Demonstration of a 1611 Matchlock Musket

Historical Interpreter John Pagano presents a detailed presentation and demonstration of DeGeyn's Manual of Arms for the early 17th century Matchlock Musket.
*DISCLAIMER* This video is not intended to be used as a training video, but instead as an educational resource and demonstration. The interpreters at Henricus Historical Park are trained professionals with years of black powder experience. Please DO NOT attempt to fire a black powder musket without the direct supervision of a trained and experienced black powder specialist.
www.henricus.org
Henricus Historical Park
251 Henricus Park Rd.
Chester, VA

[@soplet6121]

Even after 12 years, teaches me most detailed methods and tips about matchlock musket.

[@MBsaturnus]

08:13 my girlfriend issues that command too from time to time

[@user-ht4gb2fw4e]

Hah! SHE ain't gonna OWN me bro!! SHE can't find me!! Never!! Even if she brings the Handcuffs!!

[@Henricus1611]

The hat is a great 17th century hat from DIRTY BILLY HATS in Gettysburg, PA. It goes for around $175 for a wool felted hat and up to $300 or so for fur. I highly recommend. John Pagano, Historical Interpretation Supervisor

[@CoryMcCrazy]

Extremely informative!!! Thank you for keeping the knowledge of these old ways alive and as authentic as you can. Very awesome. Great to watch

[@joseywales6146]

Thanks! As a "modern" soldier we still followed much of this manual of arms. Of course, it's more ceremonial/ administrative than functional now but it's fascinating to see where these drill commands originated. Semper Fi!

[@alanpeterson6224]

I can see why he has armor on. He'd have 50 arrows in him before he could get a shot off.

[@xinfinity8532]

Alan Peterson lol

[@chaplainjamesthicc305]

The difference is that if you're lucky and don't get the wound infected, you could actually survive an arrow. Remember we're not talking about medieval European warbows with a draw weight of 120 pounds minimum. The natives never had to deal with the level of armour Europeans had, this type of equipment would have been even more common in Europe in the early 17th c. Cuirassiers and german Reiters were known to wear bulletproof armour, you can find pieces with test dents around museums in Europe and probably in the US aswell.

[@MARKINAU8]

That's for hanging a dozen grenades around the torso

[@TheRiyad1]

Ironically guns were much more effective against superior armored European armies than to inferior Native American troops. Guns and musketeers can rip trough any Armour that the Europeans could produce and do it so with very little training or skill that's why armour dissapeared in Europe, simply because it was not effective anymore. Natives on the other hand had no Armour to begin with.

[@Neomalthusiano]

The armor is to have a place on the chest where he can rest the stock. It makes the aiming process much faster. You will notice a small shaft on the ribs from the front.

[@genericpersonx333]

An excellent and detailed description. For myself, I think it would work even better if after the detailed step-by-step, one then saw the process at a typical battle speed, so as to get a better feel for the pace of shooting the people of the town would expect of their soldiers. Some might get the false impression that all shooting was expected to take 5 minutes to perform.

[@jeffyoung60]

+Eustace Stritchers Had the people in 1611 invented the self-contained paper cartridge - round bullet, gunpowder charge used for main propellant and priming - the reloading process would have been speeded up by invaluable seconds, possibly by as much as 8 seconds.

[@LutzDerLurch]

Very nice to hear someone talking, who knows what was and is real. The Musket has a terrible reputation, as has it's user. And People rather believe the Myths of Soldiers not aiming, not training and Muskets not hitting a Barn at 5 feet Distance. When in reality Tests with replicas, originals and Tests done in the Period all suggest a fairly effective weapon. Which only was rendered much less effective in actual Combat by Soldiers under stress being bad shots. Same as today, I dare say.

[@Henricus1611]

The natives in Virginia in our period rarely trumped organized bodies of English musketeers. The combination of armor and numbers with firepower was typically enough to intimidate moderate size war parties coming on behalf of Powhatan or his subalterns. The Indians were effective at hitting work details operating isoalted from the defenses. There were some noted hand to hand fights, sometimes going the native way and some the English...depending on motivation of the moment. John Pagano

[@Verdunveteran]

Great video! Love the infantry hanger aswell!

[@NormanMatchem]

I'm fairly certain that the paper cartridge is more than just 213 years old. It was in the early 1800s that the Baker Rifle seen widespread adoption. The main advantages of the Baker was first and foremost; rifling. Giving a spin to the musket ball improved accuracy. Second would be the shortened barrel I imagine. Smoothbore muskets often had 40"+ long barrels. The Baker had substantially less than that, around the length of an M91/30 or No.1 Lee Enfield. At the time, practically a carbine.

[@rafaelllaban4115]

The reason the Baker was shorter however was because the process of rifling at the time was very difficult, this would be compounded by a long barrel. Also, muskets of the time had long barrels in order that they may lend a little more accuracy to the smooth bored weapon and also so that the musket could effectively be used as a spear with the bayonet affixed at the end of the barrel

[@jordanwalsh1691]

It's worth noting that when the presenter refers to De Gheyn's Manual of Arms, the De Gheyn in question was Jacob De Gheyn II, who was responsible for providing the illustrations which were turned into printing plates for "The Exercise of Arms for Calivers, Muskets, and Pikes". After looking around a bit, I can't find any evidence that De Gheyn had military experience, since he seems to have been a lifelong artist, and it seems more likely in my estimation that the important information and the poses De Gheyn illustrated were provided either by Maurice of Orange, who commissioned the book, or by someone else with actual military knowledge who was involved in the effort. So, yes there was a book that taught you how to use weapons, yes De Gheyn was involved, but in my opinion to say stuff like De Gheyn thinks this and De Gheyn wants you to do that, is almost certainly misleading, since De Gheyn was just illustrating what he was paid to illustrate. Note that I am not a historian, and only did some basic research, but I think this is a small misconception on the part of the presenter.

[@plinkbottle]

Flintlock must have been a welcome change, so much buggering around with the match.

[@scelonferdi]

Actually at this point the snaplock (inferior version of the flintlock basically) was already around for ~70 years. It's just that you didn't have much actual millitary in the colonies, only some militias that didn't enjoy any high priority for modern equipment. The Spaniards used matchlocks for even longer in their colonies.

[@BoxOfficeVegasLLC]

Nice presentation! I’d like to find more demonstrations of antique weapons

[@LutzDerLurch]

I can't wait to finish my own Matchlock Musket. I'm copying a nice early 1600s Piece from the Emden Armoury, with a nice Forquett.

[@idrinkwine]

First, a good man can load in 30 seconds. He was slow because he was demonstrating and explaining. Second, he's carrying a sword as a backup weapon. Third, there is usually a metal plate on the butt of the musket making it a big war club in a pinch. Fourth, in European battles he would not normally operate alone but in large units. Another man would shoot you, or a rank of pikeman would be there to provide protection. An officer would have a pistol as a backup for such occasions.

[@AccordingtoBear]

@thestarsandbars wheellocks followed matchlocks. They used flint in their mechanism. By the mid C17, wheellock pistols were seen alongside matchlock muskets, but were very rare as they were crazy expensive and a bit of a pain to make and maintain in combat (effectively like having a very sensitive watch mechanism on the side of your pistol). By the time wheel locks had been perfected,the dogjaw style flint lock was in use :)

[@Lucius1958]

Wheellocks generally used pyrites to provide the spark. There was, apparently, a predecessor of the wheellock from about 1400, sometimes called a "monk's gun", where a flat rasp was pulled back by hand.

[@emarkjones]

Fascinating. It is good that history can be kept real in this way.

[@hoodoo2001]

Excellent presentation. Thank you!

[@53imperial]

Probably as many men killed by friendly fire setting the match. What a dangerous weapon to set up in a firefight.

[@hoodoo2001]

Part of the art of war always has been the setting up and maneuvering of troops. There were rules, like don't fire artillery over your own men and don't put musketmen behind the pike line although sometimes musketmen would be in the pike line. Muskets were often used as skirmishers and flankers for the soldiers with the primary weapon of the period the Pike.

[@stephenodell9688]

Drill, drill, drill until you do every step quickly and with out thinking. like driving a car, you don't think about the process of driving you just do it while your attention is on the road.

[@bcwoodsman876]

Excellent demonstration and explanation

[@Henricus1611]

As far as the effectiveness and maximum elements of range. The expert shots in this period have nothing that spoils their craft of shooting, so, at ranges of 200 yards, they usually are guaging their shots in a way that our sniper schools teach fellows at ranges at or over 800-1200 yards, where wind, humidity, elevation, etc. all come into play. Average shots could hit stargets at two football fields distance, but much of that was done in siege lines where some men were in fixed positions. JP

[@ra777wow]

Great job explaining the steps of the matchlock I really enjoyed the video and hope to see more from the time period ! thanks.

[@adventureguy4119]

beautiful demonstration bravo!

[@daveybernard1056]

Very nice demo. THANKS

[@LutzDerLurch]

NormanMatchem, the Paper cartridge itself is way older than the Baker Rifle. But as far as I am aware using a patched ball stitched to the paper Cartridge was the innovation with the Use of the Baker. The Baker itself wasn't that extraordinairy either. Rifled Barrel, short Gun, these were all found in earlier Rifles, too.

[@mtslyh]

Great video! Thanks for sharing this.

[@Atzy]

"Effective range" means the distance at which you can assume to hit the target you are aiming at. Before miné balls, balls for muskets were sub-caliber so they would easily drop into the barrel. This means that when you fire, the ball goes bouncing down the lenght of the barrel and it's going to end up going not-exactly-where-you aim regardless of how good you are. This does limit your range because of the inherant inaccuracy. Massive volley firing may make up for it, but only as a group effort

[@Helvetorment]

Very educational video, thank you very much!

[@andrewsuryali]

I think you're missing Eric's point. He's not saying that in combat NOBODY fights at more than 120 yds. He's saying that, on AVERAGE, modern soldiers engage at around 120 yds, which is more or less correct because the prevalence of MOUT engagements in the past decade has skewed the average down from the 200 yds of the previous decade. You gave an example that was OUT OF THE ORDINARY to a guy who was talking about the average engagement ranges.

[@NormanMatchem]

The issue with smoothbores isn't the powder loading, it's the fact that there's no rifling. No spinning motion to keep the bullet stabilized there-by allowing it to stay on course as it flies. With no spin, the musket ball could go any which way. Because of this, one man with one musket is generally not much of a threat beyond 80m, a 100m hit on a man-sized target would be pure luck, 200m is nigh impossible. With a rifled musket, you can go a few hundred metres with a good powder loading/shooter

[@VityazRD]

I used to live by Henricus, great park to visit if you're in Central Virginia

[@SirPetterTheFirst]

That exaggerated recoil gave me cancer

[@axelord4ever]

Since it's loaded to blank-fire and at half charge, there's no appreciable recoil. The movement was demonstrative of a loaded shot, even if a little exaggerated. Remember, this is a drill. Are you dead yet?

[@mikegrossberg8624]

I have a .50 caliber flintlock rifle, from which I have fired real(not blank) loads. While not as heavy as a military musket, there IS significant recoil at combat loads

[@NormanMatchem]

It wasn't until the turn of the century when the British adopted the Baker Rifle did they first try using rifled muskets. The fact that Americans welcomed this new type of firearm so quickly made a big difference in the revolutionary war, though I personally think the biggest obstruction by the British that lead to American Independence was the fact that it took several months for the old ship-o-the-lines to get from England to North America. Whether it be for troops, navy, or just news.

[@mikegrossberg8624]

Actually, the Colonials didn't start winning battles until they learned how to use the musket like the British did. The rifle was a fine sniper weapon, but far too slow to load, and it had no provision for fixing a bayonet, both of which kept it from being a battle line weapon

[@BatMan-ke4ov]

shooting starts at 8:35

[@somebadpainter1120]

Danke dir

[@NormanMatchem]

There was a recent fight in Afghanistan or Iraq a couple years ago. Some US troops were pinned down by insurgent 'sniper' fire from 500m away or so, and were recieving hits. Later on they managed to get the shooters, who turned out to be armed with 70 year old Lee Enfields with irons. I don't care what the internet tells you, but modern FIREARMS have been used VERY accurately IN ACTUAL COMBAT beyond a measly 120m. As for muskets which would you rather, a dozen MAYBE hits or a dozen CERTAIN hits?

[@mikegrossberg8624]

If those "maybe" hits take three minutes to fire, and the dozen "certain" hits take EIGHT minutes to fire, while the enemy is approaching across a 100yd field at, say, 30 feet every second, I think most people would choose QUANTITY over QUALITY

[@historicaltrekking]

Excellent, well presented. I will post this on my blog. Regards, Keith. A Woodsrunner's Diary (blog).

[@AlexPrestage]

@Thrawn6211 I believe that the term Cuirass would refer to just the breast plate, however breastplate was the more widely accepted synonym as Cuir in French is leather you can see the word stem. (maybe it was associated with leather forms of protection or is an C18th term) I do reenactment of 1645 and surrounding years and we call it a back and breast. Hope that helps.

[@Thrawn6211]

@AlexPrestage Ah, thanks, I've heard the 18th century cavalry armor called a cuirass, as well as Alexandrian-era breastplates, so I'm sure people use it in a more broadened spectrum than was intended.

[@charared1]

Great info! Where did you get the Caliver?

[@LutzDerLurch]

As far as I know, a great innovation with the baker rifle was the use of paper cartridges with a stitched on patched ball. Prior to that: loooong reload, or no boost in accuracy.

[@bendiksbendiks1859]

very good

[@AlexPrestage]

@DNchap1417 Strickly speaking "matches" did not exist...you had sulphur splints to transfer fire not start it. Keeping your match dry is a knack and you can vary the heat it burns with and so how well it burns in adverse conditions.

[@MarchOn74]

Where did you get your latchet shoes?

[@Scamullis]

Where could I buy an outfit almost exactly like that?

[@Henricus1611]

"200 yards my ass" - what does that mean? In an open fight, like some were in the Low Countries, it would take a trained shot a few rounds to get that distance, which for an individual target would not usually happen, but for an officer or ensign carrying a color, which are locked in straight linear movement, they could be had. It would take me persoanlly on 3-4 shots to get arc on the distance, which if I miss at 200 yards, I would have the target around 130-150. John Pagano

[@FearDivinity]

@theend1011 He said the ball will travel 200 yards. He didn't say what the EFFECTIVE RANGE IS (i.e. how far out it will be accurate). But way to take what he said out of context.

[@17461771]

@runescape44411 The first English colony in North America was Roanoke Colony (also known as "The lost colony". Its location was in present day North Carolina and was established in 1585.

[@NormanMatchem]

Ah, I see. You're right, shooting en masse at a big group can provide more distance. They continued making sights that allowed long distance volley fire right up until WWII. SMLE (1907), M91/30 (1930), and Kar98k (1935) rifles had sights going from 100-2000m. Generally the farthest one EXPERT shooter can go with one of those is 800-1000m. Then SVT40 (1940) and M44 (1944) went 100-1500m, and SKS (1945) can go 100-1000m though one 7.62x39mm can't usually hit anything beyond 400-500m.

[@Atzy]

"Bouncing" might be an exaggeration, but balls could not be cast to a snug fit even if you wanted it, because powder fouling would cause balls with a diameter too close to that of the barrel to get stuck after a few shot. As you say, loosely fitting. I think we are referring to the same issue but using slightly different language. The loose fit and of course as you say, the difference in powder quality and weight for each shot is going to make the system inherently ill-suited for sharp shooting.

[@VonDeliriumTremens]

Yes, lack of rifling is another, very important factor. It was my mistake I didn't make myself clear, because I was referring to the typical situation of the era, i.e. shooting into a mass of troops, not targeting solitary human target (I agree, beyond ~60 meters hitting a man was more luck than skill). Load was of some importance because too big one could cause shooting over the target, so one could miss every single target in the unit.

[@YPO6]

How usual is it to historical time period reenactors to cast their own projectiles and make gunpowders following that periods recipes and manufacturing processes?

[@Thrawn6211]

wouldn't his "back and breast armor" be called a Cuirass, or am I mistaken. Honest question.

[@mikepaul3200]

Funny how 400 years later the loadout is similar for the modern military. Granted weapons and armor advance. But loadout is the same.

[@MrTHECLASSICPRO]

So gunpowder goes in the bowl and in the top?

[@DNchap1417]

is the match cord a one-shot trigger mechanism or can it be be reused to fire subsequent rounds/musket balls?

[@mikegrossberg8624]

The match continues to burn. The only way to extinguish it is by soaking or smothering

[@NormanMatchem]

Smoothbore muskets are inaccurate no matter how accurate the loading, that's why it was necessary to perform volley fire to give the greatest chance of inflicting casualties on the enemy. Without rifling, one man with one musket is generally limited to 80m at best, might get the target at 100m if he's lucky, 200m is a dream. Without rifling, there's no twist to the bullet, which gives it the stability that prevents it from flying off God-knows-where.

[@Oldtimeypistolero]

Stupid question but what kind of hat is that and where can I get one?

[@drogomuircastle7175]

It's perfectly ordinary 17th century man's hat. Any decent re-enactment supplier will sell you one.

[@patrickhearne9035]

What was the range of a firearm like that? I mean how far could it fire

[@jeffyoung60]

+Patrick Hearne The reenactor said, 200 yards for the range. But he omitted the 'effective' range. The effective range of the matchlock and the flintlock was 80 yards for aiming purposes. After 80 yards, the bullet had lost enough accuracy and would miss a enemy soldier, maybe barely, but still a miss.

[@NormanMatchem]

So what? Rifled muskets allow you to choose your target, like a Sergeant, Lieutenant, or Officer and if you've got your sights lined up, a proper charge behind your ball, and not too hasty to pull the trigger, it's almost guaranteed. Smoothbores don't randomly shoot left or right, they go where they want, could be way over the line, or just hit dirt. Now to burst your bubble, I don't know where you get your stats, but modern rifles are accurate to bare minimum 400m, and that's including the AKM

[@Tuckahoe1918]

So John... what is it, a musket or a caliver?

[@AlexPrestage]

@DNchap1417 You reload, you shoot one shot and then reload. Just the one shot to each loading.

[@crosisofborg5524]

At least soldiers back then had days off from the war when it rained.

[@wyattguilliams2621]

But how fast can you do all that during an actual fight?

[@hisstatus]

Like 4 times a minute

[@parthiancapitalist2733]

Englishman and Cowboy mix gone wrong

[@VonDeliriumTremens]

Accuracy of the early guns was actually not so bad. The ball wasn't as much 'bouncing' as they were very loosely fitting the bore. The real problem was the lack of standardization. Every ball and every batch of powder (and every load, actually) were a bit different. Not much but usually enough to sent every shot somewhere else. It's not so obvious with modern replicas and loads as they are made to much higher standards.

[@abeam91]

3:30 that background sounds, seems like the enemy is calling for an air strike.

[@LutzDerLurch]

Well, EVERY Weapon spreads it's Bullets on any of an unlimited Number of possible Trajectories. And whilst a smoothbore Musket is spreading it's shots far more than modern rifles, the musket is much much...MUUUCH more accurate than 99.5% of the people on this planet think.

[@remington-michael-1969]

Patrick H- About 200yd. Ref. 2'28"

[@DNchap1417]

@Soothfish: You can reigniteit with a lighter or a pack of matchsticks which soldiers always had just in case.

[@mikegrossberg8624]

Unless you're referring to flint and steel alone, no lighter. Matches weren't in common usage till the 1800's

[@brettduffy1992]

Original or repo

[@mikegrossberg8624]

No mention here of the fact that the bandolier of powder charges was referred to as "the Twelve Apostles"

[@fredscholpp5838]

Because it simply wasn't. John has searched for evidence of it, and so have I, absolutely nothing! So Hats off to John for not using this made-up rubbish!

[@HomeMadeGunNut]

No1 Has Been Able To Answer Me This Yet, How Would They Make A Match? Please Answer Thanks :)

[@ChristmasEve777]

Is this the origin of using the word "fire" to discharge a gun? With the original musket, you were literally touching a burning match to the gunpowder, like with a cannon.

[@citizenhal]

@1x93cm I think 32, but that might be the one used as standard in the English Civil War.

[@NormanMatchem]

Rifles were at least 3 times more accurate than a smooth bore, potentially more so depending on the powder load and shooter. Speed wise, it doesn't take a whole lot longer to load a rifled musket given lots of practice and some strong arms. Baker Rifle 13 shots, 5 minutes (23 seconds per shot) /watch?v=Eqz7XLkyx8Y Brown Bess 3 shots, 46 seconds (15 seconds per shot) /watch?v=SJMbxZ1k9NQ Granted the Bess vid may have been using blanks, but it's not a HUGE difference. Like a Lee Enfield VS Mosin.

[@damico.j1004]

The shot can go 200 yards yeah, but good look hitting what you're aiming for. Smoothbore barrel, and a round shot do not make straight bullet paths. The ball rolls out of the barrel and can go literally ANY direction expect backwards.

[@kittylactose]

I like the garb.

[@DanH34]

Is he the guy from Lionheart FIlmworks?

[@runescape44411]

1607 was jamestown!! the first english colony!! ohh yea!!! I didn't even have to look that up!!

[@sharpe4295]

So when and how would a soldier light the match? Would he keep the match burning all day as he marched or could he light the match at a moment's notice?

[@mrdwhitey4737]

+sharpe4295 When on march with potential for combat corporals would have a lit match at all times to light the matches of the troopers in his file. I would expect in fortifications or guard duty the soldiers on guard would have an always lit match. They used a lot of matchcord each day.

[@STho205]

+Mr Whitey. That is correct. Standing the guard would entail burning down an entire loop or more of match, hopefully for no reason to fire on an "alls well" night. Corporal of the guard would tie the spare match cord into various knotted loops and typically carry them upon the shoulder or their helmets/caps. When cold match, flintlocks, surplanted these small arms, then the corporal of artillery would be the last to carry those spare loops, except ceremonially. As in, the loops are still carried in full enlisted dress.

[@billmelater6470]

Why does he fake the recoil?

[@LutzDerLurch]

@roopr True...Idiot-Proof Step-by-Step Instructions for the Training, and simplified, more rapid procedures for the actual Fighting.

[@Fishfingers232]

Rifles weren't miracle weapons, there were cases where Redcoats managed to get in range of Riflemen and simply outshoot them because the rifles took ages to reload.

[@jeffyoung60]

I noticed that it is difficult to find modern reproductions of a matchlock musket anywhere. It is probably for good, legal, liability reasons. The matchlock musket, although reliable and functional, would always be hazardous to use because of its lit, burning match which needed to stay lit during combat operations. I can see where the loss of any concentration and carelessness would result in injury or death to the operator.

[@chrismead1464]

veteran arms sell a lovely match lock as does military heritage. With Military heritage, the vent hole is not there, so you have to have a gun smith drill it out for you. I was thinking of getting a match lock but will probably not, to temperamental in my opinion. So i"ll probably go with a flint lock or cap and ball blunderbus and a rifle. The rifle for hunting and the blunderbus for fun.

[@parthiancapitalist2733]

Jesus Christ. Imagine being in a battle field with guns and cannons filling the air with smoke, and fire being carried to your gun and you end up shooting your general. Just a mess!!!! And getting shot with a lead ball, breaking your bones and poisoning you. Scary af

[@parthiancapitalist2733]

But at least they weren't rotting in trenches

[@lordalastor99]

@Metaldude1945: They probably fired in turns with one group firing while another reloaded.

[@JAIRMOREN0]

That's what they did

[@thecraftinfluffy149]

2:06 swore he said left tit lollmao

[@blan_k4691]

Couldn't you just light a match and set it on the grapple? Would take a second to shoot although reloading is a different story. Grabbing a decent plasma rifle at hand would be more convenient though. Those conqestadores...

[@makarios5946]

Why weren't they using paper cartridges?

[@emorynguyen1583]

I’m guessing they haven’t been invented yet

[@SuperEpicWin]

@Soothfish exactly, thats why they upgraded to flintlock

[@bigmoniesponge]

Uhm, you know you can reply to comments right?

[@SuperEpicWin]

@@bigmoniesponge seeing this comment was 9 years old, have you considered KZbin comment may have displayed it weird or the comment I was replying to was deleted? If you scroll through the comments on this video you will see much of the same. Sorry to ruin your moment of "sounding smart"

[@bigmoniesponge]

@@SuperEpicWin Oh I wasnt trying to sound smart I was just saying. Didnt realize my bad.

[@SuperEpicWin]

@@bigmoniesponge all good

[@desthomas8747]

Wrong type of priming powder container, when you open the top you leave a large amount of powder exposed, they had a small nipple to let out a small amount of primer, a safer version had a spring loaded closure device inside a tube, so you could only expose enought powder to fill the priming pan, also there is a "blow of lose powder" order required.

[@JFuzzman]

@Metaldude1945 Well they did have canons back then, next you have to realize that they had great dragoons even then, .. so most of the time it would be enough to scare the native tribals.

[@adrian_zombturtle148]

8:37 wow thats alot of recoil lol cx

[@pommel47]

Very good demonstration, but I would rather defend myself with a longbow.

[@hoodoo2001]

As a purely individual defensive weapon the longbow was superior but as a military weapon the matchlock was more effective overall and despite the drill was easier for the average soldier to master.

[@GUAVcis06]

I would too but longbows take a long time to train how to properly be effective with it. Any moron can pick up a gun and be taught how to load and fire.

[@VRichardsn]

The longbow seems like a very attractive option... until you have to draw one. It can be very exhausting!

[@fritzduquesne3691]

hoodoo2001 A warbow of a 150lbs had the muzzle energy comparable to a 22LR cartridge with none of the accuracy. The longbow was never meant to be used in individual combat like the arquebus was.

[@ukrevolutionaryarmy5044]

So this is what John Smith(explorer) fought with when he founded Jamestown....mmm did you know he was born in Willoughby, Lincolnshire in England ^_^

[@ThatBethesdaGuy]

Who cared where he was from ....

[@YPO6]

Tommy Srygley His mother, father, relatives, he himself, historians, people interested in history, strangers he met back then...

[@ThatBethesdaGuy]

YPO6 no he was saying it as though he himself was proud to be english. Obviously didnt like the english.

[@camilomontoya7412]

Matchlock ignites much faster than flintlock it seems

[@benharkin4909]

+ca mo With a flintlock the sparks have to land in the pan. With a matchlock the spark goes right in the powder.

[@jeffyoung60]

+ca mo I'm glad you noticed that too. I first watched a matchlock demonstration on KZbin over a year ago and was astonished that the matchlock seemed to fire as fast as a modern firearm, faster than a flintlock. You always see and hear the flintlock priming explosion and then the main detonation a microsecond after. There is no microsecond in a matchlock. There are no primary and main detonations. There is just one detonation like a modern firearm. No wonder the matchlock lasted as long as it did. It fired reliably and fast. The flintlock had its obvious advantages over the matchlock but still the soldiers and officers must have noticed the difference back then.

[@STho205]

+Grande Artiste. Not quite. Delays in flint fire is caused by over charging the pan. Sisss Boom. Same happens in overprimed matchlocks. Notice this demonstrator used only a half the pan of prime. Correctly done for either system. I've had 100 men properly trained, pull their trigger on flints and one immediate report. The match lock application arm is typically slower than a proper flint musket hammer throw, so the immediacy of either system is balanced. I shoot both as well as percussion. All get immediate fire if the man is well practiced. Flints do have the advantage over match in the rain. I can usually get 8 or ten in a solid rain with flint, especially that I can prime, load cartridge and fire in under 18 seconds. Percussion has the advantage on both in the rain, as long as you use cartridge.

[@deepsouthredneck1]

Flintlocks are just as fast when using real black powder. Some reinactors make the mistake of priming the pan with blackpowder substitutes rather than real black powder which has a delay.

[@STho205]

+dreyrugr. I don't know a single field reenactor that primes with anything but black powder. Park workers often do goofy things as it is just a job (not their guns) and typically some park administrator (with almost no mechanical experience) tells them what to do. NPS parks have proper schools, but even they do some quirky things based on how effite the park director and staff is. Most field reenactors use rolled cartridge to fire, thus (unless a fine rifle using priming horn) they prime with the first grains of the cartridge after tearing, and then the rest goes down the barrel as the infantry musket manuals command. Over filling a pan causes a delay or hang fire. Competition shooters often use just a few granules in the pan. A well tuned firelock will go off even with an empty pan, sparking only the granule or two against the touch. Delay prime will throw off your aim.

[@runescape44411]

@freemansbunker replica I would say..

[@evangannon5394]

70 meters was the range

[@LutzDerLurch]

The british used rifles much earlier.

[@deny.nurdin]

Wait... So we must turn on and off match 🔥 in every single shot???? 😱

[@secutorprimus]

No, it stays on.