Matchlock Carbine Circa 1590
- Title
- Matchlock Carbine Circa 1590
- Description
- Fine matchlocks like this one from the late 16th or early 17th century are almost nonexistent. Its length suggests that it is a carbine (designed for use by cavalry). The barrel is two-stage octagonal and round with a cannon turned muzzle. Near the breach the barrel has decorative inlays in brass and an obscured maker`s cartouche. The flash pan is attached to the lock, rather than the barrel, as on most early matchlocks. The walnut stock`s butt is of a style that was popular in Brescia and influenced the style in Catalonia. Most of the nail heads on the butt are covered with brass. The butt, trigger plate, and barrel bands are all decorated with Moorish-style inlays. The ramrod has been replaced.
- Creator
- Unknown craftsperson, Spanish
- Source
- (1) Handgonnes and Matchlocks, A preliminary essay in the history of firearms to 1500
(2) Making a Proper Slow Match, A historical review
Simplicissimus by Grimmelshausen (German, published in 1668)
(3) A History of Spanish Firearms by Dr. James D. Lavin (published in 1965) page 43-49 - Publisher
- weaponscollector.com
- Date
- Circa 1590
- Contributor
- Frederick Eugene Williams III (known as Jack Williams), Collector
- Rights
- © weaponscollector.com. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0). Attribution required: "From the F.E. Williams III Collection at weaponscollector.com
- Relation
- The F.E. Williams III Collection of Antique Firearms
- Format
- image/jpeg
- Language
- United States English
- Type
- Still Images; Artifact Documentation
- Identifier
- 111-0073
- Coverage
- Temporal: 16th Century
Spatial: Spain, Catalonia
- Length Type
- Carbine
- Lock Style
- Matchlock
- Loading Mechanism
- Muzzle-Loading
- Stock Material
- Walnut
- Bore Diameter
- 0.65 inches
- Bore Type
- Smooth
- Barrel Length
- 25 7/8 inches
- Overall Firearm Length
- 40 1/8 inches
- Firearm Weight
- 3 lb, 7 1/4 oz
Collection
Tags
Citation
Unknown craftsperson, Spanish, “Matchlock Carbine Circa 1590,” WeaponsCollector.com, accessed December 10, 2025, https://relics.weaponscollector.com/items/show/18.