Original 16th Century Western European Flemish Style Arquebus Matchlock Musket with Cypher on Butt Stock - Circa 1550 MG 08-15 Maxim and other damage as expected

and other damage as expected from a rifle that saw long use on the frontier

and the 4th Oberschlesischen Infanterie-regiment Nr

with VL on the left

and chrome plating  This naturally increased the retail cost

They came under heavy fire from the Germans while coming ashore

Original 16th Century Western European Flemish Style Arquebus Matchlock Musket with Cypher on Butt Stock - Circa 1550 MG 08-15 Maxim and other damage as expectedOriginal Item: One of a kind. Here we have a fantastic example of the direct ancestor of flintlock muskets, an arquebus matchlock musket purchased out of an old collection where it has been since 1965. These utilized a burning wick held in the arm of the lock, called the cock, which would then touch the flash pan when the large lever on the bottom of the weapon was pulled. This would then ignite the charge in the barrel and send whatever it was loaded