REME MUSEUM of TECHNOLOGY

A severe handicap to the soldier armed with the 'HANDGUN' or 'CANNON LOCK' to give it its correct designation was the means of ignition. This was usually carried out with the use of a heated wire or glowing embers; either method made it essential to have a fire within reasonable distance.

Sometime during the 14th Century the idea of using some form of cord which would burn slowly, with a glowing end, like a large candle wick, was conceived. The slow burning effect was obtained by soaking the cord in a mixture containing saltpetre and allowing it to dry before use.

This method certainly allowed the soldier to move about more freely, but it was still no easy task to locate the small touch-hole in the heat of battle. Further improvements were made with the introduction of a simple mechanical system known as the 'SERPENTINE'. This was basically a double curved arm pivotted at the centre and secured to the side of the stock. Into the top was fitted the glowing end of the match, pressure on the lower section rotated the arm causing the top to move downwards placing the glowing end on the touch-hole.

From experience it was soon learnt that the longer the barrel, there was more power and greater accuracy, with the result that in a very short space of time barrels had become four or five feet long. As the barrel lengthened so did the wooden body - the portion at the rear being so shaped to allow the weapon to be raised and rested against the shoulder. It was now possible for the user to take some form of aim and barrels were soon fitted with sights. By the middle of the 16th Century the 'MATCHLOCK' had become quite a sophisticated weapon. A more complicated form of firing mechanism replaced the 'SERPENTINE': this took the form of a bar (trigger) extending back under the butt. This allowed easy manipulation of the action without relaxing the grip on the musket.

To enable the powder and ball to be driven firmly down into the breech, a long wooden rod was provided. This was known as the 'scouring stick' or 'ramrod' and for convenience was housed in a recess cut in the stock under the barrel. By this time the musket had become over five foot in length and quite heavy. In fact musketeers were not expected to hold them in the aiming position, so they carried a rest, normally a stick of ash with a metal ferrule at one end and a 'U' shaped metal arm at the other.

Loading a Musket was a complicated business requiring a large number of separate movements:

1. The Musketeer unhitched the slow match from the 'SERPENTINE'.
2. Then filled the pan with priming powder.
3. Transferring the musket to his left hand, he pushed the cap off the charge-holder.
4. Poured an exact measure of powder into the barrel.
5. Rammed the shot home.
6. Replaced the burning end of the slow match back on to the 'SERPENTINE'.
7. He then blew on it to make it glow.
8. The musket was now ready for firing again.

It is claimed that a fully trained MUSKETEER could fire 3 shots a minute.

 
Weapon No 14
Late 16th Century 'Matchlock' Musket

A very early Matchlock Musket, with the stock formed to fit under the armpit. It has a unique barrel, which consists of strips of iron wound in close spirals and hand welded together.

It was dug up from a stream which ran through the Army Apprentices College, Carlisle and renovated in the Small Arms Section of that college. The weapon was probably dropped during a border raid sometime in the reign of James I or Charles I.

 
Weapon No 15
Matchlock Musket (NW Frontier of India)

 
Weapon No 16
Matchlock Musket of Middle East Origin

 
Weapon No 17
Large Bore Musket of Japanese Origin

Weapons 15, 16 and 17 are examples of Matchlock Muskets from Europe and Asia. Although the 'Lock' designs are basically the same, the stocks take a different form, and of course the decorative inlay differs on the barrels.

In some countries the introduction of firearms such as these met with a great deal of opposition. They were considered to be too heavy, unserviceable in the rain, and generally not very effective. In addition, the idea of killing anyone at a distance was thought to be dishonourable. Further to this was the long and tedious procedure of training a Musketeer. During the period of the Thirty Years War it required 163 commands and 99 intervals. By the end of the 17th Century this had been simplified to only 12 commands.

 
Weapon No 410
Muzzle Loading Musket (Persian)

This is a muzzle loading, matchlock musket of Persian origin. It must date back to the early 16th Century. The stock was originally covered with goatskin.

This was presented by Major J B Vickers MBE.