Breech loading or Mortar ?

fernando · 16th July 2021, 11:10 AM

Indeed the number of early explosive devices is countless, their names varying in time and cultures. 'Petard' is indeed one that has/had a vast number of shapes and uses.
The type named as petard in the Castelneau castle museum appears to be of nowadays consensual attribution, for one:

https://castelnaud.omeka.net/items/show/48
Notwithstanding the example shown in post #8 is also a form of petard, this one a less vulgar and more complex type seen out there, within the door trap family.

While the type named 'pot a feu' in the same museum seems to be more the specimen first posted in this thread. The term Mortier=mortar=morteiro also fits in it:
https://castelnaud.omeka.net/items/show/47

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Jim McDougall · 16th July 2021, 01:10 PM

This is a very interesting item, and I would agree with Fernando that this does not fit the character of a breech loaded chamber.
I agree with him as well in the observation that there are many types of independent explosive devices of this nature which have been produced for many purposes as described, which follow a simple functional character not necessarily in distinct or standard pattern.

Always interesting to see these kinds of 'artillery' type items and the broad scope of variation they often present. The 'breech block' was something I only learned of several years ago, and this does bring these to mind as Richard noted. I was involved in researching one of these from a shipwreck in which the actual deck gun was no longer with it, so trying to determine which type of gun it might have come from.....an intriguing conundrum considering the many variations.

broadaxe · 19th July 2021, 08:17 AM

Nice thread indeed. Most actual breech blocks have a forcing cone at the business end, and fitted with a true, full size handle, that can accommodate a gloved hand.
Past thread with good examples:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...3016#post73016

16th July 2021, 11:10 AM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Indeed the number of early explosive devices is countless, their names varying in time and cultures. 'Petard' is indeed one that has/had a vast number of shapes and uses. The type named as petard in the Castelneau castle museum appears to be of nowadays consensual attribution, for one: https://castelnaud.omeka.net/items/show/48 Notwithstanding the example shown in post #8 is also a form of petard, this one a less vulgar and more complex type seen out there, within the door trap family. While the type named 'pot a feu' in the same museum seems to be more the specimen first posted in this thread. The term Mortier=mortar=morteiro also fits in it: https://castelnaud.omeka.net/items/show/47 . Attached Images

16th July 2021, 01:10 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	This is a very interesting item, and I would agree with Fernando that this does not fit the character of a breech loaded chamber. I agree with him as well in the observation that there are many types of independent explosive devices of this nature which have been produced for many purposes as described, which follow a simple functional character not necessarily in distinct or standard pattern. Always interesting to see these kinds of 'artillery' type items and the broad scope of variation they often present. The 'breech block' was something I only learned of several years ago, and this does bring these to mind as Richard noted. I was involved in researching one of these from a shipwreck in which the actual deck gun was no longer with it, so trying to determine which type of gun it might have come from.....an intriguing conundrum considering the many variations.

19th July 2021, 08:17 AM	#3
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 334	Nice thread indeed. Most actual breech blocks have a forcing cone at the business end, and fitted with a true, full size handle, that can accommodate a gloved hand. Past thread with good examples: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...3016#post73016