Matchlock Hand Mortar

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?

Matchlock · 13th July 2012, 01:21 PM

As I said, the only illustrative period source I know is attached to post # 2.

Best,
m

Deus Vult · 13th July 2012, 05:32 PM

Right, illustrated. I meant whether there was any literary description anywhere. Did anyone ever write anything about their tactical use or do they show up in any lists of equipment in armies or armouries?

11th July 2012, 12:40 PM	#1
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	#2
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	#3
Deus Vult Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 6	What would the size of the bore be, commonly?

12th July 2012, 03:29 PM	#4
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	#5
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?

13th July 2012, 01:21 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	As I said, the only illustrative period source I know is attached to post # 2. Best, m

13th July 2012, 05:32 PM	#7
Deus Vult Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 6	Right, illustrated. I meant whether there was any literary description anywhere. Did anyone ever write anything about their tactical use or do they show up in any lists of equipment in armies or armouries?