Revolving Matchlocks

[Flint62Smoothie]

I would think that # of chambers in the cylinder would depend on the diameter of the cylinder, because one build constraint should be to make darn sure those 2 chambers astride the barrel have a SAFE path to exit in the event of an unintentional discharge of the barrels (chain fire!) to each side of the one firing!

 

[TobJohn]

One of the wheellock revolvers has a ramrod that only looks long enough for loading the chambers directly, but that could also be a later restoration

I looked back at my email when I asked the Royal Armouries about their two revolver wheellocks, and they responded that the cylinders have a vent at the back, so that seems to exclude ramming the charge all the way back to the main body of the gun. Looking at some examples, the pan is very high up on what would have been a rear barrel, so that makes sense that the charge and ball would not fit back there.

 

[Marc Schmidt]

my two cent:
The rear part of the revolving matchlock gun, which you call barrel, contains only a long, narrow ignition channel.
If you want to build the cartridge gun. you can contact Bolek Maciaszczyk from Poland.
He once built such a wheellock pistol. You can find his channel on Youtube and he's on facebook too.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

... they responded that the cylinders have a vent at the back ...

Or, the 'touch hole' if you will, for that cylinder.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

The rear part of the revolving matchlock gun ... contains only a long, narrow ignition channel.

Interesting observation!

... you can contact Bolek Maciaszczyk from Poland.

Yes, Bolek is well respected and represented here.