Wadding in 14th to 17th Century Loading

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

fernando · 10th August 2010, 02:15 PM

This is what partly influenced my doubts.
I see that probably D. Pope was giving wings to his imagination

.

Spiridonov · 10th August 2010, 06:08 PM

written sources of the 15 th century (artillery manuscript) says that chamber was charged without the ball. I can find original text if you want

fernando · 10th August 2010, 06:42 PM

No need Alexander; it is enough if you say so.
Also Michael has the same conviction.
This drawing was only to justify my query.

Matchlock · 14th August 2010, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spiridonov

written sources of the 15 th century (artillery manuscript) says that chamber was charged without the ball. I can find original text if you want

Hi Alexander,

I would be very grateful if you could find and publish the original text and give the bibliographical source (codex ...).

Thank you so much in advance!

Best,
Mikhail

8th August 2010, 07:45 PM	#1
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	#4
Spiridonov Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Russia, Leningrad Posts: 355	History of Alexander about. 1459 Attached Images

10th August 2010, 02:15 PM	#5
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	This is what partly influenced my doubts. I see that probably D. Pope was giving wings to his imagination . Attached Images

9th August 2010, 03:26 PM	#3
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

10th August 2010, 06:08 PM	#6
Spiridonov Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Russia, Leningrad Posts: 355	written sources of the 15 th century (artillery manuscript) says that chamber was charged without the ball. I can find original text if you want

10th August 2010, 06:42 PM	#7
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	No need Alexander; it is enough if you say so. Also Michael has the same conviction. This drawing was only to justify my query.