Wheellock Mechanism

rickystl · 16th August 2011, 06:29 PM

Hello. Attached are photos of an original wheellock - double cock - mechanism I am considering adding to my collection. I'm thinking this is either German or Dutch, possibly late 16th or early 17th century? It appears complete except maybe the return chain after the wheel is wound. Anyone's thoughts on this piece? Michael? Thanks, Rick.

Matchlock · 16th August 2011, 11:18 PM

Hi Rick,

As usually, your guessing was quite close.

This is a North Italian style double dog wheellock mechanism, made in either Italy, or, consequently, in the Italian tradition, in Suhl/Thuringia, or Nuremberg, or Amsterdam in the early 17th c.

It doublessly was designed to be a mililtary musket lock, and there are very few around equipped with a reserve pyyites holder (double dog). The dogs should have extremely strong springs and consequently should be very hard to move!

More on these soon!!!

Thanks for posting, lots of congratulations,
and best as always,

Michael

Fernando K · 17th August 2011, 12:27 AM

Hola Rick

Lo que falta no es la cadena: puede verse claramente en la fotografía número 3: falta el segundo fiador (sear) y el resorte de doble acción que mueve a los dos fiadores (sear).

Los resortes de las pinzas porta piritas (cock) precisan ser poderosos porque la distancia que hay entre el punto donde se aplica la fuerza hasta el centro de giro es mucho menor que la distancia de este último a las mandibulas (jaw). Esto por la leyes de la Fisica.

Fernando K

Hi Rick

What is missing is the chain is clearly visible in the photograph number 3: Missing second sear (sear) and double-action spring that moves to two catches (SEAR).

The springs of the clamps pyrites (cock) need to be powerful because the distance between where the force is applied to the center of rotation is much smaller than the distance from the latter to the jaws (jaw). That the laws of physics.

Fernando K

rickystl · 17th August 2011, 03:28 PM

Michael: Thanks so much for the information. Most helpful. Yes, I agree, the lack of overall decoration would suggest military use. Which, in a way, makes the lock even more interesting. Yes, I'm sure there are very few of these around. Thanks, Rick.

Hi Fernando. Yes, now I see the chain. So, it's missing part of it's secondary sear

Thank you so much for noticing. Hmmmm. Thanks, Rick.

I don't own this Lock yet. I wanted to get both of your opinions before taking the plunge. Of course, it won't come cheap. I'll have to decide sometime this week. It would sure make a nice addition to the lock collection.

Matchlock · 17th August 2011, 06:37 PM

Hi Rick,

Due to the losses that Fernando K. correctly pointed out, I think you shouldn't pay too much.

I attached a Suhl/Thuringia made heavy wheellock musket, ca. 1600, mounted with the same type of Italian style mechanism but the usual sort without a reserve dog for the pyrites.

Please note that wheellocks, differring from what Fernando K. said, have dogs and not cocks because they are not cocked and do not strike sparks!

The other gun illustrated in detail is of Nuremberg but Italian style make, ca. 1590, its single dog mechanism quite similar in shape to 'your' lock.

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 17th August 2011, 07:02 PM

... preserved in the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum, Cody, Wyoming.

Best,
Michael

16th August 2011, 06:29 PM	#1
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,621	Wheellock Mechanism Hello. Attached are photos of an original wheellock - double cock - mechanism I am considering adding to my collection. I'm thinking this is either German or Dutch, possibly late 16th or early 17th century? It appears complete except maybe the return chain after the wheel is wound. Anyone's thoughts on this piece? Michael? Thanks, Rick. Attached Images

17th August 2011, 06:37 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Rick, Due to the losses that Fernando K. correctly pointed out, I think you shouldn't pay too much. I attached a Suhl/Thuringia made heavy wheellock musket, ca. 1600, mounted with the same type of Italian style mechanism but the usual sort without a reserve dog for the pyrites. Please note that wheellocks, differring from what Fernando K. said, have dogs and not cocks because they are not cocked and do not strike sparks! The other gun illustrated in detail is of Nuremberg but Italian style make, ca. 1590, its single dog mechanism quite similar in shape to 'your' lock. Best, Michael Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 17th August 2011 at 07:04 PM.

17th August 2011, 07:02 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A rare double dog Italian military wheellock musket, ca. 1625 ... preserved in the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum, Cody, Wyoming. Best, Michael Attached Images

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16th August 2011, 11:18 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Rick, As usually, your guessing was quite close. This is a North Italian style double dog wheellock mechanism, made in either Italy, or, consequently, in the Italian tradition, in Suhl/Thuringia, or Nuremberg, or Amsterdam in the early 17th c. It doublessly was designed to be a mililtary musket lock, and there are very few around equipped with a reserve pyyites holder (double dog). The dogs should have extremely strong springs and consequently should be very hard to move! More on these soon!!! Thanks for posting, lots of congratulations, and best as always, Michael

17th August 2011, 12:27 AM	#3
Fernando K Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 663	Hola Rick Lo que falta no es la cadena: puede verse claramente en la fotografía número 3: falta el segundo fiador (sear) y el resorte de doble acción que mueve a los dos fiadores (sear). Los resortes de las pinzas porta piritas (cock) precisan ser poderosos porque la distancia que hay entre el punto donde se aplica la fuerza hasta el centro de giro es mucho menor que la distancia de este último a las mandibulas (jaw). Esto por la leyes de la Fisica. Fernando K Hi Rick What is missing is the chain is clearly visible in the photograph number 3: Missing second sear (sear) and double-action spring that moves to two catches (SEAR). The springs of the clamps pyrites (cock) need to be powerful because the distance between where the force is applied to the center of rotation is much smaller than the distance from the latter to the jaws (jaw). That the laws of physics. Fernando K

17th August 2011, 03:28 PM	#4
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,621	Michael: Thanks so much for the information. Most helpful. Yes, I agree, the lack of overall decoration would suggest military use. Which, in a way, makes the lock even more interesting. Yes, I'm sure there are very few of these around. Thanks, Rick. Hi Fernando. Yes, now I see the chain. So, it's missing part of it's secondary sear Thank you so much for noticing. Hmmmm. Thanks, Rick. I don't own this Lock yet. I wanted to get both of your opinions before taking the plunge. Of course, it won't come cheap. I'll have to decide sometime this week. It would sure make a nice addition to the lock collection.