|
Some time about the middle of the 16th Century the 'Snaphaunce' was invented. This was really a modification of the ‘Wheel-lock', which, due to its complicated mechanism and expense of manufacture, was never adopted as a standard infantry weapon. The word 'Snaphaunce' is said to be derived from the Dutch 'Snap-haens' or chicken thief. Another theory is that it refers to the falling cock or hammer being a similar action to a cock pecking. This in German is 'Schnapphann'. There are very few 'Snaphaunce' locks about. The 'Flintlock' is the perfected form of the 'Snaphaunce'. To distinguish one from the other is really quite simple. If the flash-pan is open or has to be uncovered by hand before firing then the weapon is a 'Snaphaunce'. If, on the other hand, the flash-pan cover remains closed and is opened automatically, at the moment of firing, by the flint striking the 'frizen' or cover, then the weapon is a flintlock. The advantages of the 'flintlock' are obvious. Firstly, the weapon could be carried at any angle with no danger of the priming powder falling out, but even more important was the ability to fire the weapon in heavy rain, since the flash-pan was only uncovered at the moment of firing. Whereas, with the 'Snaphaunce' the time that elapsed between uncovering and firing may well have been long enough to allow the fine powder to become damp and therefore useless. The year 1640 is normally accepted as the year of its invention, and it continued to be used in the British Army right down to about 1839. | ||
|
 |
The 'Snaphaunce' musket is made in the original Dutch style, both lock and stock, a Near/Middle East copy of the 17th Century weapon. The first 'Snaphaunce' appeared around 1550, but models were still being made as late as 1885, centuries after its disappearance from the Low Countries.
Weapon No 21
Flintlock Musket
 |
 |
An early 18th Century Musket made by the gunmaker Adams of London. It is not a service arm, but a flintlock sporting gun. Numerous portraits exist of country gentlemen with such weapon, and surrounded by the trophies of the chase.
Weapon No 22
Flintlock Coaching Blunderbuss (Circa 1780)
 |
Made by Twigg of London, this is a flintlock weapon, having a spring loaded bayonet mounted on the top of the barrel with a quick release catch at the hammer. This was an accurate short range weapon of its day. Believed to have been used by Naval boarding parties, hence the bayonet. Should it be necessary to discharge their musket whilst boarding there would be no time to reload, the bayonet was then their only defence. It was also carried on coaches as a defence against the highwaymen.
Weapon No 367
Flintlock Coaching Blunderbuss (Brass)
This is similar in design and age to Weapon No 22. The maker is unknown, but the breech end of the barrel carries old Birmingham gunsmith proof marks.
Weapon No 409
Muzzle Loading Indian Frontier Rifle
Known as the 'Gezail', this rifle was made and used by the North West Frontier tribesmen up to about 1867. This model was presented by the Pakistan Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, in commemoration of the alliance of the two Corps, in September 1954.