As I remember, looking at Grand Dad's collection (he had an original "lock" for a wheellock). Quite a complex item, but fairly reliable for it's time. As I understand, a chain is wound against a spring, locked, then "fired" by the trigger, rotating a friction wheel against a flint, showering the pan with sparks. Well maintained, I suspect that it would be reliable. The match lock, not so much. Either would be fun, and quite a conversation starter, but I suspect the wheellock would be more satisfactory. Good luck with it!Looking to move down from my cap and ball muzzle loader to either a wheel lock or match lock for deer hunting --have hunted for 50 year with cap and ball. Am looking for any input of anyone that has used one or other for hunting?
wheel lock is nothing more than a big Bic lighter that ignites powder not gas -- More moving parts than a flintlock muzzle loader.s I remember, looking at Grand Dad's collection (he had an original "lock" for a wheellock). Quite a complex item, but fairly reliable for it's time. As I understand, a chain is wound against a spring, locked, then "fired" by the trigger, rotating a friction wheel against a flint, showering the pan with sparks. Well maintained, I suspect that it would be reliable. The match lock, not so much. Either would be fun, and quite a conversation starter, but I suspect
I have seen match locks in competition -- My question would be keeping the wick glowing for a full hunt - Secondly would be the smell -- Wheel lock would be a bit slower than a flinter, but much less work. Either case I think a good shooting stick would be in order.
Pretty cool to shoot a deer with a glowing cord and black powder also. I would lay money not one of those F-ship match lock shooters have got a deer -- Thier was a time that was the go-to weapon.pretty cool if you're into glowing cords and black powder.
I believe they tended to be more used in static type formations. They had no stocks, with just hand grips and very long barrels, so kind of awkward to use.Great information -It would have to be built with a rifle barrel - and sights -I would load pre-dawn on my stand and nurse the wick for an hour and change guns. just amazes me using them in Battle. Had a chance to hold a Japanese snap match muzzle loader, not a clue how you would mount and shoot that thing?