Muzzle Loaders

[dbm]

A week ago I shot in the MLAGB's "Pedersoli Challenge" competition. Following are a few snaps of some of the muskets and rifles used in the various events:

Japanese Cheek Stock Matchlock Musket

http://www.researchpress.co.uk/pics/pc_matchlock.jpg[/pic]

Brown Bess Flintlock Musket

http://www.researchpress.co.uk/pics/pc_bess.jpg[/pic]

Underhammer Offhand Rifle

http://www.researchpress.co.uk/pics/pc_underhammer.jpg[/pic]

Flintlock Rifle

http://www.researchpress.co.uk/pics/pc_flintlock.jpg[/pic]

Enfield Rifle

http://www.researchpress.co.uk/pics/pc_enfield.jpg[/pic]

Match Rifle

http://www.researchpress.co.uk/pics/pc_match.jpg[/pic]

The only other rifle event was BP breech loader but I didn't get any photos.

David

[SgtJethro]

Neat assortment of coal burners. Thanks for posting that one.

aj

[dromia]

How did you do David?.

Whats the lock time on the match lock in comparison to a flinter?

[dbm]

I did OK, but nothing outstanding.

95 for 4th place with offhand target rifle - 50m

92 for 6th place with percussion target rifle - 100m prone

91 for 3rd place with BP breech loader (40-65 Rolling Block) - 100m prone

82 for 4th place with percussion military rifle (Enfield) - 100m prone

All prone shooting at 100m only a two-point sling is permitted for support (no cross sticks or wrist rests). Target is ISSF 50m free pistol target with 50mm (approx 2") 10 ring.

Re. matchlocks, the lock time seems to be at least on a par with and possibly faster than flintlocks; after all a lighted match is just being dropped into the priming powder!

David

[Niner]

Thanks for posting the pictures. Real good report, particularly to see people taking BP guns seriously.

I've never shot a matchlock, nor an underhammer rifle either, like this one that you show:

http://www.researchpress.co.uk/pics/pc_underhammer.jpg[/pic]

[dbm]

The Japanese cheek-stock matchlock muskets is a fascinating piece of firearms history and one which developed solely in Japan while it maintained its self imposed isolation from the outside world until the mid-19th century. They were introduced to Japan by the Portugese in the 16th century and remainded in use until the 19th century - Japan went from matchlock to breech loader in one step! The design does not have a full length butt stock, merely a pistol grip which is held against the cheek. Made over such a long period they are relatively common and everyone I know that shoots them has an original, most being 19th century, but some 18th century.

The offhand underhammer was possibly made my Andreas Baumkircher of Switzerland. I'm not a great fan of underhammer rifles - I just think they're ugly! Mind you, beauty is in the eye of the beholder as they say... My offhand rifle is pictured below; the forerunner of todays free rifles I suppose with set trigger, palm rest, aperture sights and hooked butt plate. It's a repro of an 1850's Swiss target rifle and weighs around 16lb.

http://www.researchpress.co.uk/pics/bristlen.jpg[/pic]

David

[Niner]

Now there is a target rifle! But those ornate metal curly extentions on the butt look like they would be uncomfortable to shoulder as they also restrict the rifle butt placement. Are they a problem, actually?

[dbm]

The butt plate is quite comfy actually, and not being adjustable as on a modern rifle designed for three position target shooting proportions are fairly generous to fit most people.

My rifle is .44 cal and shoots a small Minie bullet.

Below is pic of my wife firing her offhand rifle. This is .40 cal and shoots a flat based bullet.

http://www.researchpress.co.uk/pics/ktm_offhand.jpg[/pic]

David

[Aughnanure]

Adam,

First m/l that I ever owned was a Japanese matchlock and it was definitely faster than a flint.

I bought it at a gunshop on the Ginza in Tokyo then took it to Korea. It created something of a sensation in BHQ and I had to give a lot of demonstrations. Everyone, from the Colonel down was decent enough not to ask where I'd gotten the black powder

Eoin.