A short balkan musket

David R · 29th May 2021, 02:03 PM

Lots of reasons for flint and even matchlocks to continue in use. Ease of supply is one reason certainly, but problems with storage is another. Matchlocks continued in use in South America til quite recently because the humidity corroded cartridges into uselessness.
Political reasons also apply. Most Imperial governments preferred the locals to be denied modern weapons. A current example I have heard of is that native Tibetans are allowed Matchlocks but not modern guns by the Chinese government Matchlocks are adequate for hunting but are not considered a threat to the local government forces.

29th May 2021, 02:03 PM	#31
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,052	Lots of reasons for flint and even matchlocks to continue in use. Ease of supply is one reason certainly, but problems with storage is another. Matchlocks continued in use in South America til quite recently because the humidity corroded cartridges into uselessness. Political reasons also apply. Most Imperial governments preferred the locals to be denied modern weapons. A current example I have heard of is that native Tibetans are allowed Matchlocks but not modern guns by the Chinese government Matchlocks are adequate for hunting but are not considered a threat to the local government forces.