Shooting Dixie Repro

[Peter Bleed]

In a couple of weeks I will be joining my friend and colleague Doug Scott  in some live fire experiments that he is doing to investigate 18^th century flintlock projectiles. Essentially, he is using modern techniques – ballistic gel, chronograph, target control etc. - to study projectile ballistics. The major goal is to assemble information on how ball deformation varies with charge, range, and target. These data will ideally help interpret battlefield debris. And it is a lot of fun.

To add to the mix I’m intending to bring a Dixie Gun Works .50 cal matchlock that I’ve owned for years, but never shot. This may be outside the control set, but I wonder if someone on the NMB might have experience with these guns that they will share. Likewise, if this kind of work is being done in Japan, I would appreciate background and contact information.

Thanks

Peter

[Bugyotsuji]

Peter, there is a long and pretty analytical thread running over on another site by Dave on the east coast of the USA. He and his friend are using two Tanegashima matchlocks of small bore and recording general characterists of firing and target accuracy at different ranges. These include the effects of ball on different armour materials.

Part one: http://nihon-no-katchu.proboards.com/thread/2085/information-couple-hinawajyuu-sale?page=1

Perhaps you could contact him.

This is part two of his thread: http://www.nihonto-yoroi.com/forum/forum/hinawaju-火縄銃-firearms/Japanese-firearms-tanegashima/1336-need-information-on-a-hinawajyuu

 

Mr. Sugawa in Japan, the writer of the one of the few books available in English, who runs a correponding website, also did a few experiments with the Japanese matchlock. (There seem to be problems with the link.)

[Peter Bleed]

Thank you Piers! Indeed, i have tried to stay tuned into the Nihon-no-Katchu forum, but never seemed comfortably able to access it. The NMB - by contrast - is extremely user friendly. The links you forwarded suggest that improvements have been made. Indeed, I found Dave's discussion truly wonderful.

Again, thank you.

Peter