16th and 17th Century Ramrods and Their Tools

Matchlock · 28th May 2014, 04:35 PM

Here are contemporary depictions of woden ramrods with iron finials, by the artist Jörg Kölderer. From 1495 to ca. 1515, he illustrated the inventories of the Tyrolean arsenals by order of King Maximilian, who became Holy Roman Emperor in 1508.

Attachments from cod.icon. 222, fol. 114, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek München.

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Marcus den toom · 28th May 2014, 08:23 PM

Hi Michl,

Thank you again for this extensive thread.
Do you know about an assay/research report on the stretchability of (different types of ) wood. Or are there written documents from the 1500s/1600s about the issue of ramrods that break?

I also like your profile picture, is that one of your guns that is beeing fired?

fernando · 28th May 2014, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus den toom

... is that one of your guns that is beeing fired?

Yes, of course; the man is a shooter

When he fires one of his magnificent matchlocks, the whole of Bavaria stops to listen

Raf · 29th May 2014, 09:18 AM

This picture turned up recently in a U.K. auction. Described as a scene in a forge it appears to show the undercroft of a substantial building where persons are engaged in cleaning and maintaining , rather than manufacturing
arms and armour. The small glass bottles look interesting. With something that looks like a wick or quill used for oiling your recently cleaned wheelock ?

Matchlock · 29th May 2014, 10:27 AM

Great find, Raf,

Do you have more close-up details of that guy maintaining the wheellock saddle carbine? To me it looks as if he is wiping the pan, and/or is applying some oil.
I sent you a PM; could you please mail the link to the site of that auction house - provided their catalog can still be viewed online.

Although the buttstock of the carbine is hidden by the guy's right leg, the gun seems to be of post-Thirty Years War second half 17th century type, ca. 1670-1700, a span to which most surviving 'military' wheellock saddle carbines can be assigned - see attachments.
By the 1680's, the form of the buttstock, which at that period was of Baroque style 'paddle'-like shape, began to lose its rounded belly, at the same time adopting the straight so-called 'French' buttstock. For about 350 years of experimenting with various shapes, right through the Gothic and Renaissance styles, that straight and flat French form with the beveled edges became generally accepted. It obviously is ideal for man to aim, both orthopedically and ergonomically. Even today, it is still found almost unaltered on many modern English shotguns.
By ca. 1600, the French sense of style had generally prevailed over the former 16th century Italian Renaissance influence, all over Central and Northern Europe including Britain, Ireland and Scotland. This was true for arsenal weapons as well which usually lagged behind in style, as compared to arms ordered by the nobility.

Best,
Michael

28th May 2014, 04:35 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Here are contemporary depictions of woden ramrods with iron finials, by the artist Jörg Kölderer. From 1495 to ca. 1515, he illustrated the inventories of the Tyrolean arsenals by order of King Maximilian, who became Holy Roman Emperor in 1508. Attachments from cod.icon. 222, fol. 114, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek München. m Attached Images

29th May 2014, 09:18 AM	#4
Raf Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 252	This picture turned up recently in a U.K. auction. Described as a scene in a forge it appears to show the undercroft of a substantial building where persons are engaged in cleaning and maintaining , rather than manufacturing arms and armour. The small glass bottles look interesting. With something that looks like a wick or quill used for oiling your recently cleaned wheelock ? Attached Images

29th May 2014, 10:27 AM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Great find, Raf, Do you have more close-up details of that guy maintaining the wheellock saddle carbine? To me it looks as if he is wiping the pan, and/or is applying some oil. I sent you a PM; could you please mail the link to the site of that auction house - provided their catalog can still be viewed online. Although the buttstock of the carbine is hidden by the guy's right leg, the gun seems to be of post-Thirty Years War second half 17th century type, ca. 1670-1700, a span to which most surviving 'military' wheellock saddle carbines can be assigned - see attachments. By the 1680's, the form of the buttstock, which at that period was of Baroque style 'paddle'-like shape, began to lose its rounded belly, at the same time adopting the straight so-called 'French' buttstock. For about 350 years of experimenting with various shapes, right through the Gothic and Renaissance styles, that straight and flat French form with the beveled edges became generally accepted. It obviously is ideal for man to aim, both orthopedically and ergonomically. Even today, it is still found almost unaltered on many modern English shotguns. By ca. 1600, the French sense of style had generally prevailed over the former 16th century Italian Renaissance influence, all over Central and Northern Europe including Britain, Ireland and Scotland. This was true for arsenal weapons as well which usually lagged behind in style, as compared to arms ordered by the nobility. Best, Michael Last edited by Matchlock; 29th May 2014 at 11:39 AM.

28th May 2014, 08:23 PM	#2
Marcus den toom Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 534	Hi Michl, Thank you again for this extensive thread. Do you know about an assay/research report on the stretchability of (different types of ) wood. Or are there written documents from the 1500s/1600s about the issue of ramrods that break? I also like your profile picture, is that one of your guns that is beeing fired?