The Miquelet

[wulf]

Hi Ricky...You did the summery perfectly for me.
Yes, you do have my permission to post as many as
people can tolorate....I am trying everything with
my lack of computer skills. I started making these
years ago...one pair [not matched] were made 14 yrs
apart...But they do look alike. Just finished a
new one....no particular style but the lock is the
same as the others...

 

[MikeEasy]

In what way do the Montagnard guns have Miquelet locks?

I thought the Miquelet design had sears perpendicular to the rifle stock (horizontal and perpendicular to the barrel when the rifle is aimed level), usually with two penetrations of the stock between the trigger mechanism and the cock/lock spring, pan and frizzen. One penetration was for half cock, the second for full cock.

In the Miquelet design the trigger mechanism (including any trigger springs) is inside the stock but the lock, cock, pan and frizzen and associated springs are mounted outside the stock.

From Wikipedia:

"The features most associated with the miquelet are the horizontal sears, acting through the lockplate, coupled with the external mainspring and the top jaw screw ring. Experts agree that the use of horizontally acting sears is the true defining feature because some variations of the miquelet do not have the external mainspring and/or the large top jaw screw ring. [11]"

The reference [11] is to the book:

Lavin, James D. A History of Spanish Firearms. London: Herbert Jenkins, 1965, p. 148


The two Montagnard guns have everything outside the stock, but otherwise appear to be purely flintlock designs rather than Miquelet.

 

[Zonie]

For what it's worth, I agree with you.

A true Miquelet lock uses a horizontal sear which slides thru the lockplate and engages the cock on the outside.

Neither the Montagnard guns or the "Molinhas" lock which was shown have these features so IMO, they are not Miquelets.