Wadding in 14th to 17th Century Loading

Matchlock · 2nd August 2010, 11:28 PM

That's just so great of you, 'Nando -

and just in time as well. I 've been planning to throw them away for so long but was not sure where to properly get rid of them.

Thank you so much, amigo - of course all costs will be on me;

Looking forward too seeing you (not a joke!)!

Best wishes and good night to Portugal,
Michl

fernando · 3rd August 2010, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matchlock

... Looking forward too seeing you (not a joke!)!

...

One of these days ... when you least expect

.

Matchlock · 3rd August 2010, 08:31 PM

That's exactly what I was afraid of ...

m

Matchlock · 8th August 2010, 07:45 PM

This a mid-15th century wrought iron breech for a breech loading cannon retaining both its original powder load and wooden wadding plug. In the case of breech loaders, the ball was shoved in the barrel from behind manually before the breech was put in and plugged by a wooden wedge at the rear.
Of course, this 15th century rapid firing method only made sense with a number of loaded breeches right at hand.

Actually I posted these before in my thread "Breech Loading 1450-1550" but given the fact that this rarest stuff is hard to grasp, and even harder to remember after long time passing, I hope not to be blamed too severely for a little repetition now and then.

Best,
Michael

fernando · 9th August 2010, 01:56 PM

Hi Michl,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matchlock

... I hope not to be blamed too severely for a little repetition now and then.

...

Your'e not repeating; your'e just letting us see it once more

.
Say, wasn't there a version of chamber (breech-block) in which the ammunition ball was also plugged into its mouth, instead of shoved into the barrel?

Matchlock · 9th August 2010, 03:26 PM

Hi 'Nando,

Not to my knowledge. It's extremely rare to find such old things still loaded but the fact alone that these breeches are notably narrowed denotes that the ball must have been loaded separately.

In the late 15th to 17th centuries when small iron cartridges were used with breech loading long arms and hand firearms, they might have also contained the ball. All this is mere speculation though; I do not know of one single small iron cartridge that would still hold its load.

That should prove to all of us how little we actually know of these weapons.

Best,
Miguel

Spiridonov · 10th August 2010, 09:37 AM

History of Alexander about. 1459

8th August 2010, 07:45 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	This a mid-15th century wrought iron breech for a breech loading cannon retaining both its original powder load and wooden wadding plug. In the case of breech loaders, the ball was shoved in the barrel from behind manually before the breech was put in and plugged by a wooden wedge at the rear. Of course, this 15th century rapid firing method only made sense with a number of loaded breeches right at hand. Actually I posted these before in my thread "Breech Loading 1450-1550" but given the fact that this rarest stuff is hard to grasp, and even harder to remember after long time passing, I hope not to be blamed too severely for a little repetition now and then. Best, Michael Attached Images

10th August 2010, 09:37 AM	#7
Spiridonov Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Russia, Leningrad Posts: 355	History of Alexander about. 1459 Attached Images

2nd August 2010, 11:28 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	That's just so great of you, 'Nando - and just in time as well. I 've been planning to throw them away for so long but was not sure where to properly get rid of them. Thank you so much, amigo - of course all costs will be on me; Looking forward too seeing you (not a joke!)! Best wishes and good night to Portugal, Michl

3rd August 2010, 08:31 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	That's exactly what I was afraid of ... m

9th August 2010, 03:26 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi 'Nando, Not to my knowledge. It's extremely rare to find such old things still loaded but the fact alone that these breeches are notably narrowed denotes that the ball must have been loaded separately. In the late 15th to 17th centuries when small iron cartridges were used with breech loading long arms and hand firearms, they might have also contained the ball. All this is mere speculation though; I do not know of one single small iron cartridge that would still hold its load. That should prove to all of us how little we actually know of these weapons. Best, Miguel