For those who love details: 1. How does a wheellock work? The wheel sits on a spindle that is connected to a powerful leafspring via a three-linked chain. That spindle has a cam that pushes the pancover open. When the wheel is wound up a shallow recess in its inner side gets under a rounded stud at the tip of a pivoted horizontal lever. That stud slides into that recess which means that the longer tail of that lever swings away from the lockplate. Then a step in some other lever slides under that tail and blocks it. The power of the spring is strong enough to force the stud of the horizontal lever out off the wheel, but that step under its tail prevents that movement. What the trigger mechanism does is to pull that step under that tail away. Instantaneously the wheel swirls back, pushes the pan open and grinds sparks from the pyrite in the dog. 2. Combination of wheellock and snap-matchlock: The horizontal lever that blocks the wheel gets another stud that protrudes through the lockplate when the wheel gets wound up. The serpentine of the aditional matchlock can then be swung out of its resting position and its toe comes to a rest on that stud. When the trigger is pulled the wheel pushes the horizontal lever away and that means that this additional stud under the toe of the serpentine is withdrawn. The serpentine will then fall into the pan. 3: What is the use of that? Well, you still have to wind up the wheel and in case anything is wrong with the internal parts of the wheellock mechanism the additional matchlock is useless. But it may be that the wheel gets dirty and slimy from powder residues and does not produce sparks anymore, or the pyrite falls off and you have no spare. At least you had the good feeling that you were not helpless in such a situation.
Great video guys. What you describe as a 'tiller-style' system, with the trigger working against spring tension to lower the serpentine is known as a 'trigger lock', following the original 'scear lock' with the same mechanism but a long lever type trigger. The snap matchlock ran in parallel with both of these, and dates to the early 16th century.
Thanks Jonathan! I definitely misspoke. I was thinking of the matchlock muskets that often had crossbow "tickler" style trigger levers (not crossbow "tillers") and the "trigger lock" mechanisms as you pointed out.
Very cool. Good presenter. I know very little about black powder guns and virtually zero about the various lock types. I’d love to see more along these lines
You, Sir, have My Dream Job. And I've been around firearms for over 60 years. Kudos to you!
For those who love details: 1. How does a wheellock work? The wheel sits on a spindle that is connected to a powerful leafspring via a three-linked chain. That spindle has a cam that pushes the pancover open. When the wheel is wound up a shallow recess in its inner side gets under a rounded stud at the tip of a pivoted horizontal lever. That stud slides into that recess which means that the longer tail of that lever swings away from the lockplate. Then a step in some other lever slides under that tail and blocks it. The power of the spring is strong enough to force the stud of the horizontal lever out off the wheel, but that step under its tail prevents that movement. What the trigger mechanism does is to pull that step under that tail away. Instantaneously the wheel swirls back, pushes the pan open and grinds sparks from the pyrite in the dog.
2. Combination of wheellock and snap-matchlock: The horizontal lever that blocks the wheel gets another stud that protrudes through the lockplate when the wheel gets wound up. The serpentine of the aditional matchlock can then be swung out of its resting position and its toe comes to a rest on that stud. When the trigger is pulled the wheel pushes the horizontal lever away and that means that this additional stud under the toe of the serpentine is withdrawn. The serpentine will then fall into the pan.
3: What is the use of that? Well, you still have to wind up the wheel and in case anything is wrong with the internal parts of the wheellock mechanism the additional matchlock is useless. But it may be that the wheel gets dirty and slimy from powder residues and does not produce sparks anymore, or the pyrite falls off and you have no spare. At least you had the good feeling that you were not helpless in such a situation.
History like this is very interesting. Second gun is just...wow.
Great video guys. What you describe as a 'tiller-style' system, with the trigger working against spring tension to lower the serpentine is known as a 'trigger lock', following the original 'scear lock' with the same mechanism but a long lever type trigger. The snap matchlock ran in parallel with both of these, and dates to the early 16th century.
Thanks, Jonathan. Good to see you here!
Thanks Jonathan! I definitely misspoke. I was thinking of the matchlock muskets that often had crossbow "tickler" style trigger levers (not crossbow "tillers") and the "trigger lock" mechanisms as you pointed out.
@@RockIslandAuctionCompany I never miss one! Just wish we were more active in acquisitions...
@@IsaacsonSeth Definitely no criticism intended; keep up the good work :)
Oh neato. This will be an interesting watch after work
Very cool. Good presenter. I know very little about black powder guns and virtually zero about the various lock types. I’d love to see more along these lines
Fascinating. Thanks!
What’s that long long rifle on the right side of the screen!
Its a massive wall/rampart gun*. Its origins are unknown, but India, Nepal, or another similar location seems likely.