Portuguese Matchlock?

fernando · 15th October 2009, 07:15 PM

Hi, Bluelake welcome to the forum,
While members with more expertize don't show up, let me try and give a little empyrical aproach to the subject.
The so called Portuguese matchlock introduced in Japan, derives from the Bohemian Schnapp-Lunte, brought to Portugal and later taken to the Goa arsenals where it was subject to a local fusion, by influence of Portuguese Vice-Roys. It was from here, namely from the 'house of ten thousand muskets' that these weapons were spread to all Asia, including their introduction in Japan.
It is this system evolution that achieved the current name of Indo-Portuguese matchlock.
I guess it is not easy to find originals of these weapons; i have read that the Japanese officials have tried hard, and all they could find was some late versions.
If you care for some sketches, allusive designs, replicas and the like, i can post some material in this thread.
Fernando

fernando · 15th October 2009, 08:45 PM

Are these useful ?

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fernando · 15th October 2009, 08:46 PM

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bluelake · 16th October 2009, 01:04 AM

Thanks, everyone! The information is excellent. The drawings and pictures are very much appreciated.

Does anyone have any idea what kind of improvements would have come to Korea with Dutch matchlocks in the mid-17th century?

By the way, this past summer, while visiting my folks in the States, I spent a lot of my time shooting a Korean/Japanese reproduction matchlock I had a gunsmith craft for me. It was quite an experience in itself, as it helped me to understand that type of matchlock better.

15th October 2009, 08:45 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Are these useful ? . Attached Images

15th October 2009, 08:46 PM	#3
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	. Attached Images

16th October 2009, 01:04 AM	#4
bluelake Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Gyeongsan, South Korea Posts: 57	Thanks, everyone! The information is excellent. The drawings and pictures are very much appreciated. Does anyone have any idea what kind of improvements would have come to Korea with Dutch matchlocks in the mid-17th century? By the way, this past summer, while visiting my folks in the States, I spent a lot of my time shooting a Korean/Japanese reproduction matchlock I had a gunsmith craft for me. It was quite an experience in itself, as it helped me to understand that type of matchlock better. Attached Images

15th October 2009, 07:15 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Hi, Bluelake welcome to the forum, While members with more expertize don't show up, let me try and give a little empyrical aproach to the subject. The so called Portuguese matchlock introduced in Japan, derives from the Bohemian Schnapp-Lunte, brought to Portugal and later taken to the Goa arsenals where it was subject to a local fusion, by influence of Portuguese Vice-Roys. It was from here, namely from the 'house of ten thousand muskets' that these weapons were spread to all Asia, including their introduction in Japan. It is this system evolution that achieved the current name of Indo-Portuguese matchlock. I guess it is not easy to find originals of these weapons; i have read that the Japanese officials have tried hard, and all they could find was some late versions. If you care for some sketches, allusive designs, replicas and the like, i can post some material in this thread. Fernando