Matchlock and Wheellock reproduction pistols?

westernrover · Jan 9, 2023

What is the availability of matchlock or wheellock pistols? I've seen a few antique or custom repro pistols on video channels, but have these designs been put into production in any recent time? What are the prospects of acquiring a quality matchlock or wheellock pistol for shooting? A search turned up a handful, but I wasn't able to check them out due to connection issues. Being that I expect the sources to be relatively obscure, I'd still want to inquire with anyone who has had practical experience with them.

hawg · Jan 9, 2023

There may be some coming out of India. You can buy a parts set for long guns from the Rifle Shoppe but a wheel lock parts set will cost north of 1000 and matchlock just under 1000. There have been none reproduced in any volume that I know of.

Jackrabbit1957 · Jan 9, 2023

I think match locks from India, wheel locks not so much, Hawg is right about the Rifle Shoppe, only place I've seen that had the parts to build one and they are right proud of them.

AlexanderA · Jan 10, 2023

First of all, pistols in the 16th-17th centuries (1500's-1600's) were nearly exclusively for use by the cavalry.

Managing a matchlock gun is a two-hand operation. Therefore, a matchlock pistol is impractical. Using a matchlock pistol on horseback is virtually impossible.

That's why the cavalry used wheel lock pistols. Those were really expensive in those days, and reproductions are really expensive now (if you can find them).

hawg · Jan 10, 2023

I remember back in the early 70's DGW had an original wheel lock for sale for 1,000.00.

Patocazador · Jan 10, 2023

My father brought back a beat-up matchlock smoothbore "rifle" from Saudi Arabia when he worked for ARAMCO.

Risky buisness · Jan 14, 2023

Intrigued by the question regarding matchlocks, I went looking. As jackrabbit57 and hawg stated, the rifleshoppe in Oklahoma has a 1630 reproduction first up on their webpage. Interest satisfied I didnt look at the price.

4v50 Gary · Jan 14, 2023

Matchlocks are easy. Wheellocks not so. Dale Shinn of Sacramento, Californiastan hand makes them.

Mike OTDP · Jan 15, 2023

Arsa used to make a repro Japanese matchlock pistol. There have been several custom matchlock pistols made...I own one. Wheellocks are rarer, but there's a guy in Poland making them.

Matchlock and Wheellock reproduction pistols?

westernrover

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hawg

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Jackrabbit1957

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hawg

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