An Unusual Haquebut (Ganzer Haken), ca. 1440-1500

[Matchlock]

Another haquebut with long and flat integral tiller retaining transerverse nails for the missing grips, ca. 1500-15, in the Historisches Museum Bern, Switzerland.

Overall length 151 cm
weight 14.5 kg
barrel length 92 cm
bore length 90.5 cm
bore diameter 2.1 cm
outer muzzle diameter 4.7 cm
outer rear end diameter 6.1 cm
hook 10 x 5.8 cm
tiller length 59 cm

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[Matchlock]

As all development in the history of small guns seems to derive from large cannons/artillery pieces, here is the predecessor of the above posted haquebuts with long tillers: a piece of artillery, illustrated in a Swiss Gothic manuscript (codex), on the adventures of the first crusade, preserved in the Stiftsbibliothek St. Gallen, Cod.Sang. 658, fo. 61, detail.

Please also note the tiller arquebus fired by a soldier in the second close-up.

As this profusely illumniated book, hitherto virtually unknown, offers vast and manifold sources on 15th century weapons of all kinds, here is the link for download:

http://www.e-codices.unifr.ch/de/preview/csg/0658

Best,
Michael

[Matchlock]

Another arquebus depiction, from the same codex, 1465, fol. 38.

[Spiridonov]

Originally Posted by Matchlock

Another arquebus depiction, from the same codex, 1465, fol. 38.

Great find, Michael! One of this barrels from image seems does not have a stock It's too short.
P/S
Michael, You have created a lot of interesting topics at last time. I feel morally obligated to comment them all but I don't have enough time at last days (but I'll try to do this :-) ). I always read that You've written with the great interest.

[Matchlock]

Originally Posted by Spiridonov

Great find, Michael! One of this barrels from image seems does not have a stock It's too short.
P/S
Michael, You have created a lot of interesting topics at last time. I feel morally obligated to comment them all but I don't have enough time at last days (but I'll try to do this :-) ). I always read that You've written with the great interest.

Alexender, my dear friend,

Thank you so much for sharing your precious time and coming in once more!

Please do not worry! I know that you are observing my posts (which I feel in a way have always really been ours , as you seem to be the one here to share my my knowledge best) and I jump for joy every single time I hear from you.

As to the seemingly missing tiller stock of the arquebus depicted, I am afraid that what I have learned from more than 3O years of studying 400 to 600 year-old period artwork is that it was almost never absolutely exact. I guess artists then just did not care to be that exact. E.g., animals like bears, lions and elephants were depicted like dogs or pigs.

Best from Lower Bavaria,
and having my last sip of tea for today from the beautiful St. Petersburg cup you brought when visiting me ,

Michael