Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Free e-Book: Die Kriegswaffen in ihren geschichtlichen Entwickelungen (1893)

Matchlock · 6th October 2013, 10:43 AM

Another book to take cum grano salis and to interpret and judge with utmost aloofness is Demmin's Kriegswaffen ...

Not only does it represent the state of knowledge of 19th century arms historians at a stage when they were just tying to dare a first and tentative scientific approach to the topic - a state now completely obsolete; what is even more burdensome is the fact that this book contains only line drawings which are both highly vague and inapt for any serious conclusion to base on.

Over a span of more than 35 years of both scientific and practical research into earliest firearms and accouterments, it has become an established principle of mine never to accept drawings to base a judgement on.

Photos are the sole reliable and accurate prerequisite - of course under the reserve that only a thorough inspection including taking the gun completely apart can allow to judge the item with sufficient authority!

Best,
Michael

6th October 2013, 10:43 AM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Another book to take cum grano salis and to interpret and judge with utmost aloofness is Demmin's Kriegswaffen ... Not only does it represent the state of knowledge of 19th century arms historians at a stage when they were just tying to dare a first and tentative scientific approach to the topic - a state now completely obsolete; what is even more burdensome is the fact that this book contains only line drawings which are both highly vague and inapt for any serious conclusion to base on. Over a span of more than 35 years of both scientific and practical research into earliest firearms and accouterments, it has become an established principle of mine never to accept drawings to base a judgement on. Photos are the sole reliable and accurate prerequisite - of course under the reserve that only a thorough inspection including taking the gun completely apart can allow to judge the item with sufficient authority! Best, Michael Last edited by Matchlock; 6th October 2013 at 11:13 AM.