matchlocks
Early ignition guns
Matchlocks are early firearms that use a slow-burning cord (the match) to ignite gunpowder.
The mechanism holds the lit match and lowers it into the flash pan when the trigger is pulled.
Developed in the 15th century, matchlocks were the first firearms with a mechanical firing system, preceding flintlocks and percussion caps.
The museum displayed matchlocks from the colonial era.
Muzzle-loaded infantry firearm
- arquebusEarly portable firearm
- flintlockFlint-sparked firearm mechanism
- muzzleloaderGun loaded through barrel
- smoothboreBarrel without internal grooves
firearm · gunpowder · ignition · serpentine · trigger · barrel · stock · ramrod
Curving in repeated bends
- smolderingBurning slowly, no flame
- cordFlexible twisted strand
- clampDevice for holding tight
- triggerWhat initiates action
sear · spring · pivot · pan · flash · ignition · priming · powder
Early portable firearm
- MughalIndian Islamic imperial dynasty
- OttomanMember of Turkish dynasty
- MingChinese imperial era, 1368–1644
- samuraiFeudal Japanese military caste
conquistador · infantry · musketeer · gunner · warfare · colonial · feudal · battle
Old valued collectible
- replicaFaithful scaled reproduction
- reproductionCopying or procreation
- restorationReturning something to condition
- artifactHuman-made historical object
museum · auction · provenance · patina · preservation · display · rarity · authentication
musket
Muzzle-loaded infantry firearm
- arquebusEarly portable firearm
- flintlockFlint-sparked firearm mechanism
- muzzleloaderGun loaded through barrel
smoothbore · firearm · gunpowder · ignition · serpentine · trigger · barrel · stock · ramrod · wadding
serpentine
Curving in repeated bends
- smolderingBurning slowly, no flame
- cordFlexible twisted strand
- clampDevice for holding tight
trigger · sear · spring · pivot · pan · flash · ignition · priming · powder · spark
arquebus
Early portable firearm
- MughalIndian Islamic imperial dynasty
- OttomanMember of Turkish dynasty
- MingChinese imperial era, 1368–1644
samurai · conquistador · infantry · musketeer · gunner · warfare · colonial · feudal · battle · siege
antique
Old valued collectible
- replicaFaithful scaled reproduction
- reproductionCopying or procreation
- restorationReturning something to condition
artifact · museum · auction · provenance · patina · preservation · display · rarity · authentication · appraisal
- armsguns, rifles, pistols, swords, firearms
- naval gunnerynaval gun, cannons, gunnery drills, guns, naval guns
- Sikh EmpirePunjab, Lahore, Koh-i-Noor, Amritsar, Golden Temple
matchlockslaser weapons
Weapons using focused light beams
railguns · assault rifles · submachine guns · guided missiles · longbows