Matchlock musket, 1645 (c)

Musket with trigger lock, rectangular lock plate held by two nails; rectangular pan (missing pan cover) and fishtail butt. 10 bore/ 100mm calibre. Octagonal barrel blending into a round section. Match holder retains butterfly screw. 'RI' mark on top of barrel. Three grooves decoration across the middle of the barrel. Replacement ramrod.

When this weapon's trigger was pulled a slow-burning match was lowered to ignite the powder in the pan. Matchlocks were inaccurate and most effective when fired in massed volleys at close range. Some musketeers carried a forked rest to support the gun and aid accuracy.