Do people want Reproduction match locks?

[goo]

For those who enjoy shooting.  Would it be preferable to take a historically accurate reproduction match lock to the gun range instead of your prized original?

Is anyone making accurate reproductions.    Is this something anyone would want?

[Bugyotsuji]

This question was answered yesterday in your other thread, goo, but you have phrased it slightly differently today.

 

At most shooting ranges in the USA, I can guess they would welcome you with a genuine Tanegashima, although you might need to be ready to say yours is safe to fire, because you have done check x, y, or z, for example.

 

So, can we assume that you have recently acquired a Japanese Tanegashima long smoothbore gun, which you prize, and you feel nervous as to whether you should attempt to fire it? 

 

In that case I would advise finding a repro, and trying that out first in order to build confidence in the process, perhaps even firing blanks before inserting lead musket ball. Step by step one gets to Rome!

[goo]

3 hours ago, Bugyotsuji said:

This question was answered yesterday in your other thread, goo, but you have phrased it slightly differently today.

 

At most shooting ranges in the USA, I can guess they would welcome you with a genuine Tanegashima, although you might need to be ready to say yours is safe to fire, because you have done check x, y, or z, for example.

 

So, can we assume that you have recently acquired a Japanese Tanegashima long smoothbore gun, which you prize, and you feel nervous as to whether you should attempt to fire it? 

 

In that case I would advise finding a repro, and trying that out first in order to build confidence in the process, perhaps even firing blanks before inserting lead musket ball. Step by step one gets to Rome!

Sorry for posting twice if the moderators are watching they should take this post down.   I am an antique gunsmith so I was trying to see if there is any interest in custom built tanegashima one could actually use.

[Bugyotsuji]

In the USA such a gun would be legal, but sadly not in some other countries, certainly not in Japan for example.

[Brian]

Always a market for custom reproductions, especially USA and maybe UK etc. The question would be the end price. But as limited production and marked as such, I think you'd find buyers who want to shoot them. And you could make them fairly accurate, so some would want them for competition. But a ballpark price would be better. I'd see this in the same league as custom modern Kentucky-style rifles.

[goo]

Brian, there is a wide range of prices for Long rifle and fowlers.  If you are not concerned about the details there is an Italian mfg. Where you can buy something for less but the gracefulness and style is missing. To build something that presents what they were with the actual look and balance i have to charge $2900 - $4900.

For the tanegashima they don't have the more complex locks but I haven't seen production match lock parts other than barrels that have to have specific breech plugs made. The rest of the parts I would have hand build. Then there is the problem of the wood, I would have to find a source for stable dried yew oak.   I could use other wood maybe some other oak,hickory, hard plain maple but this would be up to the buyer.

 To agree with you the price due to extra time to make parts I would have to charge in the $4500-$5500 range.   

.

[Peter Bleed]

Gustavo, 

I think that skilled treatment of Japanese style matchlock arms MIGHT be a potentially worthwhile specialty. The price frame you outline should be reasonable to folks with this interest, but I'd have to suggest that this will be a tough market. I doubt that folks in this country would be numerous and serious enough about competitive matchlock shooting to support your effort. And if guys are simply looking for noise makers, I doubt that they'd pay for quality replication.

I co-taught a couple of  NPS  class on the archaeology of firearms and there certainly might be issues that could be studied and addressed in that regard concerning tanegashima. But the guns that I think might be worth study would be large caliber pieces. That research would not require historical accuracy. 

Finally, it is easy to predict that there will be a bunch of  tanegashima collections that will be coming on the market in the next few years, and that MANY of those guns will be serious, expert and sensitive maintenance. That may not be the work you wish to do, but I think it will be an important effort. 

Peter

[Flint62Smoothie]

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

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.