Re: Early 16th century matchlock harquebuses and their historical documents

Norman McCormick · 18th September 2008, 09:14 PM

Hi Matchlock,
I'm surprised and impressed, I would have assumed that given the age of the pieces metal fatigue and oxidation would have taken a greater toll on their ability to be fired. If you Google 'Ulrich Bretscher's Black Powder Page' there are interesting articles on manufacturing black powder and on the making and firing of 'Handgonnes'. How accurate are these old guns?, I've always thought that on many occasions it would be more dangerous to be behind the gun rather than in front. Nice to know that some things were built to last.

.
My Regards,
Norman.

Matchlock · 18th September 2008, 10:07 PM

Thanks, Norman,

I know Ulrich Bretscher's site.

Again: if you wish to learn how accurately these old guns actually fired - it is all in the aforementioned Graz catalog!

As to accuracy: At those times - and still in the Napoleonic period! - accuracy was not the question. Everybody just fired into the broad mass of soldiers opposite of himself.

It was both that easy and cruel.

Matchlock

Matchlock · 27th March 2009, 05:22 PM

A 1530's matchlock harquebus with blued iron parts, brass tunnel back sight and heavily swamped muzzle section, the stock left 'in the white'!!!!

Detail of a painting of the Resurrection by Simon Franck, ca. 1540, in the basilica of Aschaffenburg/Northern Bavaria.

Michael

Matchlock · 19th December 2010, 06:28 PM

Only recently recovered; from flickr.com, with thanks to the original poster there.

Note the powder bandolier with its small tinned iron measures around the shoulder of the arquebus man, and the finely staged brass or bronze barrel and snap matchlock of the arquebus!

m

Matchlock · 24th March 2012, 03:53 PM

Ca. 1540.

Note both the characteristic tubular back sight and the shape of the butt stock.

m

27th March 2009, 05:22 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	See what that sleeping Landsknecht guy has rested on his knees! A 1530's matchlock harquebus with blued iron parts, brass tunnel back sight and heavily swamped muzzle section, the stock left 'in the white'!!!! Detail of a painting of the Resurrection by Simon Franck, ca. 1540, in the basilica of Aschaffenburg/Northern Bavaria. Michael Attached Images

19th December 2010, 06:28 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Important 1530's Nuremberg Woodcut - in Color! Only recently recovered; from flickr.com, with thanks to the original poster there. Note the powder bandolier with its small tinned iron measures around the shoulder of the arquebus man, and the finely staged brass or bronze barrel and snap matchlock of the arquebus! m Attached Images

24th March 2012, 03:53 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Ca. 1540. Note both the characteristic tubular back sight and the shape of the butt stock. m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 24th March 2012 at 04:43 PM.

18th September 2008, 09:14 PM	#1
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,643	Hi Matchlock, I'm surprised and impressed, I would have assumed that given the age of the pieces metal fatigue and oxidation would have taken a greater toll on their ability to be fired. If you Google 'Ulrich Bretscher's Black Powder Page' there are interesting articles on manufacturing black powder and on the making and firing of 'Handgonnes'. How accurate are these old guns?, I've always thought that on many occasions it would be more dangerous to be behind the gun rather than in front. Nice to know that some things were built to last. . My Regards, Norman.

18th September 2008, 10:07 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Thanks, Norman, I know Ulrich Bretscher's site. Again: if you wish to learn how accurately these old guns actually fired - it is all in the aforementioned Graz catalog! As to accuracy: At those times - and still in the Napoleonic period! - accuracy was not the question. Everybody just fired into the broad mass of soldiers opposite of himself. It was both that easy and cruel. Matchlock