Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Matchlock · 5th October 2013, 04:29 PM

Hi there,

Not only is this a wheellock spanner but a combination tool, in that its flattened lower end acted as a screwdriver! The ring was for a attaching a suspension cord.
Moreover, the round hole was meant to measure and identify the caliber of the lead balls used (caliber gauge, German: Kugellehre); its small diameter denotes that the spanner once accompanied a pistol or carbine.

Tools of this kind can be dated to the Thirty Years War era (1618-48).

Best,
Michael

5th October 2013, 04:29 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi there, Not only is this a wheellock spanner but a combination tool, in that its flattened lower end acted as a screwdriver! The ring was for a attaching a suspension cord. Moreover, the round hole was meant to measure and identify the caliber of the lead balls used (caliber gauge, German: Kugellehre); its small diameter denotes that the spanner once accompanied a pistol or carbine. Tools of this kind can be dated to the Thirty Years War era (1618-48). Best, Michael Last edited by Matchlock; 6th October 2013 at 10:27 AM.