Matchlock Hand Mortar

fernando · 10th July 2012, 06:36 PM

Welcome to the forum, Deus.
I hope Michael has satisfactorily answered your question

.

Deus Vult · 10th July 2012, 08:48 PM

Thank you very much! The illustration of the man firing the mortar is most interesting. I wonder, wouldn't one have to brace the pistols from the recoil as well? Would they be held against the shoulder as well? Or perhaps against the leg?

Matchlock · 10th July 2012, 09:20 PM

Two late wheellock grenade launchers.

The first of Netherlandish manufacture, ca. 1630, in the Musee de l'Armee, Paris.

The second probably Strasbourg, now preserved in the National Museum Krakow; contrary to what the description states, the stock is absolutely contemporary and the gun can be safely attributed to ca. 1655-60.

And one of the latest grenade launchers, flintlock, ca. 1730, in the Army Museum Stockholm.

m

Emanuel · 11th July 2012, 12:40 PM

Wow! talk about hand cannons!!

Thank you Michael for these wonderful pictures. The wheel-lock examples are especially interesting. I recently saw two very large wheel-lock guns at a museum in Montreal and I find them to be a fascinating bit of construction.

Emanuel

Matchlock · 11th July 2012, 03:25 PM

Hi Emanuel,

Yes, the wheellock was the most fascinating but also the most accident-sensitive igniting mechanism.

Best,
m

Deus Vult · 12th July 2012, 06:19 AM

What would the size of the bore be, commonly?

Matchlock · 12th July 2012, 03:29 PM

Ca. 50-70 mm.

m

Deus Vult · 12th July 2012, 06:46 PM

Fantastic. Thank you. These are extremely interesting weapons. Are there any period written acounts or descriptions of their use?

10th July 2012, 09:20 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Two late wheellock grenade launchers. The first of Netherlandish manufacture, ca. 1630, in the Musee de l'Armee, Paris. The second probably Strasbourg, now preserved in the National Museum Krakow; contrary to what the description states, the stock is absolutely contemporary and the gun can be safely attributed to ca. 1655-60. And one of the latest grenade launchers, flintlock, ca. 1730, in the Army Museum Stockholm. m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 10th July 2012 at 11:38 PM.

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10th July 2012, 06:36 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Welcome to the forum, Deus. I hope Michael has satisfactorily answered your question .

10th July 2012, 08:48 PM	#2
Deus Vult Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 6	Thank you very much! The illustration of the man firing the mortar is most interesting. I wonder, wouldn't one have to brace the pistols from the recoil as well? Would they be held against the shoulder as well? Or perhaps against the leg?

11th July 2012, 12:40 PM	#4
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Wow! talk about hand cannons!! Thank you Michael for these wonderful pictures. The wheel-lock examples are especially interesting. I recently saw two very large wheel-lock guns at a museum in Montreal and I find them to be a fascinating bit of construction. Emanuel

11th July 2012, 03:25 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Emanuel, Yes, the wheellock was the most fascinating but also the most accident-sensitive igniting mechanism. Best, m

12th July 2012, 06:19 AM	#6
Deus Vult Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 6	What would the size of the bore be, commonly?

12th July 2012, 03:29 PM	#7
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Ca. 50-70 mm. m

12th July 2012, 06:46 PM	#8
Deus Vult Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 6	Fantastic. Thank you. These are extremely interesting weapons. Are there any period written acounts or descriptions of their use?