A Wheellock for me- resources please

[cornstalk]

I don't know why I did it but I bought a French Wheellock. Should have it in my hands in the next two weeks. Not like I need to go down an entirely different rabbit hole but....

So I know absolutely nothing about wheellocks other than a YouTube video I watched explaining how they work. So folks I need your help regarding sources for what I'll need. To start I'll need a spanner.

Here is one of the pictures from the auction website. Once it's in my hands I'll post more. Thanks in advance for your assistance. I'm excited.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

There's a few great posts on here recently about pyrite! I only prime inside of the wheel next to the barrel and CAREFULLY so no prime drops below/behind the wheel.

PM me your address and I'll send you a spanner. If you can use it, send me back $20. If not, send it back ... postage shouldn't be but $4. Might be worth the gamble ...

Beautiful piece!

 

[cornstalk]

@Flint62Smoothie thank you so much. PM sent. I've noticed the pyrite posts, thanks. Hopefully she'll shoot without anything more than a through cleaning.

 

[david w]

What size is the bore?

 

[cornstalk]

@david w

Supposed to be .48

That's the video I watched (and thanks for that). And then this one. really cool.

 

[BradBrownBess]

Is that an original piece circa late 1600's or an aged reproduction? Be sure when you get it to check it over really well. There are a lot of fakes, decorator pieces, cheaply made overseas pieces, etc out there and a lot of people won't know the difference (auction houses especially). There are a lot of late Victorian pieces which are artworks on their own but they will often be sold for originals with the big price tag. If its more modern its aged well. I have a Circa 1670 German Hans Heller Wheellock that came from the the gun gallery of the Dukes of Saxony-Weimar at Ettersburg castle. The hair triggers are still in tact and working and the lock will work perfectly. I would in no way shoot it however - although I know it would work as well as when it was made. To pricey to risk something breaking. Good luck in your learning and shooting!!!

 

[BradBrownBess]

Here are some spanner pics - it has a Wheel Lock Spanner, Pull out powder measure, and a powder tester. Its Italian I believe - same period - late 1600's.

 

[BradBrownBess]

Circa 1680 to 1720 German Powder Flask I recently bought for the rifle.

 

[DuncNZ]

What size is the bore?

The Wheel Lock in this video was made here in New Zealand by a friend of mine who made me 2 flintlocks , he was shown how to make wheel locks by Rudyard on this forum .

 

[DuncNZ]

Cornstalk , you dont need a custom made spanner to span your rifle , all you need is a wrench that fits , the spanning tool can come later . First off find some cubes of Pyrites from China .

 

[toot]

Circa 1680 to 1720 German Powder Flask I recently bought for the rifle.

that is a beauty!

 

[Poguetx]

I got one of the Indian made ones from Loyalist a few years ago. They included several pyrites and the spanner, so you might contact them. I'd be careful if using a wrench, as the fit needs to be really tight so as not to round the edges (including the top edges if it wobbles).

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Yeah, the posts have a taper … please don’t use a wrench on a ‘real’ antique wheellock. We ”Brothers of the Wheel” take offense to the wrong tool being used in such a gross manner … LOL!

Besides, I shipped you one out today!

 

[cornstalk]

@Flint62Smoothie "Brothers of the Wheel", I like that.

Does this mean a Matchlock is in my future as well?

 

[DuncNZ]

My match lock is one of the earlier types and has a much faster ignition than my wheel lock .

Yeah, the posts have a taper … please don’t use a wrench on a ‘real’ antique wheellock. We ”Brothers of the Wheel” take offense to the wrong tool being used in such a gross manner … LOL!

Besides, I shipped you one out today!

Quite right , I carry a small shifting spanner in my shooting box and it is so sloppy it worked ok when I left my real spanner at home .

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

My match lock is one of the earlier types and has a much faster ignition than my wheel lock .

Agree 100%! To me, I would say they are even FASTER than percussion arms, as there is no mechanical interface … it is a hot match directly to the powder, the ignition is instantaneous!

 

[Rudyard]

Much depends on the matchcord. Yes it s got fire but a flint spark is white hot the match is just red hot and some locks are slow but the snap matchlock is generally fast . And confounds the sceptics who make fun of their ability . Every coffee table book author rubbishes the matchlocks ability to shoot flying . .But we used to shoot 'driven' clays 'Over the belt 'like high Pheasants & any other clay bird just a well as any other gun of same bore & form at large gathering UK ' Game Fairs' .
I was at F' ship and a M'lock gun of my make was there with one of the New Zealand International team . who where visiting after the Shoots at Phortzime
We had the usual "Oh a matchlock Ile go get a coffee & come back to see it going off "type banter ( And Banter is expected in this match , good natured but not helpfull ).Well it went off like lightning as expected .There was a pregnant pause then some one exclaimed " Sh%t that was quick !!!" Match cord or the Fungus alternate is a bit of an art form lowly it may be but simple it isn't .

Regards Rudyard

 

[DuncNZ]

I soak old fashioned cotton window sash cord in a mix of white vinegar and potassium chloride about a pint of vinegar and 2 oz of potassium chloride , warmed up and soak the cord for a day , then hang to dry , I believe the vinegar slows the rate of burn of the match and stops it becoming a fuse .

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

… they say it is best - more uniform & consistent - to lay it flat to dry, otherwise it ‘run down’ and turn into a fuse.

 

[Rudyard]

Dry flat makes sense but the use of hemp cord & lye is an old way, no doubt , most will work but the slowest hottest burn with little ash is the desirum. I recall one Bisley Short Range MLAGB Champs when despite rain the discarded match of one of the Japoneese shooters was still glowing away dureing the rained on presentations .But then matchlocks are the only sort of gun they can have ; So no doubt much study has gone into their cheekstock guns for the MLAIC' Tanagashima 'events standing 55 yards offhand, plus there's a knealing one 'Hidisz 'or some such name .
Incidently I recall the First MLAIC event in the US shot at Quantico . The Japonees shot there guns, some suitably attired . I think they placed . The cerromony went through all the usual gong hunting Nations, US & Germany. ( It got predictable ). But when the Japoneese came up to get their prize there was a spontanious roar of approuval . I am not overly fond of their guns I think they just copied the Veneitan Snap matchlock or one with a rotted of smashed butt so it got peddled of to the Japonees who didnt know the difference .No doubt some crafty Portugees got a good deal & chuckled all the way back home . But some very good shooting can be got from them . I made up a Venitian Snap lock & my last comp score was 83 . But such is the level of these events that you really need a 'possible' to be sure to place . The Target incidentley is the French Musket 200 whatever. International target ( basicaly twice the size of the useual PL7 International target ) All good stuff .
Regards Rudyard