The Matchlock Rifle

I started making parts for this matchlock rifle a year ago. I bought the .58 caliber barrel, but made the rest of the gun from scratch. It replicates a 500 year old gun pattern. People have heard of muzzle loaders, but a matchlock muzzle loader...now that is odd. It uses a smoldering wick which is plunged into the priming powder to ignite the main powder charge.

The video clip shows me shooting the rifle after an unsuccessful hunting trip. I had to unload it...and pulling the trigger lever is the easiest way.