Comparison of 17th Century Pistols

[wahkahchimaol.com]

I recently had a chance to compare two 17th Century replica pistols.

One is a Middlesex Village English Doglock pistol, which cost $250 to buy and was delivered to the buyer in two weeks.

The other is a Rifle Shoppe snaphaunce pistol assembled by White Muzzleloading. It cost about $900 and was delivered to the buyer in one year.

 

[wahkahchimaol.com]

Here's how I did the testing: 15 yards, 50 grains FFG, with ball and shot, offhand.

The Middlesex gun has no sights at all. It broke a sear spring on the fifth shot so that I had to turn the pistol sideways to get the lateral sear to engage. But it works.

The White Muzzleloading gun has to have the trigger pulled to pull back the cock, which is a bit disconcerting. But with the hammer...the snaphaunce version of the frizzen...in the forward position, it's safe.

 

[wahkahchimaol.com]

Here's the final target from the Middlesex gun. The small holes on the edges of the target are from the single load of 6 00 buck I fired. I also fired eight shots of .600 ball.

 

[wahkahchimaol.com]

Here's the final target from the snaphaunce. 100 shots were fired throughout the testing process. The buck impacts are much closer together with this pistol. In both of these final targets 8 ball rounds were also fired. This pistol fired a .570 ball.

Thoughts? Comments?

 

[BillinOregon]

Fascinating! Thanks for taking the time to shoot and post. Despite the broken spring, I am surprised at how well the Middlesex gun performed for you. What is your overall opinion of the lock on it, and the hardness of the frizzen?

 

[Many Klatch]

The lack of drop on the handle seems like it would make it difficult to hold and aim, yet you piled the ball on top of each other with your White. How did it feel to shoot and did you have to make any changed in how you aimed and fired?

Many Klatch