Breech loading 1450-1550

Marcus den toom · 5th December 2013, 07:23 PM

The book is actually a auction cattalogue

Czerny's, october 24th&25th 2009 page 566-567

My thoughts exactly, but sadly most auction houses don't have a "Michael" on there payroll

Matchlock · 5th December 2013, 09:34 PM

Thanks a lot, Marcus, for that superb compliment!

Reality though is as sad as it is true: sales people do not want mercilessly honest, dedicated and competent 'cranks' like me. What they want, and pay for, are their own spectacular descriptions that hopefully (in their view) just do one thing: sell ...

For more than 30 years I have commented on pieces from my range of competence to all the big international auction houses as soon as their latest catalogs have been out. The only ones to ever thank me and include my comments in discussions with possible buyers during visiting hours are - the three London houses Bonhams, Christie's and Tom De Mar (in alphabetical order). So they, in my personal private view, are the most honest ones. They at least try ...

Best,
Michael

Marcus den toom · 18th December 2013, 09:36 AM

Did Fisscher never do anything with your information? I would be suprised, last time i was in Luzern and visited their auktion they seemed very honest.
My experience with auction is indeed their exstesive ways of convincing buyers of special features on their items. Most of the time you also see that they just copy the text from the previous auction house where the item was sold through.
I always try to track any major purchases down to previous auctions, this will tell you a lot about the different views and time that has passed between 2 sales.

I found this picture on the web, more hackbut barrels and handgonnes but i think it will do nicely in this thread.
These items are in the Belgium national firearms museum in Brussel/Bruxelles.

Matchlock · 18th December 2013, 10:28 AM

Hi Marcus,

Thank you for the nice image from the Brussels Koninklijk Leger Museum. Are there any other pictures showing such beautiful stuff where you found it? Could you link that site here, please?

I did some 'photoshoping' to the tiller guns (Stangenbüchsen) of ca. 1430-50, after they had evolved wall hooks..

Best,
Michael

Marcus den toom · 18th December 2013, 11:26 AM

I found them here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9801567...n/photostream/

just as these few
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrea_...n/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/indread_coal/223227974/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/indread_coal/223232480/

18th December 2013, 10:28 AM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Marcus, Thank you for the nice image from the Brussels Koninklijk Leger Museum. Are there any other pictures showing such beautiful stuff where you found it? Could you link that site here, please? I did some 'photoshoping' to the tiller guns (Stangenbüchsen) of ca. 1430-50, after they had evolved wall hooks.. Best, Michael Attached Images

5th December 2013, 07:23 PM	#1
Marcus den toom Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 535	The book is actually a auction cattalogue Czerny's, october 24th&25th 2009 page 566-567 My thoughts exactly, but sadly most auction houses don't have a "Michael" on there payroll

5th December 2013, 09:34 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Thanks a lot, Marcus, for that superb compliment! Reality though is as sad as it is true: sales people do not want mercilessly honest, dedicated and competent 'cranks' like me. What they want, and pay for, are their own spectacular descriptions that hopefully (in their view) just do one thing: sell ... For more than 30 years I have commented on pieces from my range of competence to all the big international auction houses as soon as their latest catalogs have been out. The only ones to ever thank me and include my comments in discussions with possible buyers during visiting hours are - the three London houses Bonhams, Christie's and Tom De Mar (in alphabetical order). So they, in my personal private view, are the most honest ones. They at least try ... Best, Michael

18th December 2013, 09:36 AM	#3
Marcus den toom Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 535	Did Fisscher never do anything with your information? I would be suprised, last time i was in Luzern and visited their auktion they seemed very honest. My experience with auction is indeed their exstesive ways of convincing buyers of special features on their items. Most of the time you also see that they just copy the text from the previous auction house where the item was sold through. I always try to track any major purchases down to previous auctions, this will tell you a lot about the different views and time that has passed between 2 sales. I found this picture on the web, more hackbut barrels and handgonnes but i think it will do nicely in this thread. These items are in the Belgium national firearms museum in Brussel/Bruxelles.

18th December 2013, 11:26 AM	#5
Marcus den toom Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 535	I found them here http://www.flickr.com/photos/9801567...n/photostream/ just as these few http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrea_...n/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/indread_coal/223227974/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/indread_coal/223232480/