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Old 30th September 2018, 09:20 PM   #1
rickystl
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Thank you all for your comments. As Stu mentions, the butt stock style is typical of matchlocks from the Coorg area of South India. As well, to me, the decoration also looks South Indian.
The flintlock is in fact a genuine EIC lock, with this style generally used for trade, The prancing lion will be more visible after cleaning. Notice the extra tapered frizzen that was popular in the South similar to their pistols. The lock works perfectly. Just needs cleaning and the missing mainspring screw replaced (I have an original).
Once the hammer of the flintlock is at half-cock and out of the way, the serpentine for the match piviots to the right and aligns it over the pan in a normal position. Very clever. And notice how the trigger for the flintlock is off set to the right to allow movement of the serpentine. All a bit complicated, but it works.
The barrel still retains it's gold inlay. The rear and front sights are done in more of a Ottoman/Persian style. But the muzzle style and damascus are done in typical Indian. The vent hole looks like it was burned out from usage and welded and re-drilled sometime back in the period. I've seen this before.
So overall, it just needs 2/3 small repairs, a bit of cleaning, and the missing glass stones replaced.
This gun is a good example to show how even well into the flintlock period the Indian Continent was still not willing to discard their matchlocks.

Rick
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Old 30th September 2018, 09:22 PM   #2
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A COUPLE MORE PICS.......ONE SHOWING THE OPEN LOCK MORTICE....
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Old 30th September 2018, 10:33 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rickystl
A COUPLE MORE PICS.......ONE SHOWING THE OPEN LOCK MORTICE....
Hi Rick,
Any idea as to the reason for the hole thru the match cock? I have not seen this on matchlocks before.
Stu
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Old 12th October 2018, 04:05 PM   #4
rickystl
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Originally Posted by kahnjar1
Hi Rick,
Any idea as to the reason for the hole thru the match cock? I have not seen this on matchlocks before.
Stu
Hi Stu

You noticed that too. I have thought about that, but don't have any idea. When I get to the cleaning and repairs I'll look at things more closely and see if I can figure it out. The hole was obviously intentionally made for some purpose.

Rick
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Old 13th October 2018, 01:25 AM   #5
kahnjar1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rickystl
Hi Stu

You noticed that too. I have thought about that, but don't have any idea. When I get to the cleaning and repairs I'll look at things more closely and see if I can figure it out. The hole was obviously intentionally made for some purpose.

Rick
I had thought it might be to retain the match cord by threading it thru, but not sure if the diam of the hole is sufficient.
Stu
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Old 20th October 2018, 07:41 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kahnjar1
Hi Rick,
Any idea as to the reason for the hole thru the match cock? I have not seen this on matchlocks before.
Stu
I wonder if the hole is a provision for a rudimentary safety -- will a transverse pin effectively block the serpentine from fully descending towards the pan? Come to think of it, the touchhole pricker on its chain might serve the purpose rather well. Perhaps the gun's owner thought that since the flintlock has a half-cock detent to lock the trigger, he might as well have something to take care of the serpentine as well. Just a thought... What do you guys think?
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Old 16th November 2018, 03:41 PM   #7
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Hi Philip and Stu

I didn't realize there was an additional post on this Thread.

After further thought, I believe the small hole had some type of pin device that was inserted to keep the serpentine arm positioned in a right-ward position so as to align the matchcord with the center of the pan while in use. What the device would look like I have no idea.

Speaking of vent picks.....I have 4/5 original Torador style vent picks in my collection. So I think I'll use one to suspend on this gun, making the lock area even more crowded. LOL

After a couple minor repairs and cleaning, and replacing the missing stones, this should turn out nice. Glad I found this one.

Rick
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