Very little time nowadays to do some sound research on this subject, but Michl did extîensive work on this in his breech loading thread.
Dating these breech blocks has mostly to do with the same stylistic criteria as with normal cannons i think. Also the way they where made, wrought or cast? Cast blocks seem to appear at the 1480-1500. The handle on older specimens is also only fastened at the rear. And lastly the older breeches tapers at the mouth and later versions seem to have a socket for sealing it better into the barrel.
No good evidence to back up any of this but it seems logical to me when looking at the pictures in the breech loading thread.
|