Bob,
I used to be a member on the 'other channel;' but log in and and passwords got so bad for me I quit.
I'd re set a password, have it all writ down and good, then they would tell me it was wrong. (Again!)
Anyway, we had a good bit of info on there about tinder for the locks
In Swedish the older Tinder-locks were called "Swamples Lit" Mushroom locks!
The earlier snapping matchlock was known as a Tinder lock, as the jaws of the serpent were small and could not take a length of match cord.
Normally a length of cord was kept lit, to light the pieces of tinder that were used for just one shot.
As you say it burns hot with a very good coal. The best part of the horseshoe fungus is that part that looks like cork, rather than the spores.
It doesn't need treating to work, just dried naturally in a sunny window for instance.
Dried in an oven hurts it so best avoided.
I think you are aware Bob, of Michael Tromner's threads on the Ethnographic or Viking sword Forum, re matchlocks.
Michael knew more than the rest of us put together.
