Even though it is not Christmas, a 22 minutes video of a dual Wheelock pistol is seriously a great treat. Thank you Capandball. :) Thanks for the likes, I have never had a comment that has more than 10 likes -_-
Fascinating. This sort of testing is enormously valuable to let us know how such weapons were actually used and what they could actually do. In context with historical sources, they give a degree of clarity that is simply not possible without this kind of testing,
Yes and no. Unless produced with period tools then modern machining, bullets and gunpowder would be expected to radically increase accuracy beyond that achievable by period pieces. That said it's definitely worth doing and gives insights pure reading doesn't provide
Those slugs were the literal definition of "If it works well enough, it works" Fascinating video, always appreciative of the educational content this channel provides.
hmm if its a matter of bows vs muskets id say the bows are no worse of. Muskets are easier to train large numbers to use buut if trained archers go against muskets itd be a blood bath all round. Of course that's assuming tha tthe guys with bows dont run away due to the BANG :P
@@sabo55 There's a very funny account of a French general(Baron de Marbot) who was fighting the Russians at the Battle of Leipzig(1813), and chastised their Bashkirs who principally fought with bows because they weren't well trained to shoot in an organized fashion which lead to the Bashkirs loosing arcing volleys which were inaccurate and lacking in power, and he described them as, "In fact the Baskirs, having no other arms, are undoubtedly the world’s least dangerous troops." Ironically this French general was wounded in the leg by a Bashkir arrow.
@@sabo55 I live in a region where 5% of the population is Bashkir. The city museum presents composite Bashkir bows, very complex in technology. The Bashkir cavalry used them until the beginning of the nineteenth century. The range and accuracy are not worse than smooth-bore rifles, the rate of fire is very high. They used their bows to shoot from the saddle and presented a very big problem for the rifle-armed infantry. During the movement of Napoleon's army to Moscow and the subsequent flight of its remnants back to Europe, Bashkir horse archers made constant night raids on the French camps. Night, surprise attack and retreat are what they have always loved. But these people learned horseback riding and archery from early childhood and all their lives, this is a way of life.
The fellow that built those pistols should be very proud of his work. Craftsmanship is not appreciated much anymore. But, I recognize it when I see it…and I acknowledge it.
Didn't they survive as heavily ornate hunting weapons for a while after the flintlocks where introduced? I understand it that it's main drowback was that they where more complicated and expensive. As such they never really took of as a weapon for mass armies of foot soldiers that mostly went from fuse lock to flint lock due to this.
Thank you so much for such an educational presentation. The testing was of a level few other firearm channels have. The introduction of the hammered slug was interesting it would have been nice to see some examples that had been retrieved from one of the battlefields you mentioned. Please keep up the good work, we in America should take a lesson from your reverence of historical firearms.
Yes it is my favorite channel, the wide range of variety keeps bringing me back. But I have to say the early colt videos are very enjoyable to watch again and again
I have been a muzzle loader since 1979. This was the most fascinating video I have ever watched on the subject. The pistols are gorgeous, accurate, and versatile. It was amazing to me how accurate the paper cartridge tied on to the sprue was. I thought it would tumble. It would have been extra deadly because it left the sprue and some paper in the wound. I wonder if the paper acted as a stabilizer like the fletching on an arrow or bolt to keep the ball+sprue from tumbling @25 m? I also love your scrimshawed deer tine powder flasks. Did you make them?
@@capandballHello ! I don't understand English very well. Please tell me, do you sell these reproductions of flintlock pistols? What is the price in dollars?
Absolutely gorgeous design on these pistols, especially with the little Fleur De Lis-shaped release for the priming pan cover. I'll gladly admit I like AR's and AK's as much as the next guy, but nothing compares to the beauty of flintlock/wheellock antiques and the artistic level of craftsmanship that went into making these weapons. Especially when you consider the fact that these firearms were born from a pre-industrial society. No conveyor belts, no robots on an assembly line. These were all made by human hands, slowly and painstakingly, to the precision that was needed both for the weapon to be safe and to function adequately. And that's to say nothing of the ingenuity it took to come up with these ignition designs in the first place.
Excellent presentation! I had no clear idea before today how the wheel lock functioned. Another way to form (rather than pour) a correct sized slug is to drive a larger sized ball through a section of barrel of the the correct caliber for the pistol or musket/rifle. Obviously, this works best for a ball only slightly bigger than the intended caliber, but I found it useful on occasion when I did not have the correct mold.
Indeed , for that matter , should do respectfully well on the enemy Horse ! Later Flint and Percussion locks were less expensive to manufacture , and simplier to maintain , but as far as power and accuracy , they would compare favorably throughout the remainder of the Single Shot Pistol Era for another 200 or so years .
Interesting analysis. The lock mechanism on the pistols if that is correct terminology is stunningly well done. Over all the craftsmanship of each is fabulous. I found it interesting seeing the on the spot projectile manufacturing as well. I must say your 25 meter shots with tight fitting round ball showed they were capable of darn good accruacy.
Science and historical research combined make for compelling viewing. The first group of 5 was most impressive, especially the two in essentially the same hole.
Seriously point blank only though. Were as the others could be used up to 40 or 50 meters with good effect. I'll pass on the slug, the paper cartridge looked to be all around superior.
Capandball stated that the weight of a normal power charge is a third of the bullet weight. Actually, it works out closer to a quarter of the bullet weight. He stated the ball diameter was .530. Ergo: .530 round ball (without sprue) = 224 grains lead... 224 grains / 4 = 56 grains powder. Your 1860 Colt Army's bore is .44 caliber. .440 round ball = 128 grains lead... 128 grains / 4 = 32 grains powder. However, usually a larger ball is used in the 1860, up to .454" diameter. A .454 round ball = 141 grains lead... 141 grains / 4 = 35.25 grains powder. Note that it is common for 1860 shooters to use less powder (e.g. 20 grains) for improved accuracy.
@@DigitizedReflections yes , I heard him say all those things as well. My 1860 prefers a full charge of 30 grains with a 128 grain .440 round ball. 20 grains gives terrible accuracy in mine.
It was because of this channel that I got into black powder shooting. I bought my firearm a few months ago (a New Model Army from Pietta) and love shooting it when I can.
Excellent video, very complete! I wish that one day, be it in a decade or more, you'd collaborate with Ian McCollum on some project, even though the two of you are more complementary: he is less interested in muzzleloaders and you're less into XXth century stuff (except repros).... but who knows!
Love your channel. Not into guns anymore (bows are my fancy) but your love for them is nice to see and learning from someone passionate about what they are about is the best way to learn
I've always loved these types of firearms. The look, aesthetics, curved handles, engraving, etc. I remember seeing a few of these pistol kits at flea markets as a kid, and my father always made fun of me because I wanted one of these. He said, "Hahaha! If you tried to pull that thing on the Terminator he'd laugh at you." Even then, I knew that response was dumb on more than one level.
For flintlock pistols they actually have a fair reaction time from pull to punch . I use to have a 58 calibre muzzle loader Confederate Enfield , but alas I sold Her . You have rekindled my interest . I'm a professional shooter culling Razorbacks Ferrel dogs and Roos in Australia and mainly use 30-06 , 222 , 303 World War 1 model that seen action in France and Belgium plus 12 gague and a 22 for small stuff like Ferrel cat and rabbits down South . Thank you for rekindling my interest in all things black powder . PS you are one hell of a shot my friend . Cheers from Australia kindest Regards Dan 👍
When you said slug. I was thinking of like a shotgun slug, conically shaped, or Minnie ball shaped projectile. I guess this was a way of mass produced and/ or field expedient way of producing projectiles with limited resources. I sure it would have worked in volley fire or CQB. I need to go back watch the previous cited sources or other videos. I bought a CVA .54 rifle and bullet mold out a pawn shop in Oklahoma 3 years ago. Haven't done anything with it yet. This could be my other hobby. I enjoy your videos for the quality of content. Thanks! 😍
I agree that one MUST shoot and use a gun to understand its history. I carry an 1851 repro on my desert walks and I now understand that weapon inside and out. For a rabbit gun there’s nothing better.
Those are beautiful pistols! This is the first time I have ever seen a wheel lock loaded and fired, makes me want to own one. I assume that horse soldiers loaded these weapons well before an engagement took place. I can see why a soldier would want to carry as many of these guns as he could afford( yet again another case of more is better :) ). How snug is that bullet and powder charge in the barrel? I would worry that they could move around a bit, after some hard riding. Great video!
I'm proud there are still craftsman who still exist that can make things just as beautiful as back in the day. I'm very impressed that in slow motion the recoil goes straight back with very little muzzle rise, if any. I saw the video of the three Frenchmen shooting matchlocks and a wheel lock pistol, but they didn't show the officer winding his pistol, but he shot it three times in a row. How many shots do you get with one winding? I imagine it varies, but I always thought it was one shot and then you had to rewind as part of the loading process. Do you have to relax the spring for storage or can you trust it keeping its strength over time?
I know this type of gun but had never seen it shoot, it is much more efficient than the flintlock, but also probably given the complexity of the mechanism, much more expensive to manufacture, This may explain the more common use of flintlock.
I've read the wheellock was a huge stepping stone in firearms that's often overlooked by the flintlock ignition. Gone was the smoldering fuse of the matchlock and for the first time people could carry a firearm concealed that was ready to be fired. It really changed the dynamics of conflict in any form. The slugs make me wonder if anyone thought of making a pointed tip like an arrow to help with aerodynamics or accidentally stumbled upon it. (You know people are always tinkering.) I couldn't imagine medicine used to dealing with slashes, cuts, and arrow wounds having to deal with the new technology-not to mention the debris carried in and channel cut by the bullet.
Of course most of the battlefields from the English Civil Wars had very little disturbance during WW2 . These were indeed point blank or contact weapons designed to be placed against armour , weather helm , back or breast plate before discharging . Good surviving armours always shows a 'proof ball' dent . Cartridges had been in production for some time and the Royal Armouries in the UK have many fine examples of 16th Cuirassier cartridges boxes made by armourers and containing a wooden block with around 5 cartride holes typically , and a brace of pistols would be holstered in front either side of the saddle with turn up flaps to cover the lock , which were turned down before use . Mungeam records the issue of cartridge boxes to the New Model Army Dragoons around 1100 were made for 1000 dragoones under Col John Okey but none are known to survive and would have been of 'ammunition' quality , thin metal covering the wooden block . The contemporary account of the Battle of Marston Moor details how the battle was influenced by the rapidity and accuracy of shot from the dragoons , so clearly a faster method of loading and shooting was being used here and from the Sulby Hedges at Naseby to disrupt Prince Ruperts cavalry charge . Also at that battle the Eastern Association Dragoons kept the Kings whole right flank of cavalry off the field , enabling Cromwells Cavalry to return to the field to envelope the Kings army from the rear .The fact that these may have been simple woodblocks drilled to take the cartridge and wrapped with buff leather may have something to do with the fact that none of these examples survive . The ball would have been patched with either thin " shambo" ( chamois) leather ( the unusable trimmings from the skin) soaked in tallow and beeswax of some other cloth like linen or baise with the same lubricant . Badly cast lead balls were often chewed to make them fit ! There are many accounts of lead being stripped from houses and churches to make balls and during the Siege of Lyme Regis , having run out of lead , pewter buttons from the clothing were fired . The wheel lock fell out of favour as the springs weren't up to modern metallurgical standards and set soft when spanned . The Snaphance had a short but useful life while the Spanish developed the Migulet Lock . Eventually the English Doglock with hammer hook safety became the norm . Later Dragoons in England were issued with both a long arm and a brace of pistols as contemporary drill manuals describe . 'Screwed' ( rifled) pistols were made and Prince Rupert carried a pair during the English Civil Wars . Also in this period Harman Barne a London gunmaker of note also made the first repeating rifle in which both ball and powder was carried in the stock and loaded and cocked by pivoting the long trigger guard forward through 90° and back again . A powerful pump up airgun had been built by Swedish gunsmiths for deer hunting for King Gustav Adolphus . Both the Swedes and Poles played a remarkable role in the 30 years war , the Poles still using lancers in their cavalry ranks as well as firearms , the Polish Lancers becoming famed for the use of this weapon , while the lance had completely disappeared from the battlefield in the English military arsenal during this period only to make a revival centuries later . For fun and reenactment purposes I built a fully functioning snaphance many decades ago as none were on the the field . The beauty of this piece is that it could be carried cocked and not " spanned" like a wheel lock before use , AND made safe when both primed and loaded by simply pushing the frizzen out of battery which was held with a stiff spring . When required to shoot , the frizzen would be dropped onto the pan cover , which was moved out of the way by an internal pushrod by the forward motion of the hammer exposing the priming powder . In 1625 ( after Charles 1 coronation,) the 'Council of Warre' regulations laid down the regulation of '16 balls to the pound rowling ' making the bore around 15-16mm ( 5/8") diameter but harquebusiers already had matchlocks with larger bores around 12 bore . Senior officers also carried belt clip pistols of around 1/2" bore for personal protection if they lost favour with their subordinates . All accounts of this can be found in the British Library .
Thank you for another enjoyable and informative episode of experimental archaeology. It would be interesting to see what the ballistics would be of the "school bus" over wadding more typical of that in civil use for ball or shot in smoothbores. In my limited reading of 17th-19th century sources (mostly British and North American) and of experiments by modern shooters, it appaers that 1 to 1.5 calibers of packed material (rags, crumpled paper, leather shreds, or fiber [jute, flax, shredded cedar bark, grass, etc.]) is required for a reliable seal under shot or ball, with thickness varying somewhat with material. Punched wads of leather or card seem to have been uncommon except among the well-to-do, and even there more likely in later times. If I may add one more pedantic point, I strongly suspect that some sort of lighter over-shot wadding would have been used to keep the slug in place in actual use, as it was with wadded ball or shot.
Very interesting about slugs. I've been learning more about 17th century ammo types like double-moulded bullets and oval ones, this method of crafting slugs is very cool
It is in fact my favorite gun channel on TH-cam in beautiful, bright Hunglish language.
Yes! A scientific professional study.
This is not Paul Harrell.
What about Gun Jesus ?,
I ám from Hungary too
These Polish reproduction wheel locks are beautiful and very high quality.
They look even sturdier than 17c originals. I saw a lot of Suhl-made mass-produced wheel-locks that had weaker trigger guards and flimsy ramrod rings.
What's the price for these polish reproductions?
Where can I get a pair
Finally some wheel locks in action. That's the most beautiful and sophisticated ignition mechanism ever invented. I'd love to see more matchlocks too.
Even though it is not Christmas, a 22 minutes video of a dual Wheelock pistol is seriously a great treat. Thank you Capandball. :)
Thanks for the likes, I have never had a comment that has more than 10 likes -_-
Fascinating. This sort of testing is enormously valuable to let us know how such weapons were actually used and what they could actually do. In context with historical sources, they give a degree of clarity that is simply not possible without this kind of testing,
Got to love experimental archeology!
Nerd
Yes and no. Unless produced with period tools then modern machining, bullets and gunpowder would be expected to radically increase accuracy beyond that achievable by period pieces. That said it's definitely worth doing and gives insights pure reading doesn't provide
@@nath9091 That's a very valid point!
@@Gigachadly So?
"Let's fire the school bus into the gelatin" is the funniest thing I've heard in a while. Great video as always!
Those slugs were the literal definition of "If it works well enough, it works"
Fascinating video, always appreciative of the educational content this channel provides.
That's a beautiful pair of pistols. Consider me jealous.
right? I bet he totally did not sit the entire evening in front of his TV with both pistols in hand for two weeks straight after he got them haha
@@peteraugust5295 :) Let me have a pic please!
You know he did. Stroking them.
Capandball: "Everybody had to have at least one firearm"
Ottoman Akinji and Russian Baskirs: 😔🏹
hmm if its a matter of bows vs muskets id say the bows are no worse of. Muskets are easier to train large numbers to use buut if trained archers go against muskets itd be a blood bath all round. Of course that's assuming tha tthe guys with bows dont run away due to the BANG :P
@@sabo55 There's a very funny account of a French general(Baron de Marbot) who was fighting the Russians at the Battle of Leipzig(1813), and chastised their Bashkirs who principally fought with bows because they weren't well trained to shoot in an organized fashion which lead to the Bashkirs loosing arcing volleys which were inaccurate and lacking in power, and he described them as, "In fact the Baskirs, having no other arms, are undoubtedly the world’s least dangerous troops."
Ironically this French general was wounded in the leg by a Bashkir arrow.
@@sabo55 the bows could shoot faster but the lead balls did much more damage if they hit anywhere.
@@sabo55 I live in a region where 5% of the population is Bashkir. The city museum presents composite Bashkir bows, very complex in technology. The Bashkir cavalry used them until the beginning of the nineteenth century. The range and accuracy are not worse than smooth-bore rifles, the rate of fire is very high. They used their bows to shoot from the saddle and presented a very big problem for the rifle-armed infantry. During the movement of Napoleon's army to Moscow and the subsequent flight of its remnants back to Europe, Bashkir horse archers made constant night raids on the French camps. Night, surprise attack and retreat are what they have always loved.
But these people learned horseback riding and archery from early childhood and all their lives, this is a way of life.
@@colbunkmust He was lucky that, according to their custom, they did not store the arrowhead that had wounded him in the decaying corpse of the horse.
Capnball is the only channel I get to see things like this. Thank you.
Given the technology at the time I'd say these were adequately accurate given the intended use and range of these. I'm impressed!
This is my absolute favorite Magyar gun channel.
One of the most consistent quality gun videos on the net to be honest.
The fellow that built those pistols should be very proud of his work. Craftsmanship is not appreciated much anymore. But, I recognize it when I see it…and I acknowledge it.
good for you mate
Love your channel man it’s made me pursue history as an educational interest! I have used your research in college papers never had a problem
The grace of that brace!! Beautiful pistols.
Straight stylin' with the dual wielding in the intro. Wheellocks are freaking beautiful.
Didn't they survive as heavily ornate hunting weapons for a while after the flintlocks where introduced? I understand it that it's main drowback was that they where more complicated and expensive. As such they never really took of as a weapon for mass armies of foot soldiers that mostly went from fuse lock to flint lock due to this.
What magnificent brace of pistols. My congratulations to the gunsmith... and you!
Thank you for taking the time to make this video for us Capandball
What a beautiful brace of pistols!
That brace is exquisite! Absolutely gorgeous. I have never seen a wheel lock fired before and was fascinated by the slow motion footage.
This is the first time I have seen a wheel-lock firing. It was a much better system than I thought. Thank you for the video.
Those wheellocks are truly works of art. Fantastic video as always.
Thank you so much for such an educational presentation. The testing was of a level few other firearm channels have. The introduction of the hammered slug was interesting it would have been nice to see some examples that had been retrieved from one of the battlefields you mentioned. Please keep up the good work, we in America should take a lesson from your reverence of historical firearms.
Stay tuned for more!
@@capandball Maybe you could try to take a look at a Russian Berdan rifle?
How awesome it must be to have this gem of a guy as your teacher lol
Yes it is my favorite channel, the wide range of variety keeps bringing me back. But I have to say the early colt videos are very enjoyable to watch again and again
I have been a muzzle loader since 1979. This was the most fascinating video I have ever watched on the subject. The pistols are gorgeous, accurate, and versatile. It was amazing to me how accurate the paper cartridge tied on to the sprue was. I thought it would tumble. It would have been extra deadly because it left the sprue and some paper in the wound. I wonder if the paper acted as a stabilizer like the fletching on an arrow or bolt to keep the ball+sprue from tumbling @25 m? I also love your scrimshawed deer tine powder flasks. Did you make them?
Dear Robert, thanks for the good words, yes I made both horns.
@@capandballHello ! I don't understand English very well. Please tell me, do you sell these reproductions of flintlock pistols? What is the price in dollars?
I really appreciate the close-up shots here and the level of detail. Beautiful guns and hope you find a reason to update us again with the wheel lock
I like your channel because you have a very clear accent, with my English I understand 90% of your words in any video.
Oh we've been waiting for this! I have to say the lapel microphone is working really well and the audio is great.
What a beautiful brace of pistols! Your videos have inspired me to finally get into blackpowder shooting!
Glorious reproductions; your friend is a gunsmith of excellence and artistry.
Absolutely gorgeous design on these pistols, especially with the little Fleur De Lis-shaped release for the priming pan cover. I'll gladly admit I like AR's and AK's as much as the next guy, but nothing compares to the beauty of flintlock/wheellock antiques and the artistic level of craftsmanship that went into making these weapons. Especially when you consider the fact that these firearms were born from a pre-industrial society. No conveyor belts, no robots on an assembly line. These were all made by human hands, slowly and painstakingly, to the precision that was needed both for the weapon to be safe and to function adequately. And that's to say nothing of the ingenuity it took to come up with these ignition designs in the first place.
I'm very fond of your channel. This video takes it to a whole new level. Well done.
Excellent presentation! I had no clear idea before today how the wheel lock functioned.
Another way to form (rather than pour) a correct sized slug is to drive a larger sized ball through a section of barrel of the the correct caliber for the pistol or musket/rifle. Obviously, this works best for a ball only slightly bigger than the intended caliber, but I found it useful on occasion when I did not have the correct mold.
The most elegant pistol I have ever seen Formidable yet beautiful and quite frankly a masterpiece 🙂 greetings from Texas
( formidable for the people being shot )
This channel is very well produced and presented. peaked my interest in historical firearms. Best wishes from Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Those are a beautiful brace of pistols.
Man, I wish there was high speed footage of the sprue-ball and slugs. I bet the sprue-balls spun like mad going towards their target.
Stay tuned!
@@capandball
Oho! Now I'm excited!
Excellent video. I have made and shot English wheel lock pistols and have found them to also be accurate and powerful.
that looks like it would be extremely satisfying to shoot. Just closing the little gate on top of the priming powder looked satisfying.
This just proves that contrary to popular belief, smoothbore muskets and pistols were accurate to an extant and not just wild inaccurate weapons
Lovely vid, i am very suprised at how hard those pistols seem to hit.. i can easily imagine them emptying saddles in a melee!
Indeed , for that matter , should do respectfully well on the enemy Horse !
Later Flint and Percussion locks were less expensive to manufacture , and simplier to maintain , but as far as power and accuracy , they would compare favorably throughout the remainder of the Single Shot Pistol Era for another 200 or so years .
this looks a incredible fun hobby , handling all the processes
Its rare that wheel lock pistol covered. the pistols lovely and I must say its quite a fashion for army to have one back in the day
Fascinating the results with the tied ball with sprue!
Interesting analysis.
The lock mechanism on the pistols if that is correct terminology is stunningly well done. Over all the craftsmanship of each is fabulous.
I found it interesting seeing the on the spot projectile manufacturing as well. I must say your 25 meter shots with tight fitting round ball showed they were capable of darn good accruacy.
Hunglish is so relaxing to listen to. Thanks.
Science and historical research combined make for compelling viewing. The first group of 5 was most impressive, especially the two in essentially the same hole.
Many thanks for this video! Didn't know about the slugs usage for the short ranges, it has such a devastating effect!
Seriously point blank only though. Were as the others could be used up to 40 or 50 meters with good effect. I'll pass on the slug, the paper cartridge looked to be all around superior.
Have you ever tested Silk in front of the Balistic Gel Block to see if Silk really stops foreign matter being dragged into the wound?
This will part of the experimental archaeology project I mentioned.
@@capandball - Great, looking forward to that one.
Interesting and thank you for the excellent videos. 60 grains is double the charge I use on my Pietta Colt 1860 reproduction. Keep up the good work.
Capandball stated that the weight of a normal power charge is a third of the bullet weight. Actually, it works out closer to a quarter of the bullet weight. He stated the ball diameter was .530. Ergo: .530 round ball (without sprue) = 224 grains lead... 224 grains / 4 = 56 grains powder.
Your 1860 Colt Army's bore is .44 caliber. .440 round ball = 128 grains lead... 128 grains / 4 = 32 grains powder. However, usually a larger ball is used in the 1860, up to .454" diameter. A .454 round ball = 141 grains lead... 141 grains / 4 = 35.25 grains powder. Note that it is common for 1860 shooters to use less powder (e.g. 20 grains) for improved accuracy.
@@DigitizedReflections yes , I heard him say all those things as well. My 1860 prefers a full charge of 30 grains with a 128 grain .440 round ball. 20 grains gives terrible accuracy in mine.
It was because of this channel that I got into black powder shooting. I bought my firearm a few months ago (a New Model Army from Pietta) and love shooting it when I can.
Great choice!
Pretty damn accurate really. Excellent video on the wheel locks pistols. Those are a fine example too. Very very nice.
Thank you sharing with us! Greetings from Germany!
Excellent video, thank you for the work you put into making and editing all the videos on your channel.
Beautiful guns..we forget how desperate fighting was back then.
Simply amazing at every level.
Excellent video, very complete!
I wish that one day, be it in a decade or more, you'd collaborate with Ian McCollum on some project, even though the two of you are more complementary: he is less interested in muzzleloaders and you're less into XXth century stuff (except repros).... but who knows!
Love your channel. Not into guns anymore (bows are my fancy) but your love for them is nice to see and learning from someone passionate about what they are about is the best way to learn
Great video of a beautiful pair of wheel locks, such gems.
These pistols are fascinating to see.
I've always loved these types of firearms. The look, aesthetics, curved handles, engraving, etc. I remember seeing a few of these pistol kits at flea markets as a kid, and my father always made fun of me because I wanted one of these. He said, "Hahaha! If you tried to pull that thing on the Terminator he'd laugh at you."
Even then, I knew that response was dumb on more than one level.
For flintlock pistols they actually have a fair reaction time from pull to punch . I use to have a 58 calibre muzzle loader Confederate Enfield , but alas I sold Her . You have rekindled my interest . I'm a professional shooter culling Razorbacks Ferrel dogs and Roos in Australia and mainly use 30-06 , 222 , 303 World War 1 model that seen action in France and Belgium plus 12 gague and a 22 for small stuff like Ferrel cat and rabbits down South . Thank you for rekindling my interest in all things black powder . PS you are one hell of a shot my friend . Cheers from Australia kindest Regards Dan 👍
Thank you so much for cover such unique firearms in great detail!
thanks. those are very beautiful pistols.
When you said slug. I was thinking of like a shotgun slug, conically shaped, or Minnie ball shaped projectile. I guess this was a way of mass produced and/ or field expedient way of producing projectiles with limited resources. I sure it would have worked in volley fire or CQB. I need to go back watch the previous cited sources or other videos. I bought a CVA .54 rifle and bullet mold out a pawn shop in Oklahoma 3 years ago. Haven't done anything with it yet. This could be my other hobby. I enjoy your videos for the quality of content. Thanks! 😍
“Hung-lish”…. Keep it up sir lol the brace is absolutely beautiful. I want a pair
Wonderfull video and gorgeous pistols.
Very nice. Thank you for the historical information and accuracy.
I agree that one MUST shoot and use a gun to understand its history. I carry an 1851 repro on my desert walks and I now understand that weapon inside and out. For a rabbit gun there’s nothing better.
Those pistols are beautiful.
CAPANDBALL ,,,,,,The Boss of the Black stuff....💥💥💥
Imagine reload speeds accurately portrayed in AC Black Flag. You'd be reloading your pistols in a bush for a good five minutes.
Those are beautiful pistols! This is the first time I have ever seen a wheel lock loaded and fired, makes me want to own one. I assume that horse soldiers loaded these weapons well before an engagement took place. I can see why a soldier would want to carry as many of these guns as he could afford( yet again another case of more is better :) ). How snug is that bullet and powder charge in the barrel? I would worry that they could move around a bit, after some hard riding. Great video!
Your Hungarian opinion is much different than that of many in the States, and it's quite unique. Thank you for sharing!
Yeah, winged hussars carried two that pistols in their holsters too, among any other weapons... I love your channel .
Here in the USA, when we carry a spare handgun, it's called a "New York reload". 😃
:)
I would love to see these projectiles tested on Paul Harrels meat target
Should be simple to extrapolate. Imagine a 20ga Foster style slug , download about 200 fps .
Wow that is some incredibly shooting
now those are some damn cool looking pistols
and thus whole vid was super interesting
I find it amazing how fast the ignition is.
My after dinner treat. Viewed while enjoying crumb cake and espresso.
Excellent presentation as always.
Beautiful pistols and beautifully informative video. Thank you
I'm proud there are still craftsman who still exist that can make things just as beautiful as back in the day. I'm very impressed that in slow motion the recoil goes straight back with very little muzzle rise, if any.
I saw the video of the three Frenchmen shooting matchlocks and a wheel lock pistol, but they didn't show the officer winding his pistol, but he shot it three times in a row. How many shots do you get with one winding? I imagine it varies, but I always thought it was one shot and then you had to rewind as part of the loading process. Do you have to relax the spring for storage or can you trust it keeping its strength over time?
I know this type of gun but had never seen it shoot, it is much more efficient than the flintlock, but also probably given the complexity of the mechanism, much more expensive to manufacture, This may explain the more common use of flintlock.
Great video, as always! Truly a professional job.
I've read the wheellock was a huge stepping stone in firearms that's often overlooked by the flintlock ignition. Gone was the smoldering fuse of the matchlock and for the first time people could carry a firearm concealed that was ready to be fired. It really changed the dynamics of conflict in any form.
The slugs make me wonder if anyone thought of making a pointed tip like an arrow to help with aerodynamics or accidentally stumbled upon it. (You know people are always tinkering.) I couldn't imagine medicine used to dealing with slashes, cuts, and arrow wounds having to deal with the new technology-not to mention the debris carried in and channel cut by the bullet.
I always loved the aesthetics of the wheel lock
Hey, that is good shooting with wheel locks. Very impressive.
Of course most of the battlefields from the English Civil Wars had very little disturbance during WW2 . These were indeed point blank or contact weapons designed to be placed against armour , weather helm , back or breast plate before discharging . Good surviving armours always shows a 'proof ball' dent . Cartridges had been in production for some time and the Royal Armouries in the UK have many fine examples of 16th Cuirassier cartridges boxes made by armourers and containing a wooden block with around 5 cartride holes typically , and a brace of pistols would be holstered in front either side of the saddle with turn up flaps to cover the lock , which were turned down before use .
Mungeam records the issue of cartridge boxes to the New Model Army Dragoons around 1100 were made for 1000 dragoones under Col John Okey but none are known to survive and would have been of 'ammunition' quality , thin metal covering the wooden block . The contemporary account of the Battle of Marston Moor details how the battle was influenced by the rapidity and accuracy of shot from the dragoons , so clearly a faster method of loading and shooting was being used here and from the Sulby Hedges at Naseby to disrupt Prince Ruperts cavalry charge . Also at that battle the Eastern Association Dragoons kept the Kings whole right flank of cavalry off the field , enabling Cromwells Cavalry to return to the field to envelope the Kings army from the rear .The fact that these may have been simple woodblocks drilled to take the cartridge and wrapped with buff leather may have something to do with the fact that none of these examples survive . The ball would have been patched with either thin " shambo" ( chamois) leather ( the unusable trimmings from the skin) soaked in tallow and beeswax of some other cloth like linen or baise with the same lubricant . Badly cast lead balls were often chewed to make them fit ! There are many accounts of lead being stripped from houses and churches to make balls and during the Siege of Lyme Regis , having run out of lead , pewter buttons from the clothing were fired . The wheel lock fell out of favour as the springs weren't up to modern metallurgical standards and set soft when spanned . The Snaphance had a short but useful life while the Spanish developed the Migulet Lock . Eventually the English Doglock with hammer hook safety became the norm . Later Dragoons in England were issued with both a long arm and a brace of pistols as contemporary drill manuals describe .
'Screwed' ( rifled) pistols were made and Prince Rupert carried a pair during the English Civil Wars . Also in this period Harman Barne a London gunmaker of note also made the first repeating rifle in which both ball and powder was carried in the stock and loaded and cocked by pivoting the long trigger guard forward through 90° and back again .
A powerful pump up airgun had been built by Swedish gunsmiths for deer hunting for King Gustav Adolphus . Both the Swedes and Poles played a remarkable role in the 30 years war , the Poles still using lancers in their cavalry ranks as well as firearms , the Polish Lancers becoming famed for the use of this weapon , while the lance had completely disappeared from the battlefield in the English military arsenal during this period only to make a revival centuries later .
For fun and reenactment purposes I built a fully functioning snaphance many decades ago as none were on the the field . The beauty of this piece is that it could be carried cocked and not " spanned" like a wheel lock before use , AND made safe when both primed and loaded by simply pushing the frizzen out of battery which was held with a stiff spring . When required to shoot , the frizzen would be dropped onto the pan cover , which was moved out of the way by an internal pushrod by the forward motion of the hammer exposing the priming powder .
In 1625 ( after Charles 1 coronation,) the 'Council of Warre' regulations laid down the regulation of '16 balls to the pound rowling ' making the bore around 15-16mm ( 5/8") diameter but harquebusiers already had matchlocks with larger bores around 12 bore . Senior officers also carried belt clip pistols of around 1/2" bore for personal protection if they lost favour with their subordinates .
All accounts of this can be found in the British Library .
Thanks for the comment! Good info indeed!
Those are beautiful reproductions.
Awesome video! Now I want a wheel lock pistol but they are quite rare...
Thank you for another enjoyable and informative episode of experimental archaeology. It would be interesting to see what the ballistics would be of the "school bus" over wadding more typical of that in civil use for ball or shot in smoothbores. In my limited reading of 17th-19th century sources (mostly British and North American) and of experiments by modern shooters, it appaers that 1 to 1.5 calibers of packed material (rags, crumpled paper, leather shreds, or fiber [jute, flax, shredded cedar bark, grass, etc.]) is required for a reliable seal under shot or ball, with thickness varying somewhat with material. Punched wads of leather or card seem to have been uncommon except among the well-to-do, and even there more likely in later times. If I may add one more pedantic point, I strongly suspect that some sort of lighter over-shot wadding would have been used to keep the slug in place in actual use, as it was with wadded ball or shot.
Hunglish? I always enjoy and learn very much from your videos!
Very beautiful Pistols.....Thanks so very very much....Excellent fun video....From Kentucky...!
Very interesting about slugs. I've been learning more about 17th century ammo types like double-moulded bullets and oval ones, this method of crafting slugs is very cool
These hammered slugs were mainly misinterpreted in papers, so that's my contribution to the subject. :)
@@capandball Im very interested in pirates and I think the slugs would've been great in the close confines of a ship
The Poles made great weaponry and beautifuly crafted !
Lol i am facinated by all weaponary from age of sail..personal to ship guns.. And i have to say this is also my favorite channel