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The matchlocks cover such an interesting period in American history! I saw an old Spanish casket in a small chapel in St Augustine, Florida, (1500's) that had three skulls and crossbones on the upper angled top, and three rows of Latin lettering on the side of the box. I'm considering doing something like that on the angled surfaces of my buttstock on this Spanish styled arquebus I'm building, maybe wood burning it in.
The history just drips off that place and the weapons of that time. One of the cannon barrels at the fort had 'Gloria A Dios' (Glory to God) in bold relief close to the touch hole. The prayer must have worked; the gun never blew up! I also considered putting a hand forged iron ring on the side of the buttstock, and a smaller one up front on the side of the fore end, for a carrying strap (goat hide?). Also I'd like to make a powder horn with the spout on the large end, but need a photo and description of how that was set up. Fuzzy original pictures show a tube extending from the large flat base plug with a cross plug in it, but is it just a wood peg? Loads of fun! Thanks everyone for your input; be well, Geo.
Did you end up building this powder horn?

Related, but has anyone seen a replica of that style of powder horn for sale?
 
Did you end up building this powder horn?

Related, but has anyone seen a replica of that style of powder horn for sale?
Hi Tob. Maybe a horn something like this ?

I wanted a horn and pouch that (in my imagination lol) looked appropriate for my pre-1650 type guns. Something a bit different than the traditional horn shape. So this is what I ended up with: It's sort of a short, fat, stubby horn with the spout in the center and fill plug in the rear. But it has an early 1600's and earlier flavor to it, I think. LOL It has four carrying rings that allows the horn to be carried in either the horizontal or vertical position.
007 (Medium).JPG
008 (Medium).JPG
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009 (Medium).JPG


Rick
 
Hi Tob. Maybe a horn something like this ?

I wanted a horn and pouch that (in my imagination lol) looked appropriate for my pre-1650 type guns. Something a bit different than the traditional horn shape. So this is what I ended up with: It's sort of a short, fat, stubby horn with the spout in the center and fill plug in the rear. But it has an early 1600's and earlier flavor to it, I think. LOL It has four carrying rings that allows the horn to be carried in either the horizontal or vertical position.View attachment 177335View attachment 177336View attachment 177337View attachment 177338

Rick
Rick

That is a beautiful horn, but about 150 years later than what I am currently looking for.

I have finally made headway in my quest for a matchlock and commissioned/put money down on a new build of that Lodgewood MFG arquebus that was posted (not even technically a match"lock" lol). It dates to around 1470s-1500, so I was trying to find something appropriate for that. Examples from Pukka's link to Michael's post:
16.2.2002. Frühestes bekanntes Pulverhorn, _1540-50.  0 kl.jpg
Bandeliere, Pulverhörner, 1525, Pavia.  1 Det.jpg

This is actually the closest to the period, but the detail is not high enough to tell the style.
Dieb.Schilling,BernerChr.1483 - Pulverhorn!!!!  3b.jpg


However, the Bavarian gunsmith I had talked to about building a 30 years war era haken was also planning on building a 1650 Austrian matchlock. Depending on my own and the global financial situation, I was considering purchasing that too. Assuming I have not annoyed him away (the odds are high I have lol) and he is still planning to start those projects next year, I would be interested in a horn like that. Did you build it, or was it a commission? It certainly has that squat look that appear considerably more often in 17th century European powder containers, opposed to the slender 18th/19th century American horns.
 
Hi Tob

I commissioned that horn. Was made by Larry Godkin in Arizona a few years ago. I think the pouch and horn look about right with guns from about the 2nd quarter of the 17th century. Or at least that was my goal. LOL

But I understand what you are saying. Maybe something from the first half of the 16th century ? See my next post. (To bad Michael is no longer with us - but is in spirit).

Rick
002 (Medium).JPG
 
Based on the artists paintings above (look like possibly German Landsknechts): In it's simplest form, possibly a typical round horn with the tapered, pointed end left as-is unused. The large end with a simple plug and a wood spout (any shape) threaded on one end to thread into a female thread in the center of the base plug to make it easy to re-fill with powder. Of course, you could do the same with a flattened horn and position the same type of plain spout at either end of the base plug. Just add a couple carry rings (which are hard to find and often have to be made).

The horn in the photo above from Michael's thread with all the iron (no brass !!!) reinforcement bands and spring-actuated spout looks like a job for Jeff Miller and his forge. LOL

Anyway, just some rambling thoughts.

Rick
 
Rick,

A powder horn for an early Landsknecht or Reisläufer arquebusier is about what I am looking for, so very late 15th century or early 16th century. The piece I commissioned is a serpentine handgonne/arquebus, so late 15th century is the most appropriate, but early 16th has much better artistic sources. Your description of how it should be made sounds right on the money, but I may just have to commission it.

re: Michael
It is incredible that he produced the vast majority of open research and knowledge on almost 200 years of firearms history. An awful loss. Due to the previously alluded to difficulty in buying a proper matchlock, I have been extensively reading through his old threads, researching and brainstorming on building my own snapping matchlock. As a backup or additional project to that, I actually already have an email out to Jeff Miller asking if he is available to build a stand alone matchlock lock.
 
I have been extensively reading through his old threads, researching and brainstorming on building my own snapping matchlock. As a backup or additional project to that, I actually already have an email out to Jeff Miller asking if he is available to build a stand alone matchlock lock.
Snapping Matchlock - Did you see this one by Brian Anderson?

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/early-1500s-snapping-matchlock-carbine.144584/
Locks - IMHO a snapping lock is the simplest to make, and a matchlock not that much more difficult. I could provide pictures and rough dimensional drawings.
 
Snapping Matchlock - Did you see this one by Brian Anderson?

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/early-1500s-snapping-matchlock-carbine.144584/
Locks - IMHO a snapping lock is the simplest to make, and a matchlock not that much more difficult. I could provide pictures and rough dimensional drawings.
I saw that one and it helped originally pique my desire haha. He is retired right?

The simplicity is partially why I am going for the snapping matchlock system. The TRS Hakenbusche kit I built and posted was my first time building something since high school and my next project needs to be buildable in my backyard/driveway. I am trying to figure out how to do it without forging anything.

Dimensions would be extremely helpful and I would greatly appreciate them. Two specific areas I still am trying to dimensionally figure out are the width of the stock and it compared to the barrel, as well as the thickness of the lock plate piece the trigger button spring is attached to. Thanks!
 
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Well boys, this thread has me about going mad to build a few locks for those that want them.
and the iron-clad horns!
I sort of come alive with things like this.

Hopefully farm stuff will taper off, I get this little tractor running. (Bought seized) and Get at Real stuff!

Must say once again how happy I am to see Michael's threads and posts mentioned!
 
Well boys, this thread has me about going mad to build a few locks for those that want them.
and the iron-clad horns!
I sort of come alive with things like this.

Hopefully farm stuff will taper off, I get this little tractor running. (Bought seized) and Get at Real stuff!

Must say once again how happy I am to see Michael's threads and posts mentioned!
If you ever make them to sell, I call dibs on a spot in line lol
 
Rick,

A powder horn for an early Landsknecht or Reisläufer arquebusier is about what I am looking for, so very late 15th century or early 16th century. The piece I commissioned is a serpentine handgonne/arquebus, so late 15th century is the most appropriate, but early 16th has much better artistic sources. Your description of how it should be made sounds right on the money, but I may just have to commission it.

re: Michael
It is incredible that he produced the vast majority of open research and knowledge on almost 200 years of firearms history. An awful loss. Due to the previously alluded to difficulty in buying a proper matchlock, I have been extensively reading through his old threads, researching and brainstorming on building my own snapping matchlock. As a backup or additional project to that, I actually already have an email out to Jeff Miller asking if he is available to build a stand alone matchlock lock.
For a standalone Matchlock lock, try Crescent Moon Armory here in Virginia. Quality work! Crescent Moon Armoury
Jay
 
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