Curious Matchlock

Hi Guys.

Now here's a real curiosity. Judging by the wood, someone built this matchlock sometime during the late 20th Century. The seller didn't really know what he had and so advertised the gun as "A replica Jazail Type Matchlock with an Old Barrel". Well, it's certainly that. :haha: The trigger/serpentine all work just fine. However, the gun was built - using an original Omani matchlock barrel called Abu Fathilah, meaning Father of the Match. Experts date these fluted barrels to the 17th Century, handed down fromfather to son, and probably re-stocked as time went on. (the non-fluted barrels date to the 18th Century, but are still attractive). If you Google Omani Matchlock you will see what the correct gun looks like.
But I bought this gun very cheap, and it was well worth it just to get the barrel. The barrel is in nice condition with no external corrosion. Just a nice smooth dark patina it's entire length. It's 46" long and .55 caliber at the muzzle end. Down the road I may have a gun build around the barrel more accurately representing an original gun. But if not, I'm happy to just add the barrel to my collection.

Anyway, there is a blockage in the bore starting about 3" from the back of the breech. (A load ? :shocked2: ) ?? It feels like some type of semi-hard cloth (?) The patch puller will grip it when turning, but it won't seem to budge. Hmmmm. :hmm:
If there is a ball in there, it would have to be behind this material. Should I try soaking ? Or what would you guys suggest ? Thanks for any help. Here are some pics as I received it. Seems that someone put enough effort into it to make a shooter as the trigger/serpentine action is very smooth and accurate.

Rick



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Well it’s a beauty!! Love the muzzle.

Sling swivels? What were they thinking?

The barrel is a real beauty though! Those barrel bands ... originals or someone’s idea of what would work?

Lastly, if a shooter, would you sleeve it?

ricky said:

Hi Guys.

Anyway, there is a blockage in the bore starting about 3" from the back of the breech. (A load ? :shocked2: ) ?? It feels like some type of semi-hard cloth (?) The patch puller will grip it when turning, but it won't seem to budge. Hmmmm. :hmm:
If there is a ball in there, it would have to be behind this material. Should I try soaking ? Or what would you guys suggest ?

Click to expand...

X-ray it

Nice buy :thumbsup:


William

Although tempting, no I would not sleeve this barrel. The fluted barrels are very desired as collector pieces. The rest of the gun, including the bands, is just a variety of hand made parts from someone's imagination.

I ran a wire in the vent hole and their is definate evidence of black powder. But that stubborn wad/piece of material doesn't want to budge. While twisting, the patch puller will get a grip on it. But it won't move. Hmmm. Maybe some boiling hot water or penetrating oil will soften it enough to remove it ? What do you guys think ?

Rick

The boiling water and oil might be a solution...not knowing what it actually is but certainly wouldn't hurt. You mentioned a patch puller but how about using a ball screw on it to get a better purchase. Even if it doesn't take , it should roughen up the contact point enough, hopefully, that the puller may get a better bite on it.

As for the sling swivels, I'm going with the

Camel Posse of Harem Guards, Chief Eunuch's Squadron!

Hi Wes.

Tried the ball puller also. Same non-result. Think I'll try some penetrating oil and let it soak for a couple days. That may soften it up.

Barrel Bands: LOL !!!!

Rick

Yeah, that may be the only option now. Several have used the grease gun through the touch hole or nipple to push a load out under pressure. Haven't tried it myself so far. Been lucky so far in being able to pull charges with normal means. Must be cause I'm such a sweetheart! :wink: :rotf:

I think rather than trying a pure oil that won't dissolve black powder, I might try using a mix of Ballistol and water.

It should penetrate whatever non-metalic thing and the oil in it should lubricate things possibly loosening it up.

Another thing that might be worth a try is pouring some Evapo-rust, letting it soak a day or so and then trying to remove the obstruction.

Following the Evapo-rust with a Ballistol & water solution might be advisable too.

(The Evapo-rust won't attack the steel or iron but it might remove any protective oil that might be in the bore.)

Hi Zonie.

Thanks for the great ideas.
After further investigation with a piece of wire back and forth in the vent hole, there does not seem to be a load. Just a thin film of powder residue. A light down the bore didn't help much either. But I can feel the other end of the material.
But I can tell it's some type of hardened cloth ball or similar. The patch puller easily gets a grip on it when twisted. But then the puller just seperates itself from the wad when pulling back.

But I'm sure I'll be able to get it out. Just need to soak that hard ball of cloth as per above for a couple days to soften the material.

Thanks again for the responses.

Rick

Do you have one of those patch pullers that is just a spiral of wire that can attach to any wood rod? I bet that could get it out!

And I will send you one if you want it ...

Hi Flint.

Yes, I have one of those patch pullers you describe. But thanks for the offer. I've been out of town. It's been soaking for about 5 days now. I'll try it agin this weekend. I think just softening the material will work. Sure curious what I find. LOL

Rick

Finding stuff in old guns can be an experience. Usually damage it too badly to save but once bought an old M.1809/39 percussion Potsdam musket. When I disassembled it the first time there was a folded 1898 stamp under the side plate. Never figured out why since it wasn't needed to stabilize it in any way! Curiouser and curiouser! :wink: :haha:

Hello all.

Well, the bore is now clear. Used boiling hot water.
What ever was down there seems to have melted (?) LOL
A dry patch came out with the usual black/rust color, but also a grayish clay color. Hmmmm. Real nasty looking LOL.
I also discovered something else. I ran a smaller diameter rod (than I was originally using) down the bore and it would reach the end of the breach. Then I remembered a collector friend mentioned that I would likely find the breach slightly more narrow than the nominal bore size in these 17th Century Omani barrels. Sure enough, that seems to be the case. That was adding to my confusion. LOL The bore is about .55 caliber. I've been using a .50 bore brush. But - a too loose .45 caliber brush is a perfect snug fit the last 3 inches of the breech end.
I've seen India Torador matchlock barrels designed this way. And others that narrow about 1.5" from the breech and open up into a larger chamber.
Anyway, the bore is now clear and will just take a bunch more cleaning. Thanks for all the tips - and hand holding. LOL

Rick

Our pleasure. Great to think one day it might even go BOOM...even if lightly. Now you got to assemble the proper togs so you can do your Eunuch's Squadron impression! :shocked2: :rotf:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/47/2b/d0/472bd0008f4c883c8b4dd80765125d03.jpg

:rotf: :rotf: :rotf:

Wes: That photo is great !!!! :haha: I'm saving it to show others I know.

I'm still cleaning the bore. Better order some more cleaning patches from TOTW. LOL But so far, I don't see any heavy corrosion. Just the typical red rust/dirt combination. These barrels were made in three sections and forge welded together. The breech plug is also forge welded in place. Once cleaned and honed, it could probably be fired. Have to study it further. The breech walls are very thick. Imagine how long it took to make all those flutes. For now, I'll just finish cleaning and oiling and set it aside. Too many other gun projects going on at the moment. :haha:

But thanks again for everyones input.

Rick