- Collection type
- Object
- Description
- Matchlock long gun with a curved stock, uncovered flash pan, and serpentine and trigger in one. The gun does not have a ramrod but is muzzle-loading. [MdeA 18/11/2008]
- Person
- Maker Unknown Maker
- Field collector Unknown Collector
- PRM source Augustus Henry Lane Fox Pitt Rivers founding collection
- Date / Period
- Date made: Circa 1750-1825
- Date collected
- Prior to 1874
- Acquisition information
- Donated: 1884
- Materials and processes
- Material Iron Metal, Material Wood Plant, Material Copper Metal, Material Animal Leather Skin, Material Animal Bone, Process Carved, Process Cast, Process Forged (Metal), Process Inlaid, Process Perforated, Process Knotted
- Dimensions
- Length: max 1408 mm, Width: max 51 mm
- Object numbers
- Accession number: 1884.27.7 Other numbers: 6 1120
- Research and responses
From 1851 Pitt Rivers was interested in the development of new firearms as a result of his work for the Schools of Musketry. This object was probably part of this work. Stone [qv]: 'One of the simplest forms of [match]lock is sometimes found in Formosa and China. In it the serpentine is pivoted in front of the pan and the top of it is connected by a string to the middle of the trigger which is loosely hung from the stock fig 333'[Stone, 1934: 441][AP Leverhulme project on founding collection 1995-1998]
Information from Peter Dekker (De Foro Manchu Archery: http://www.mandarinmansion.com/manchuarchery) following his visit as a member of the Society for the Promotion of Traditional Archery (SPTA) on 28 April 2011: "A standard pattern military matchlock of above average quality and workmanship, most likely carried by an officer of a firearms division. Probably dating from the 18th to early 19th century." [HH 22/08/2011]
Search terms: Firearm Weapon, Weapon, Firearm
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