The Famous Ambras Wheellock-Crossbow Combination of ca. 1526, BNM Munich

Matchlock · 20th December 2013, 12:10 PM

Totally agreed, Raf, and on Leonardo da Vinci's drawings as well.

They should in any case be taken cum grano salis.

What makes me think that wheellock mechanism from the combination gun in Venice that you reposted could be somewhat later than my tinderlock is the fact that the internal trigger release spring already employs a screw, instead of the plain rivet there is on my lock.

Here's another early snapping tinderlock from my collection with a highly interesting mechanism, ca. 1520's-30's. It is remarkable for having an internal tumbler and a double-arm serpentine main spring. It's all riveted and bolted, no screws.

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 31st December 2013, 06:53 PM

Discussing earliest wheellocks, we may not forget this arquebus in the Musée de l'Armée, Paris. It is generally dated 'ca. 1520', which in my eyes is not justified.
The earliest date I would seriously assign to it is 'ca. 1525-35', with a main focus on 'ca. 1530'.
The stock is in all probability limewood, with a lesser possiblity of maple.

m

Matchlock · 31st December 2013, 07:06 PM

The remaining images.

20th December 2013, 12:10 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Totally agreed, Raf, and on Leonardo da Vinci's drawings as well. They should in any case be taken cum grano salis. What makes me think that wheellock mechanism from the combination gun in Venice that you reposted could be somewhat later than my tinderlock is the fact that the internal trigger release spring already employs a screw, instead of the plain rivet there is on my lock. Here's another early snapping tinderlock from my collection with a highly interesting mechanism, ca. 1520's-30's. It is remarkable for having an internal tumbler and a double-arm serpentine main spring. It's all riveted and bolted, no screws. Best, Michael Attached Images

31st December 2013, 06:53 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Discussing earliest wheellocks, we may not forget this arquebus in the Musée de l'Armée, Paris. It is generally dated 'ca. 1520', which in my eyes is not justified. The earliest date I would seriously assign to it is 'ca. 1525-35', with a main focus on 'ca. 1530'. The stock is in all probability limewood, with a lesser possiblity of maple. m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 31st December 2013 at 07:52 PM.

31st December 2013, 07:06 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	The remaining images. Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 31st December 2013 at 07:27 PM.