Topic: How weak is the Tanegashima matchlock spring

I heard that spring for snap type matchlock should be quick but not strong. Is there any video for the mechanism at work. I have no idea how fast/slow the spring should be.  smile

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Re: How weak is the Tanegashima matchlock spring

sissara wrote:

I heard that spring for snap type matchlock should be quick but not strong. Is there any video for the mechanism at work. I have no idea how fast/slow the spring should be.  smile

You don't want a strong one, because it could possibly just snuff out the matchcord without firing.  The main thing is that the cord is delivered to the primer pan. 

Here are a couple videos I did of mine.  The first is just a short clip (also with a flintlock pistol).  The second was last fall at the Korea Military Academy; in that one, I had long hangfires, due to a problem with my matchcord delivery (the "yongdu" [serpentine] is set too far forward, so the matchcord does not hit the priming pan well; I have to get that fixed). 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlUCUVNdMsQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwWAQWUld24

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Re: How weak is the Tanegashima matchlock spring

bluelake wrote:
sissara wrote:

I heard that spring for snap type matchlock should be quick but not strong. Is there any video for the mechanism at work. I have no idea how fast/slow the spring should be.  smile

You don't want a strong one, because it could possibly just snuff out the matchcord without firing.  The main thing is that the cord is delivered to the primer pan. 

Here are a couple videos I did of mine.  The first is just a short clip (also with a flintlock pistol).  The second was last fall at the Korea Military Academy; in that one, I had long hangfires, due to a problem with my matchcord delivery (the "yongdu" [serpentine] is set too far forward, so the matchcord does not hit the priming pan well; I have to get that fixed). 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlUCUVNdMsQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwWAQWUld24

Many thanks, I had seen the first one but the image is not very clear. The second one is very clear and helpful. Thank you very much.

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Re: How weak is the Tanegashima matchlock spring

This Friday, Korea's KBS TV is interviewing me and having me demonstrate the matchlock (and maybe bow/arrow) for their show "History Special".  Hopefully, I will get the serpentine fixed by tomorrow.

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