The easiest way of making match for a musket

Making your match chord or slow match for your arquebus or musket is a skill a musketeer had to master and has to master today as well. Here is probably the simplest method, closely replicating the way it was done in the 17th century.
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[@billskinner623]

By a remarkable coincidence, I am in the process of building a replica of an early 16th century matchlock. This came at exactly the right time. Thank you very much.

[@troy4298]

This man always comes at the right time

[@capandball]

You know that you will have to share some images about the gun with us! :)

[@williamavery9185]

European or japanese interpretaion ?

[@billskinner623]

It will be based on the drawings of the first explorers in N America. I'm trying to copy one by White and Debrie. @@williamavery9185

[@williamavery9185]

@@billskinner623 oviously the early explorers took English and French muskets were the bores very different ? Thanks.

[@Emanmonster13]

I make mine the same way! Of course, I do share the same source for my information. A couple of tidbits I've picked up from experimenting: 1) Use hemp or linen. Cotton doesn't burn right/well 2) Use braided or woven rope instead of twisted. I've had the twisted type of rope unravel as it burns. 3) You can use pure potassium carbonate (50g per liter)

[@capandball]

Interestingly my hemp chord does not unravel, and smoulders a bit hotter I guess as the cotton chords.

[@Emanmonster13]

@@capandball It could have to do with twist rate and "tightness" of the twist. Neat!

[@smittysmith4891]

where do you find hemp cord

[@Emanmonster13]

@@smittysmith4891 I bought my hemp cord from rawganique. Hope that helps!

[@flightlesschicken7769]

Fun fact, wood ash can contain potassium hydroxide and not just carbonates. Hydroxide concentration is related to the age of the ash and the temperature the wood burned out

[@flightlesschicken7769]

@DW WD This is only true if the temperatures are too low to convert the calcium and other carbonates into there respective oxide, which is not always the case. Based on the various wood ash composition papers I have read, they is usually at least some basic oxides, even in regular fires. But it is a function of burn temperature and how old the ash is; as I said already. The idea that wood ash doesn’t ever have basic oxides is justified plain wrong

[@okancanarslan3730]

that flogging of peasants with matchlocks anecdote at the end was brutal. 30 years war may be the worst time for being a commoner in the land where the battles were fought.

[@praevasc4299]

I imagine that when flintlocks started to replace the matchlock, there were some proud matchlock owners who frowned on the new invention "yeah, sure, it's a nice new gadget, but you can't flog your peasants with it!". (just like there were allegedly some in the Old West, when percussion caps started to replace the flintlock, who kept their old Kentucky rifles because they could start a campfire much more quickly and in better style, by putting some dry grass in the pan and firing their gun without a main charge - "I bet you youngster your gun cannot do this!")

[@Specter_1125]

⁠​⁠@@praevasc4299flint locks were invented relatively soon after the match lock, only a few decades. They just took a long while to catch on because they weren’t economically viable to produce large scale and reliably. Same holds true for breach loaders and rifles.

[@CrysResan]

I have to say now I appreciate what a huge step up flintlocks were compared to matchlocks. Caplocks were a step up but it seems way less of a jump forward for ease of use than the jump between flint and match.

[@Bayan1905]

I just ordered a matchlock musket and even though I can get some commercially made slowmatch, now I can make my own, which will keep me totally and 100% without having to buy or look for anything, these days that's not as easy as it once was. Even flints are getting tough to come by where I am!

[@lae52]

As previously mentioned, your timing is great. I am working on turning a small canon (1" bore) into a swivel gun. I have drilled and coned the touch hole and made a linstock for it so far. I still need to make a monkey tail and something different than the current naval carriage. Thanks for posting, I learn something new every time I watch.

[@hiltonian_1260]

Great video! I started out using wood ash lye. I used boiling water and an old t-shirt for making the lye. I use 8mm to 12mm braided hemp rope. I’m the beginning I just bucked it twice, but now I use pure potassium carbonate and a little saltpeter. I tried regular lye, but the match wouldn’t work in damp weather. It’s still a bit like alchemy. Some batches make a nice hot pointed cone, others a round nub that has misfires. I’m trying to figure out if it is the chemicals or the rope. I shoot a 54 caliber 1620s style caliver and compete with it in primitive biathlon. Always great content on capandball.

[@kbjerke]

Wow. A deceptively simple procedure, but very effective!! I'm going to do this just for fun, even though I don't own a matchlock, (yet) it will be a fun exercise. Thank you for sharing! 🙂

[@capandball]

It is also good to replace tinder for your fire starter kit.

[@kbjerke]

@@capandball This was also my exact thought!! Thanks!

[@dalemoss4684]

I read a Dutch East Indies method for making match at sea; it was basically the same as the ash method but urine was used instead of water. Probably because fresh water was too precious at sea and the salt in seawater would produce sparks(?) (Just speculating there)

[@j_freeman3230]

Urine can act to remove the lignin, as it has been used to tan leather. Also composting straw and urine produces saltpeter, maybe some converts in the boiling process?

[@kirkstinson7316]

@@j_freeman3230 Yes it does. Another way to make slow match was to use sheep niter (urine).

[@davefellhoelter1343]

I did urine in my Potash WOW is it Nasty Smelling, have not finished to see how well it works. I did dry it into strange crystal clods.

[@dalemoss4684]

@@davefellhoelter1343 lol

[@j_freeman3230]

@@davefellhoelter1343 lmao, rough. look up cody labs on youtube to ser the whole process to produce salt peter from urine and straw compost. No small at that point.

[@LovesTrains440]

Very useful! I make my own slow match as well but not as good, now I know how!

[@leogazebo5290]

It's a shame the recipes of smellproof and complete waterproof match has been lost in time, maybe on day it'll be rediscover. It makes me wonder do the Chinese, Japanese, Africans, or other European states have similar recipes or is it unique.

[@williamavery9185]

I never thought of that. The burning match must have made hunting more difficult.

[@nicholasmaximus3412]

@@williamavery9185 I've heard the Japanese used matchlocks to keep the deer out of the rice fields

[@williamavery9185]

@@nicholasmaximus3412 No, that was used to keep the captured russian soldiers from getting out.

[@nicholasmaximus3412]

avery lmao

[@grinninggoat5369]

Lost in time to "most", not "all", people.

[@apiFerrari]

i boiled matches yesterday and it works perfectly! great guide! thank you for sharing!

[@kirkstinson7316]

One thing not mentioned here is you can not use any cordage that is or has synthetics

[@capandball]

How true is that! Thanks for the addition!

[@mikepette4422]

fascinating stuff and I still marvel at how beautiful your musket is

[@richardsims1805]

What every good matchlock owner needs to know.

[@Aether-master]

Indeed

[@b.griffin317]

"I know extra knowledge but I won't share it in my book" = hire me!

[@aashishemani2997]

There is this kite thread that I get from a hardware store nearby, it burns almost like a match, but it is much more thinner, and burns quickly.

[@paulsly7246]

A great and informative video.I Never looked into how the match was made.I Always use flint or percussion ignition. Thanks for sharing from Australia

[@frankgaletzka8477]

Thank you for the advise to make the Cord. The times the guy in the book lives were very different from the times today . The discribtion of the way they harm the enemy is for us brutal and inhuman but that was the time . War is not a clean videogame Thank you for your Video Take care Frank Galetzka

[@archeowoodcraft36]

in late XVII century text From Poland they talk about cooking for, if i remember 12 hours, with ashes (no making lye - just adding ashes to do pot) and... horse manure :)

[@kotaroni]

I'm just making my own homemade musket.but it didn't work and I thought the powder was fake so when I pull it out the powder and set it on fire it explodes my face but thankfully it's just smoke.so I search in Google and found this idea of a matchlock so I begin toake one and I question my self on how about the rope,so I found this video and help me so much.thank you for showing on how to make it you kind sir👍

[@KeiPyn24]

Wonderful work.

[@janvanek9745]

I have an original matchlock that is 230 cm long If you're on Germany some time in the area of Nürnberg than you can get it for free I would really like to see it shooting But there is some work to do on it I don't have the knowledge of doing it So if you want to have it Feel free

[@capandball]

Dear Jan, sound perfect, thank you very much, but you musk know that you have a great value on hand!

[@janvanek9745]

@@capandball i was able to trace it back to the colonial times of India It was confiscatet from the British Empire

[@janvanek9745]

@@capandball I can send you a picture in Instagram

[@redtobertshateshandles]

I just watched a Spanish video of farmers processing hemp for fibre. Heating in lye solution was part of the processing.

[@Blackpowderdad]

Awesome!! Keep the match lock content coming.

[@Rumblestrip]

Thanks for sharing... Interesting information... Something ill hang onto. I can see match cord coming in handy for more then a matchlock.

[@carydagnese5484]

I love old matchlock muskets. Someday i will buy a repro.

[@jharchery4117]

You omitted step one: Ensure your wife is not home if doing this on her kitchen stove.

[@martinmatus7090]

I tried to find something similiar for my musket. Great job.

[@gaston01000]

make one on how to make medieval potassium nitrate

[@capandball]

I was thinking about that. I have a cellar that is full of saltpetre

[@gaston01000]

@@capandball that's a death trap LOL

[@davefellhoelter1343]

@@gaston01000 Na, just good fertilizer, or part of your BP cook book. Salt Peter is safe enough, some food has it as an ingredient.

[@M.M.83-U]

Wonderfull! I'm very interested in matchlock and wheellock, it's sad that they are so scarce and/or expensive.

[@capandball]

Yes, we definitely need a company who would make a matchlock musket in large scale.

[@richardhamilton2952]

Backwoodsman has an add for a company that's making match and flintlock muskets and pistols for less than 600. Us.

[@MorshuArtsInc]

Indeed, it's quite surprising that Pedersoli for example doesn't have a single matchlock or wheellock gun in stock.

[@matteoorlandi856]

@@MorshuArtsInc as far as i know pedersoli is not interested in wheellocks because the knowledge to produce them is yes, still avaible, but that would require a lot of studyes on existing wheellocks to properly recreate them. is that a tragedy? no! because i know an artisan from gardone (the same town where pedersoli has his workshop) that had the dream to bring back to life the wheellock using CNC machining to contain the cost of manifacturing, an a couple of days ago he finished his first gun. now sure it will take a bit to get into production but he says a couple of years and sure i'll be one of his first customers.

[@superduck6288]

It is not an original..this is a replica

[@krockpotbroccoli65]

I finally have a matchlock, I have some 5/16 natural cotton rope, and I have a wood stove full of ash. Time to make some slowmatch.

[@calonarang7378]

Thank you So Much!!! Making a Fire-Cracker Rifle with a matchlock based mechanism and this is a BIG HELP!!!! GOD BLESS YOU!

[@kevin_6217]

I heard an old recipe using lead acetate.

[@ENIGMAXII2112]

Yes..... That fellow from centuries past did sound, well, frightfully friendly...

[@apiFerrari]

great guide! thank you for sharing! Until now my matches burned good but too fast - i used dilution KNO3, so i hope my cords will be much better now - with your "recipe": PS Will you ever come to Komárno/Komárom shooting competion again ? :-)

[@SB-qm5wg]

I always wondered how that worked. TY!

[@kriseckhardt5148]

You are always AMAZING! My girlfriend gets jealous of me watching your videos. She say that “he must be a well Hungarian”. She is naughty.

[@capandball]

:D

[@doppler3237]

Nice touch on opening credit , thank you. No need to reply. I understand.

[@b25mtchll]

Could you post a link to that 16th century manual you were referring to? Sounds like a fascinating read.

[@elitearbor]

I always just used linen braid, soaked with a saturated solution of KNO3.

[@roderickballance6960]

For "Waterproofing" try dry rubbing beeswax thoroughly along the length.

[@davefellhoelter1343]

I think you may be on to the right idea, but straight bees wax may be a bit much? maybe a ratio of tallow, lanoline, butter or a veg oil? to help burn but not too fast? I make my own bore butter and gun oils similar, works good on leather too, great on boots and gloves. I use cheap toilet seals.

[@roderickballance6960]

@@davefellhoelter1343 A very lite coating to repel moisture, too much wax may cause more problems than none; Too much oil may create more smoke and aroma.

[@davefellhoelter1343]

@@roderickballance6960 Ya? My home brewed butters and oil stuff smells very NICE, I put some essential oils and cinnamon when I melt it and mix it.

[@farmerboy916]

Hm. I wonder if the trick is to make a mixture of the other items with wax and or something like cutlers resin to soak the cordage in, or if it’s meant to be a multi step process

[@davefellhoelter1343]

@@farmerboy916 as a "Cutler" I would think this resin to be Way to much, some of the ingredients are most defiantly what our ancestors used.

[@isaal-magyari9203]

Ok so now i know I will need some wood ashes or lye ,saltpetre and some natural fibre rope stout enough to hang my enemies to make my slow match properly. that kinda took a dark turn in the recipe

[@donlanzero9770]

My recipe for the best slow burning match: solve trisodium citrate (Na3C6H5O7) in warm water until its saturated. This stuff is used to make cigerette paper burn slow and steady, therefore it produces a perfect ember on the match. Put your match in the solution and let it soak over night. Take the match out and let dry as shown. The match will burn slow, hot and steady.

[@escoladotirocleber5076]

Essa arma é sem dúvida a mais apaixonante de todas!

[@lexheath8276]

I use a tablespoon of powder in a pint of vinegar. Its worked so far.

[@davefellhoelter1343]

As Much as I LOVE BP! I think I will pass on Match Locks, too much fire to close to me and my BP, but I still want to Know I COULD! Giong out to Puck a batch of BP overnight under 20K pressure, corned the last batch this afternoon! Have two batches of Pot Ash tea going now. Thank You Sir! May I Have Another/

[@sethmullins8346]

I needed this. I just got my handgonne barrel and I am quickly running out of cannon fuse.

[@grinninggoat5369]

Another recipie for slow match.... soak in lead acetate. (Basically, lead dissolved in boiling vinegar after the lignin is removed the way you showed in your video).

[@johndufford5561]

Very nice. Thank you. Well done,Sir.

[@skyjackie5697]

Does it have to be ash from a campfire or could ash from charcoal briquettes also be used?

[@ductileiron98]

Great content as always!

[@j_freeman3230]

Great video. Thanks!

[@konstantinzhdanov5461]

Thank you for a interesting video! 👍

[@pilgrimm23]

question: where did you get your "Twelve Apostles" or did you make them?

[@capandball]

It was made by a friend of mine. I am planning to turn some containers, I have the measurements from an original, but have to find the time to make them...

[@johndufford5561]

What is meant by your term "Twelve Apostles"?

[@capandball]

@@johndufford5561 The powder containers on the bandolier. By the way: I never found any contemporary source calling the apostles. Did anybody find such source, or it is a modern time name?

[@johndufford5561]

Got it. Thanks for replying so quickly. I enjoy the channel very much.

[@bombfog1]

@@capandball I believe this term was used during the English Civil War and Cromwell’s military dictatorship. The Cromwell Museum, when discussing musketeers, makes mention of the “twelve apostles.” I’m trying to find PDF’s of any contemporary military manuals, regulations or Parliamentary legislation regarding Cromwell’s “New Model Army.”

[@ninjabot7945]

I wonder something, could submerging the slow match in hot bee's wax or candle wax be the waterproof version? Or possibly even tree pitch?

[@chasetower6773]

Thanks again

[@M80Ball]

Your wife loves these projects!

[@capandball]

Indeed. :)

[@clongshanks5206]

Can pallets be used to burn/make wood ash? And where can I find a matchlock that I don’t have to modify or drill holes? I’m scared I’ll mess it up 😆

[@willallen7757]

Dogs were like hey he's cooking something .

[@capandball]

:)

[@alexwschan185]

I don't under the torture part quite well, but I am not sure if I wanna...

[@Tammy-un3ql]

Thank you very much👍👍

[@deletdis6173]

Yummy Cord soup 🍲

[@thefanfir]

Was saltpeter mixed in when I wasn't looking?

[@stelleratorsuprise8185]

It is interesting to see how the match is fixed toe the serpentine every time before fire, it would be so much faster if the musketeers did not remove the match before loading ... well, faster and much more dangerous. It seems like the instruction had a lot of safety in it.

[@lutzderlurch7877]

Your first recipe as well as your comments after making matchcord mentioned salt peter. But your process does not show any. May I ask, if you used any SP in your match cord making? Also, the bit about beating the match with a mallet was interesting. have you tried various methods?

[@someguy2741]

Do you recommend grandma or grandpas ashes?

[@mrpotatochu6611]

Very cool

[@MrFantofan]

Hmm, i like the historic Storys.

[@pyrotehnicereels]

The easiest way is to use scented sticks, they are thin, do not go out and burn very slowly.

[@tonyturner9146]

The Chinese used Incense sticks in many of their pistols. In America we have an incense (like) stick that we use to light fireworks... We call them "punks" here in the South. They give you a handful for free when you buy fireworks from the local dealers. They also sell boxes of 100 of them for 3 or 4 dollars. Amazon has 1000 for $13

[@critterjon4061]

Do you know How the slow matches made with potash compare compare to ones made with saltpeter

[@capandball]

The one I made with saltpetre was sparking.

[@laheu]

I realise just how little I know about matchlocks

[@JulienfreeSmith]

Thanks for the great video, what is the liquid added at 05:24? I really hope you can tell me, thank you

[@madrieuk567]

Vinegar

[@JulienfreeSmith]

@@madrieuk567 Thanks! Can't believe it turned out to be it, thanks for telling me otherwise I would never have known.

[@musketman2008]

Where can I find those books you mentioned in your video?

[@خالدالسوري-ظ6م]

What type of rope is used??

[@mymoh]

Can I use soil instead dirt

[@smittysmith4891]

where do you obtain that hemp cord ????

[@sgtstedanko7186]

Hey capnball. Have you made a video about making your own blackpowder?

[@capandball]

We are not allowed to make it in Hungary.

[@sgtstedanko7186]

@@capandball Bummer 😒

[@45auto]

I've seen videos of people making their own BP but I wouldn't try it myself. If you ever choose to try it be forewarned that it is very dangerous.

[@portaldaverdade8343]

Usa gasolina é isopor mergulho o barbante ou cordão de algodão também da Certo.

[@luissantiago5163]

Oh cool

[@Zorglub1966]

Hungarian vermicelli are very weird.

[@dan_the_dj]

Did I miss the part where saltpeter was added?

[@capandball]

No you did not, as saltpetre was not added.

[@dan_the_dj]

@@capandball so the match can still burn without fail? Even in damp weather?

[@capandball]

@@dan_the_dj I have not tried it in rain, but it worked well through the winter.

[@dan_the_dj]

@@capandball good to know, thanks.

[@deldom174]

Génial 😀👌

[@sailorjohnboy2325]

Does your wife know you're using her favorite pot? Hahaha

[@capandball]

:) She is well trained. And me as well. :)

[@capoeiristacurioso7594]

🇧🇷 Opa saudações Brasil parabéns por mais um excelente vídeo você além de simpático explica detalhadamente as coisas nos vídeos Além de ser um grande atirador Posso fazer um pedido de vídeo ? Se possível é claro. . . não querendo ser abusivo nem nada mas. . . Eu gostaria de ver uma derringer de 4 tiros aqui no seu canal Mas está tem um diferencial que não sei se é real ou foi feita apenas para o filme que eu assisti O filme se chama " if you find sartana, pray for your death " Ela aparece nos minutos 2:35 até o 3:07 Com direito a zoom focando apenas nela Ela parece um pequeno revolver de bolso Porém não possui um cilindro rotativo Eu achei uma arma muito linda e talvez vc gostasse de possuir esse exemplar E seria interessante de trazer aqui para o canal se possível Alem de tirar uma dúvida minha seria legal vê-lo atirar e contar mais informações sobre seu mecanismo Grande abraço 😁🇧🇷

[@portaldaverdade8343]

E uma pena eu como fabricante não tem mercado no Brasil dessa arma clássica

[@MartasZLA]

I just soak it in potassium nitrate solution for the night then keep it dry.

[@johnworlein8581]

That would work, but burns much quicker and has the potential to throw sparks

[@MartasZLA]

@@johnworlein8581 Yeah if you make that solution too much rich. You just need to find the best ratio.

[@sukhmangill5643]

But it's hard do see ur super hero growing old 👴👴

[@johnclark1925]

Your wife must love you… 😂 If I hear you are banned from the kitchen I think will know why. 😂

[@capandball]

:D :D You should see her face when I clean my shotgun in the bath. :D

[@parabelumsq2lkt960]

👍👍👍

[@panrandom2127]

I use cigarets and it work good

[@trevorfitzgerald4996]

More adds on your channel.

[@sukhmangill5643]

Ossm

[@matteoorlandi856]

one thing is sure: with your "cousine" skill, your loved one have to be incredibly forbearing.

[@capandball]

Indeed! :D

[@Afro408]

🍿🍿🍿

[@tikkidaddy]

A friend of mine sells an excellent product to be used as tinder for a fire piston etc, . The piston does not get gunked up nearly as bad and the o rings experience far less wear. I am now convinced that this method is what he uses or very close to it, because there is very little smoke , no ash remains and the tinder smolders VERY HOT

[@tikkidaddy]

When compared to charcloth in a fire piston

[@ClassicCase]

Yes, but how can you make a Stinger missile? Asking for a friend.

[@maknifeandrods7701]

Boy your lucky if he did not like your you tube channel you can imagine what he would have done to you. Lol. God help Ukrainia

[@khester7397]

I'm trying to fully understand. They tied knots along the length of the match cord and used it to saw the flesh from their prisoners butts?