Dating Earliest Barrels: the Importance of the Position of the Touch Hole

Matchlock · 21st January 2014, 01:51 PM

The first ca. 1375-1400, sold Christie's Rome, June 18, 1975.

A so-called Steinbüchse, wrought of wound band iron (cf. the Aljubarrota barrels) but of more archaic form, with small breech (Pulverkammer) and wider forword piece (Flug) to receive either an incendiary arrow (Büchsen-Brandpfeil) or a limestone ball.
Overall length 23 cm.

Originally probably attached to a stock by two iron bands.
Its present whereabouts unknown.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...handgonne+iron

Another, important and finely wrought Steinbüchse for throwing limestone balls or incendiary arrows, also ca. 1375-1400, segmented, with various reinforced sections, round throughout, large touch hole at rear top end, the breech and a reinforced segment punched with Gothic trefoils and a row of circles, the wide muzzle section struck on top with the Cross of St. George, which might be an indication of a Swiss origin.
Mounted with a swiveling ring for suspension, possibly for a horseman of the kind depicted in a mid-15th c. drawing (attached).
Overall length 34.2 cm.
Sold Sotheby's London, 8 Dec 1988, lot 276.

Best,
m

Matchlock · 21st January 2014, 02:43 PM

This and similar pieces have made their way through the market on various continents. In an U.S. auction it allegedly sold at 4,000 USD on 3 Dec 2010, but failed to sell at Hermann Historica, Munich, on 4 May 2004 at an estimate of 2,800 euro.
The overall length is 28.5 cm, the weight 3.72 kg.

In my opinion, some joker drove two barrels, wrought of wound band iron, and of Aljubarrota type into each other; the rectangular barrel loop at the end of the larger barrel seems to be an 18th/19th c. addition.

m

Matchlock · 21st January 2014, 03:23 PM

Finely wrought, of octagonal section, with integrally cast bands and friezes in high relief, the chiseling work seemingly unfinished, one band bearing the initials INRI (for Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum); the touch hole with igniting pan at the right side of the top flat, with rear end socket for attachment of a tiller stock, above the breech two indistinct coats-of-arms in shields, the forward section broken off and missing. In excavated condition.
Overall length 27 cm, retaining about half of its former length.
Hermann Historica, Munich, 5 Oct 2004, lot 504.

m

21st January 2014, 01:51 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Two 14th c. Wrought-iron Handgonnes The first ca. 1375-1400, sold Christie's Rome, June 18, 1975. A so-called Steinbüchse, wrought of wound band iron (cf. the Aljubarrota barrels) but of more archaic form, with small breech (Pulverkammer) and wider forword piece (Flug) to receive either an incendiary arrow (Büchsen-Brandpfeil) or a limestone ball. Overall length 23 cm. Originally probably attached to a stock by two iron bands. Its present whereabouts unknown. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...handgonne+iron Another, important and finely wrought Steinbüchse for throwing limestone balls or incendiary arrows, also ca. 1375-1400, segmented, with various reinforced sections, round throughout, large touch hole at rear top end, the breech and a reinforced segment punched with Gothic trefoils and a row of circles, the wide muzzle section struck on top with the Cross of St. George, which might be an indication of a Swiss origin. Mounted with a swiveling ring for suspension, possibly for a horseman of the kind depicted in a mid-15th c. drawing (attached). Overall length 34.2 cm. Sold Sotheby's London, 8 Dec 1988, lot 276. Best, m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 21st January 2014 at 02:28 PM.

21st January 2014, 02:43 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A Very Dubious 'Handgonne' This and similar pieces have made their way through the market on various continents. In an U.S. auction it allegedly sold at 4,000 USD on 3 Dec 2010, but failed to sell at Hermann Historica, Munich, on 4 May 2004 at an estimate of 2,800 euro. The overall length is 28.5 cm, the weight 3.72 kg. In my opinion, some joker drove two barrels, wrought of wound band iron, and of Aljubarrota type into each other; the rectangular barrel loop at the end of the larger barrel seems to be an 18th/19th c. addition. m Attached Images

21st January 2014, 03:23 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A Rare Nuremberg Workpiece of a Tiller Gun Bronze Barrel, Mid-15th c. Finely wrought, of octagonal section, with integrally cast bands and friezes in high relief, the chiseling work seemingly unfinished, one band bearing the initials INRI (for Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum); the touch hole with igniting pan at the right side of the top flat, with rear end socket for attachment of a tiller stock, above the breech two indistinct coats-of-arms in shields, the forward section broken off and missing. In excavated condition. Overall length 27 cm, retaining about half of its former length. Hermann Historica, Munich, 5 Oct 2004, lot 504. m Attached Images