Alright well i know this site is about arms and swords but i was wondering if anyone knows someone who makes live firing matchlocks for a decendent price so please if anyone could help out i would appricate it
Pete

This doesn't belong in the Marketplace because you're asking questions about who makes these things, about pricing, etc. You're not looking for a private seller, so I'm moving it to the right forum.

Please see the Marketplace Forum Rules for more info.

Peter;

There are some custom makers out there and some other sources that sell Matchlock, here is one site that offers an early period matchlock.

http://www.historicenterprises.com/cart.php?m...t&c=24

Peter it's been a while since I bought mine but Dixie Gun works used to carry a very decent matchlock musket. It fuuny you should bring this up as Gordon Frey (who i'm sure will chime in here with some other sources for you) and I were just talking Sunday night about how it would be great if there were more suppliers of these out there .

Albion Small Arms and Derbyshire Historic Arms in the UK. Albion Small Arms is at http://www.albion-small-arms.freeserve.co.uk/. Their Tower pattern musket is just sex on legs....Shame about the huge waiting list!

David EVans

My group has purchased 90% of our pieces through Syke's Sutlery. They generally carry pieces by John Buck. We've been using the pieces for about 10 years now with good results. The only complaint I have is that the main spring in my doglock has broken twice in three years. It looks to be a problem with the metal in the spring, as if it was a bad cast. The matchlocks we have though are robust.

You might try www.therifleshoppe.com as well. Big selection. Most are sld dissassembled but they will build certain ones to order.

I'll echo Chris' comments about John Buck. Although from what I understand, Sykes is not carrying any more firearms, John is still merrily making them. He has email musketmart@gcronline.com but prefers that folks just call him at (434) 724-1607. He's a hoot to talk to, and his stuff is quite functional. In fact, our local Schuetzenfest was won by a fellow shooting one of John's matchlocks!

There are a couple of other makers out there, but to my knowledge they're so far behind as to be scary. Dale Shinn in Sacramento, CA ( http://home.earthlink.net/~dgshinn/companyinfo.html is his unit's website, and you can contact him through that) and Taylor Anderson in Granbury, TX: fortcomanche@yahoo.com . And of course the Dixie musket mentioned by Allan is top drawer.

You might also check out this website for more information, including a fairly complete list of the various vendors and makers of such cool items:

http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?Cat=

Go to the "Pre-Flintlock Firearms" and you'll find LOTS of cool info and discussion on matchlocks, wheellocks and the like.

Cheers!

Gordon

Hey everyone who has replied to this post about matchlocks i am glad to see that i am not the only one who loves these rifles also thank you so much for all the information i really thank you keep them comming cause i love having the information that i need
Peter

Thanks for the head's up Gordon, I haven't contacted Syke's in a while about a piece. The only thing about Rifle Shoppe I have to say is make sure the pieces are in stock when you order them. Then you should do ok, other wise their wait times can be very long!

Chris;

You bet, glad to help. Dale Shinn gave me the heads-up on that, which he got from John Buck himself. I'd give Sykes a try though, since they may still have some stock, but then fall back on John's goods.

Per Rifle Shoppe, as you said, their products are very nice, but not always available any time soon. I have a BEAUTIFUL Snaphaunce Musket lock that I got from them, awaiting my acquisition of a decent barrel and chunk of lumber, and I couldn't be happier with the workmanship of the lock. (The parts are mostly cast, BTW, but still, VERY good quality). However, it was in stock, ready to ship when I ordered it.

I would LOVE to see one of their Wheellocks made up, just to check them out. Or should I say, I would LOVE to HAVE one of their early Wheellocks to slap into a carbine stock, LOL!

Cheers!

Gordon

I hear you! I'm trying to do some work on a snaphaunce lock this winter. I've got a petronel stock partially shaped and a barrel waiting to be dropped into it. Just have to get down to the forge/workshop to get some work done.

I'll send you some pictures once I get further along.

Dale's the fellow with the leather gun right? I've got to get myself out west to see that thing in action!

Chris;

Indeed, Dale Shinn is the man with the Swedish Leather Gun! It's quite the interesting item, I must say. Makes a nice boom, too, LOL!

Hey, if you are able to, come on out the first weekend of April for our School of the Renaissance Soldier! We could use a few more practiced fellows to stiffen the ranks... I'm serious, you know. (It's fine and green in Northern California then, a nice change from the chill of your Northern Winters!)

Cheers!

Gordon

Gordon-

If there is a way I can swing it with my first child due at the end of January, I will. Otherwise It might have to be a as soon as I can thing. :)

To keep this thread on track here are some pictures of an original snaphaunce lock, as requested.

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Enjoy!

Chris;

Sweet Snaphaunce Lock you have there! Very cool. Morrocan, do you think, or European? I understand that there was quite a trade from Holland in such locks until quite late, when the locals started up their own production.

Here's a pic of my built lock from TRS. They do great work, it's just getting it out of them that seems to be the challenge!

And with Child No. 1 due in January, we won't hold our breath for your attendence at the School of the Renaissance Soldier in April! But hey, if there is a way, then we'll welcome you with open arms!

Cheers!

Gordon

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That's a very nice looking piece Gordon! Did you have them assemble it, or did you do that yourself? I was thinking about chancing a castings set for the snaphaunce lock, but have been kinda leary about it. If I can make it down, I'll try to drag some of my other guys down too. Maybe even Henry Sidney, the 1560's bronze swivel gun. :)

As to the lock I pictured, I'me fairly certain its non-European. I have no other information on it other than the pictures though unfortunately.

Chris;

The lock picture is off of the TRS website, but is identical to the one they sent to me. I was lucky enough to get a built one (they offered it on eBay, oddly enough, but that way I KNEW it was "in stock", as it were!) However, IF you get a kit, it ought not be too horribly difficult to build up. However, they don't come with any plans or pilot holes or anything, so they can be a challenge, I'm told. However, they DO work when they're together!

Here's a pic of the guts of the Snaphaunce lock, along with my Middlesex Village Trading Co. Doglock for a pistol, and my Charleville musket lock for comparison of the innards of each. All are at "Full Cock", of course.

Oh, I think it would be GREAT if you could bring out "Henry Sydney"! We'll use him to keep any Irish in line, LOL!

Cheers!

Gordon

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Sorry for the bit of thread-nomancy but I wanted to put up a couple of pictures of a lock from one of our calivers. Its about 10 years old so pardon the aged look. :)

The firing mechanism is very basic for those that want to make it.

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Inside of lock

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Outside of Lock