Early Barrels in the National Museum of Helsinki, Finland

[Matchlock]

I owe the image to the Russian forum Terra Teutonica, and the additional info to our brilliant member Alexander (Spiridonov), who visited me and my collection only two months ago! ;) :cool: :eek:

Illustrated from top to bottom:

- haquebut barrel, ca. 1490
- haquebut barrel, ca. 1500, the hook obviously a later working addition
- two early 15th c. short barrels

Thank you so much, Alexander,
and hoping to see more from here soon.
Best as always,

Mikhail

[kronckew]

:) i thought from the title you meant one of these:

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s231/kronckew/Lock%20Knives/lockers002_DCE.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s231/kronckew/Lock%20Knives/lockers005_DCE.jpg

[Matchlock]

Thanks a lot, Kronckew,

I'm afraid though yours are not exactly close to the ones illustrated ... ;) :cool: :cool:

Best,
Michael

[kronckew]

i agree, barrel knives and arquebus barrels are only distantly related.

what calibre were those by the way, i imagine they were fairly big bore. must have kicked like a mule. i've seen pictures of stocks for similar ones where they were butted on the chest rather than the shoulder in order to absorb the recoil easier. would be cool to see what these would have looked like with stocks.

also would be interesting to see the blades that are in the background, which i would guess are contemporary & would be the arquebuser's backup during the excruciatingly long reload cycle.