XV century powder horn

Matchlock · 26th October 2010, 03:47 PM

Hi Alexender,

This watercolor is from Diebold Schilling's Berne Chronicle, 1483. I attach some more.

We have knowledge of several contemporary sources of illustrations but of not one single existing Gothic powderhorn. Only those of 19th c. Afghanistan make come close in shape to those used in Central Europe in Medieval times.

What we further can tell from two early 16th c. altar paintings is that those horns were of impressive size, had a handle shaped wooden piece at their broad side and were bound with carrying cords, with no iron mounts or rings to be noted.

As I pointed out in an earlier thread, the hole in the buttstocks of the arquebuses was for suspension on a wooden pin in the arsenal. One of the two arquebusiers has a thick piece of matchcord in this hand.

Best,
Michael

26th October 2010, 03:47 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Alexender, This watercolor is from Diebold Schilling's Berne Chronicle, 1483. I attach some more. We have knowledge of several contemporary sources of illustrations but of not one single existing Gothic powderhorn. Only those of 19th c. Afghanistan make come close in shape to those used in Central Europe in Medieval times. What we further can tell from two early 16th c. altar paintings is that those horns were of impressive size, had a handle shaped wooden piece at their broad side and were bound with carrying cords, with no iron mounts or rings to be noted. As I pointed out in an earlier thread, the hole in the buttstocks of the arquebuses was for suspension on a wooden pin in the arsenal. One of the two arquebusiers has a thick piece of matchcord in this hand. Best, Michael Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 26th October 2010 at 03:57 PM.