Matchlock for Merorial Day

[Missionary]

Greetings
For years I have wanted a Matchlock. Several months ago I decided to start a build. Used scrap stell I have accumulated over the years down here. Sadly barrel is just a 48 inch piece of gas pipe so it cannot be "military loaded". Had to buy the wood, "barrel and the 1/4 steel for the ramrod for a total cost of $19. All other parts were fashioned from steel found in the road or pieces left over from projects.
Test fired twice with a barrel load of 20 grains 3F and a newspaper wad. Made the slow match by soaking 3/8 braided hemp in a watered "mush" of 3F. Wanted to make a basic matchlock that could have been carried by a 1600 Colonial soldier. Weights a bit over 7 pounds. Would probably be near 8 pounds with a real barrel. Mike in Peru

 

[weaponhead]

Very cool...nice work! Can you show more of the lock and how you made it??

 

[[email protected]]

Very very good. Thank you.

 

[Missionary]

Greetings weaponhead... Here it is.. The origonal photo and my copy. I did not take a photo of my completed lock but those are the main parts as they would lay on the lock plate.
Mike in Peru

 

[Missionary]

Good morning
Another photo of this matchlock upon ignition several weeks ago before the final wood work was completed. This was only a paperwad "projectile" fired two times to test function of system. I have no intentions of loading a RB or shot understanding the pressure restrictions of plain pipe.

 

[Rudedog]

Excellent job. Just wondering how thin walled your gas pipe barrel is?

 

[Missionary]

Greetings Rudedog
Looks to be right at 1/8 inch.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Good for you. Watch out for those lost Spaniards. You'll recognize them from the crosses they paint on their sails.