Matchlock gun
Category
Arms and armour
Date
circa 1570 - circa 1610
Materials
iron, wood, bone
Measurements
1587 mm (Length)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Cotehele, Cornwall
NT 347372
Summary
Firearm. Matchlock musket, English or Dutch, c1600.
Full description
Matchlock musket, English or Dutch, c1600. Heavy iron barrel formed in 2 stages, octagonal at the breech to round at the muzzle, each stage separated by a turned moulding, The breech with a makers mark (very faint). Raised rear sight at the breech and a bead fore-sight at the muzzle. The breech formed with an integral square-shaped flashpan with fence. The pan cover missing. Retained to the stock by 2 brass barrel bands (later - originally fixed by wooden pegs). Barrel length: 124.8cm. Calibre 20mm. Wooden full stock with “fish-tail” form butt, and the wrist formed with a deep thumb groove. The stock divided into panels by bone banding, each panel inlaid with shaped and engraved bone pieces depicting scenes of hunting, dogs and feasting figures in period costume. Other areas of the stock inlaid with bone flowers, scrolls, dotwork and banding. One 1 panel on the left side of the butt with a later crude engraving, "JOHNS 1838". Much of the inly from the right side lost. Retaining part only of the original wooden ramrod. Long iron trigger guard formed with a finger rest, iron trigger plate and curved iron trigger. Exposed trigger pin with rounded head. The matchlock with long flat plate with decorative finials. Possible makers mark (very faint) to rear of plate. Rounded and engraved serpentine, the top section missing. Retained to the stock by 2 sidenails. Overall length: 160cm
Marks and inscriptions
JOHNS 1838