Flint62Smoothie

Your book sounds fascinating! And thanks for the ‘heads up’ in interpreting the others.

Thank you! I just bought the Perrin book and am on the 'lookout' for the Taira book. I've done a TON of proofreading in my career if I may be of any asssitance on the book effort. You are a wealth of information here and very responsive, and I greatly appreciate both of those traits! Cheers!

@Bugyotsuji - Thank you for your response! Please let me know if you find anything. I am presently making a forge and have a computer-controlled heat trating oven. When I retire next JAN 2026, I plan to start making wheellocks, but as left-handed ones. Right now I am focusing on making 'replacement' V-spring mainsprings for the flintlocks in my collection, to aid in my knowledge of the spring making process. Some day I will forge myself a serpentine for my Tang if i don't find any parts in the mean time. Cheers! Dale

Hey all: I guess I am lucky enough to have an English version of his Book 1, acknowledging that there are eiting errors as a few have pointed out here. But has any other English speaker purchased his 2nd book and have any comments regarding its value? Thanks in advance! Dale

Yes, Piers ... using the principle of Occam's Razor and only seeing them on the heavier caliber arms leads me - as a shooter - to that conclusion. Even Samual W. Beach can see that function. Here is how it is held in place:

Gents: Guessing as to what the purpose is - as a collector/shooter of the early arms - would this feature serve to protect the fingers of the firing hand from being broken on the heavier caliber arms? (FYI, my shootable BP collection includes cheek-fired and chest-fired Snap Matchlocks and Petronels (fired when held in front of the chest). Photo credits -

Restoring the Tanegashima below ... looking for spare parts ...

FWIW that is the recipe that my friend Hilton (who made post #3) and I use. Simple! I am now making some using the potassium carbonate powder for boiling the lignin out in an attempt to define the best accurate measures/portions of the ingredients, as Hilton just dumps some in. The cordage I am using is 9-strand braided hemp procurred from Etsy and it came from the UK. This picture below is not cord, but tinder - just dried 'tree fungus' (not even nitrated!) made from birch polypore. It burns HOT without ANY ash head on it! So far the braided hemp burns hot almost as well, and without much ash residue, although one should 'tend their match' (blow across the breech, with pan over closed as per Jacob de Gheyn) for best results before a shot.

Yes that’s great, and very true, however that is NOT the hole or feature that I was quizzing people about …

You pull out the lock pins from the lock plate side. Then you would push the smaller of the pins (in diameter, if one was smaller) into that hole to push OUT the rear of the lock plate. That tips it out of the inlet that it is set into, from where the forward-most end is 'trapped' under the brass barrel band. Clever, if not ingenious!

Let’s see who else does … as I have a few educational quizzes lined up.

They have also annouced a Matchlok Arquebus of a "Alla Spagnola" pr Spanish style "Petronel" stock, although they do not call it a Petronel, but the late Michael Tromner, aka 'Matchlock' from the Viking Sword forums, would disagree a bit with them. This too will be in 62-caliber and it has a period correct 'peep' or tube rear sight. Brixia also announced a 62-caliber Snaphaunce and sharp eyes will see the Petronel down at the bottom rght of their YouTube launch, see photos.

Have you seen the replica Matchlocks that Brixia Company, Italy is NOW offering? This Matchlock in 62-caliber is currently available from Dixie Gun Works, for $1,195 right now for $1,195. If I didn’t have ‘too many’ already (is that even possible???), I’d be buying one, just to check it out. Personally I LOVE it that she is a 62-cal instead of the much heavier & clunkier 75s! SPECS: Matchlock musket, 20 gauge by Investarms. Fullstock Beech Wood Satin finish, 54 1/4" length 1 1/2" drop. Barrel 20ga. Smoothbore polished steel 37 3/4" Tapered octagon. Front sight steel blade, Rear sight .350" dovetail open style. Polished steel butt plate. Measures 54 3/8" overall, 9-3/4lbs. Wood ramrod tapered 1/2" to 7/16" Comes with 11.5" hank of matchlock fuse. Our MA0201 fuse will also work. Load 80gr. FFG 1oz shot or .614 round ball w/ .010 patch. Link = https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...y_id/315/product_name/MM0003+Matchlock+Musket

I know ... do you?

Hey ... that's me! I'm restoring that one and just found this Site!