"Pike & Shotte matchlocks vs firelocks" Topic

Any difference ruleswise between these two firearms?

Firelocks were usually reserved for troops guarding supply trains. In Warhammer ECW, I don't think it makes much difference between firelocks and matchlocks. I believe matchlocks predominated the 17th century English battlefield during the first Civil War. Think the New Model Army got a bunch of firelocks later in the second and third Civil Wars when they fought the Scots and the Irish.

Unless you run a nighttime scenario where burning matchcord would give away your position to the enemy, I don't think you really have anything to worry about.

Blake

I think the difference between the two would be so slight. I guess most firelocks were lighter muskets but I can't see that making a huge amount of difference in a battle situation, or at least in the way we wargame battles.

The WRG rules by Gush did give +1 to firelocks when firing. The choice is yours!

So no difference in range, fire factors etc then?

No – they're firing the same thing with the same charge of black powder. Why would they have a longer range?

Thought there might be a reason the weapons are specifically identified as either matchlock or firelock in the army lists. If they are identical in terms of rules, why not just call them muskets?

It all has to do with the "kind" of fire-lock. Are you speaking of a snaphaunce, or a true flintlock, with a more reliable "sparking" success? With a quicker rate of fire, b/c of less concern for fumbling with loose powder and a lit match, firelocks could be supplimented with fewer pikes, but still needed that defence from the horse….enter the bayonet. Rather plug or socket, this was the ultimate consequence from abandoning the former, and adopting the latter.

So the answer is based on the role of these two weapons, particuarly in melee.

ilodic.

While I have owned and fired live both the Matchlock and Doglock I would give only slight advantages to the Doglock. Most of the advantages would have little bearing in wargaming . The main comparison of importance would be effective range,accuracy and speed of use . On these point the two are about equal . The Doglock is a bit lighter and probaly more effective in wet weather ie .. you could keep the Doglock frizen and pan dry under a pice of leather etc..While the match would be a bit more difficult to keep dry . Just my 2cents