catches and holds a spark very well.)
The soaking in saltpetre would make it much less brittle, ...must try some!

The pictures you have posted show the small pieces of tinder very well, as well as the rope - sized matchcord!

Thank you for these pictures Michael.

Richard.

22nd November 2008, 02:05 PM	#1
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Michael, The piece by Christof Arnold shows Solomon was quite right............" There is nothing new, under the sun..." It seems this very modern action was used with very little alteration (except putting hinge on other side) by Jacob Snider, to convert muzzleloading P '53 Enfields to breech-loading in 1860's. Does pushing back on the tunnel sight withdraw a bolt which passes forward into the breech-block? For some time, I've wanted to make a wheellock mechanism, and a self-spanning one would be very interesting! Re. the snap tinder lock; What was the tinder made from? I know hemp was used when attainable as slow-match, but do not recall hearing what "tinder" was used in the snap-lock. The pistol you show above, is one of the very best I have ever seen, and the file-work is beautifully executed! a very crisp and stunning example. On this arm, I can clearly see the bolt which engages the breech-block. Re. the flint-lock, What a headache it must have been! ...making each cartridge with exactly the same geometry so each frizzen would spark well! It was a long way ahead of it's time!! Thank you again for the marvelous pics!! Richard. Last edited by Pukka Bundook; 22nd November 2008 at 02:22 PM.

22nd November 2008, 06:58 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Snap tinder locks Richard, Here are some historical early 15th (the b/w one dated 1411) and early 16th century illustrations showing the use of pieces of tinder in snap locks - and sometimes the thick matchcord employed to light them. I posted some these before in my thread on the Battle of Pavia, 1525. In some of the illustrations you can clearly see that the matchholders' heads are way too small to take the thick matchcord wrapped around either the guns or the harquebusiers' arms. Michael Attached Images

22nd November 2008, 07:02 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	More. Attached Images

22nd November 2008, 07:03 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	One more. Michael Attached Images

22nd November 2008, 06:10 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Richard, Tinder was made of fungus growing on the trunks of trees. It was dried, soaked in salpeter and cut in rectangular, rather short pieces, each meant to be used for one shot only. This piece of tinder was put in the small head of the matchholder; with 15th to mid-16th century guns, the heads of their matchholders were actually too tiny to receive the rather thick matchcord. The tinder was lit by means of a piece of glowing coal or smoldering match. If I may direct you to http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7077 you will see a piece of tinder in the head of the matchholder of an early 15th century gun. I have to say that exchanging opinions with you is much fun, thank you for keeping me going. Michael

22nd November 2008, 07:26 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	This might also be helpful: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7078

24th November 2008, 02:07 PM	#7
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Michael, Thank you for the information re. tinder. It seems it's the same fungus I use to make tinder for fire-lighting, but treated in a different manner. (When charred, it catches and holds a spark very well.) The soaking in saltpetre would make it much less brittle, ...must try some! The pictures you have posted show the small pieces of tinder very well, as well as the rope - sized matchcord! Thank you for these pictures Michael. Richard.