An Early 15th c. Cast-iron Bombard (Steinbüchse) in the Museum of Grandson

[Matchlock]

The German term Steinbüchse denotes that this sort of small cannon was designed to fire stone balls, mostly made of limestone.
No measurements are given, but judging from similar existing examples, I estimate the overall length to be ca. 60 cm.

Originally, this heavy barrel - which is obviously made of cast iron - would have been 'stocked' in some sort of primitive oaken cannon carriage to which it was attached by iron straps. For comparison, I post a completely preserved very similar but wrought-iron (!) sample in the museum of the fortress of Hohensalzburg, Austria, which is about the same size.

Also attached please find an image of a very rare 14th/15th c. limestone cannon ball in my collection.

Author's photographs.

Best,
Michael

[fernando]

Very, very good :cool:
Thanks for sharing :)

[Matchlock]

A very similar mid-15th century cast iron bombard (Steinbüchse) preseved in the Museum of Sursee, Switzerland.

Overall length: 41 cm
Cal. 15 cm, depth of 'bore' only 16 cm, meaning that the stone ball completely filled the bore and the muzzle area!
Breech 19 cm by 5 cm
Weight: no specification


Best,
Michael

[Andi]

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?p=158946#post158946

Here is also an early example of an iron casted small mortar from Veste Oberhaus Museum, Passau Germany, dated to ca. 1400 and described as the oldest known example of an iron casted cannon.

[Matchlock]

Exactly, Andi,


I posted it in this thread:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10029&highlight=passau+museum


Best,
Michael