A Remarkable Early-16th c. Cast Blank of an Arquebus Bronze Barrel

Swordfish · 29th March 2012, 06:05 PM

I don`t believe that the excavated condition was the reason for the price. Many excavated bronze barrels are in a remarkably good condition, or can be improved by slight restoration. The reason for the low interest was that it is only a half barrel! Which serious collector wants to acquire a half barrel? For this poor fragment €3200,- incl. Premium is a high price!

Best

Susi

Matchlock · 29th March 2012, 08:42 PM

As I said, the overall condition is what matters.

m

Matchlock · 29th March 2012, 10:50 PM

Classing this piece, I wish to state that we all sort of automatically seeem to tend to addressing any kind of copper-alloy work of art as 'bronze'. Me included.

Several times before here, I have pointed out that the historic 500-year-old period term for this tye of cast barrels used in the inventory books of the Maximilian armories was 'Messing', which is brass. Of course, it depends on the alloy used.

I guess it is just because it sounds more valuable that the term bronze has come into such wide-spread usage.

m

29th March 2012, 06:05 PM	#1
Swordfish Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 129	I don`t believe that the excavated condition was the reason for the price. Many excavated bronze barrels are in a remarkably good condition, or can be improved by slight restoration. The reason for the low interest was that it is only a half barrel! Which serious collector wants to acquire a half barrel? For this poor fragment €3200,- incl. Premium is a high price! Best Susi

29th March 2012, 08:42 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	As I said, the overall condition is what matters. m

29th March 2012, 10:50 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Classing this piece, I wish to state that we all sort of automatically seeem to tend to addressing any kind of copper-alloy work of art as 'bronze'. Me included. Several times before here, I have pointed out that the historic 500-year-old period term for this tye of cast barrels used in the inventory books of the Maximilian armories was 'Messing', which is brass. Of course, it depends on the alloy used. I guess it is just because it sounds more valuable that the term bronze has come into such wide-spread usage. m