Author Topic: Early 17th century matchlock musket (Read 25045 times)

clayton707 · « **on:** November 02, 2012, 04:49:52 AM »

Hello everyone!

After my adventure building TRS Baker rifle, I have decided to get back to it and build an early 17th century matchlock musket after one found from the Swedish warship Vasa of 1628. Going to carve the stock myself after one in the museum.

I bought parts for this gun from The Rifle Shoppe, and just received them. Below are a few pics...

And, I have already formulated a question. The barrel came with the tang and breech plug installed. In fact, it appears that the tang, on the top and bottom flat sections of the barrel, are one piece of steel. But there appears to be a gap separating it on the vertical sides. See pics below..

Doesn't the tang have to separate from the barrel to make the breech plug removable? Or, did early barrels like this never have their breech plug removed, even for cleaning?

Maybe I have to break the bond between the barrel and the tang?

Thanks!

Clayton

490roundball · « **Reply #1 on:** November 02, 2012, 05:01:05 AM »

since the is a register mark - i would guess it has been filed/milled after installation thereby hiding the seam

have you tried to remove it?

Ed Wenger · « **Reply #2 on:** November 02, 2012, 05:03:04 AM »

Clayton,

The barrel has been draw filed on the top and bottom flats. That makes the line that joins the tang/plug to the barrel "disappear". You'll be able to remove the plug...

Ed

clayton707 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 02, 2012, 05:41:26 AM »

I haven't tried to remove it yet, but I will.

Thanks for the advice!

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #4 on:** November 02, 2012, 03:41:15 PM »

Make sure to post pics when you're done. My ancestors on my Mother's side sailed from Sweden to Delaware in 1642. (when they emptied a military prison

) I'm sure this type of gun was what they must have been armed with in the new world.

clayton707 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 02, 2012, 04:03:05 PM »

My ancestors came from Scandanavia too, but a little later, more like 19th century.

I will post progress photos too. I am excited to start building this!

LynnC · « **Reply #6 on:** November 02, 2012, 04:45:21 PM »

If you decide to unscrew the breech plug remember to pad the jaws of your wrench so as not to ruin the sides of the tang. I use brass shim stock..............Lynn

Cory Joe Stewart · « **Reply #7 on:** November 02, 2012, 05:53:23 PM »

Yes please post pics as you go, can't wait to watch your progress.

Coryjoe

johntulle · « **Reply #8 on:** November 03, 2012, 07:52:03 AM »

Looks like a fun project!

How are you going to attach the pan to the barrel? Solder? Would that stand up to firing?

Just curious as I might like to try one of these myself.

Hope to see the progress.

John

Acer Saccharum · « **Reply #9 on:** November 03, 2012, 04:27:20 PM »

I think that the pan may be attached by a longitudinal dovetal groove on the side flat of the barrel. Maybe Razpla illustrated one of these recently?

Don Getz · « **Reply #10 on:** November 03, 2012, 04:38:35 PM »

Just curious, does anyone else get a funny feeling about the building of this gun?............Don

clayton707 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 03, 2012, 05:00:54 PM »

I would think the pan could be brazed to the barrel. Although, I had never thought of the longitudinal dovetail idea. Thanks for that! I will consider doing it that way.

Cheers!
Clayton

raszpla · « **Reply #12 on:** November 03, 2012, 05:09:56 PM »

if I can help :

clayton707 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 03, 2012, 05:43:01 PM »

Thanks for the graphic!

raszpla · « **Reply #14 on:** November 03, 2012, 05:55:59 PM »

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=22363.0

clayton707 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 10, 2012, 11:37:03 PM »

Here is my start on the drawing of the stock.

If anyone has any suggestions, don't hesitate to chime in. Thanks!

JCKelly · « **Reply #16 on:** November 11, 2012, 08:41:01 PM »

When you are all finished, you might want to look on Ulrich Bretscher's "Black Powder Page" for the recipie for making slow match.
It does NOT involve soaking the cord in saltpeter, as I did when I made a matchlock rifle in the '70's.

I enjoyed shooting mine, a great deal. Then thought about Luke 4:12 and Deuteronomy 6:16 & decided to sell it to a very enthusiastic re-enactor.

raszpla · « **Reply #17 on:** November 11, 2012, 10:35:26 PM »

clayton707 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 12, 2012, 10:18:14 PM »

Thank you for your drawings and link raszpla.

Where do you get the chisels that you use to cut steel for your dovetails?

And JCKelly, you can also buy traditional matchcord from TRS.

Thanks!

raszpla · « **Reply #19 on:** November 13, 2012, 12:21:48 AM »

I chisel performed independently. I do not know where you can buy a chisel.

clayton707 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 16, 2012, 10:25:24 PM »

I made some modifications to my stock drawing and posted a picture below. I think it is nearly ready to cut out from the piece of alder that the drawing is sitting on. The stocks from Vasa are mostly either alder or beech. No walnut grows as far north as Sweden.

Cheers!

clayton707 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 23, 2012, 07:57:50 AM »

Below are some more progress pics.

I don't actually think I did bad for my very first try at inletting a barrel, especially considering it is double swamped and octagonal to round!