Incendiary quarrels/arrows/crossbow bolts

Matchlock · 3rd November 2008, 03:21 PM

Mid 15th century.

They were analyzed and X-rayed a few years ago. The substances of the incendiary mass were found to be almost the same as in the Swiss arrows in the Schweizerisches Landesmuseum Zurich (see my earlier post), with the exception that the outer layer of the Nuremberg arrows is made of tissue.

Mchael

Matchlock · 13th November 2008, 12:40 PM

Offered by an Italian auction house in June 2008.
Although the estimate was relatively low I think it failed to sell.

Michael

Matchlock · 15th November 2008, 02:20 PM

17th century, smaller and of much lighter weight than the ones dug up in Ingolstadt.

A huge iron throwing ball for a catapult above and a pair of mid 16th century miniature cannon below.

Michael

Matchlock · 4th January 2012, 06:35 PM

Back to incediary arrows:

Their making, from an Alamannic ow Swiss manuscript, ca. 1430.

m

junker · 7th January 2012, 01:57 PM

Hi,
in this year there was a great market at the Feste Coburg (Bavaria) and there a couple of people showed military fireworks in late medieval times. Also Pechkränze an lighting bags. I put here some photos of manuscript copies, which i tokk there. Remarkable were the shooting parts which were inserted in these light balls, so that anyone who will put out the Fire is in danger to be shot. They are fabricated out of a simple tube with powder and one (maybe two lead Balls) on top and will fire when the fire inside the Pechkranz will reach them.

The guy made also a book about this topic and it is german and english.
It called "Die Macht des Feuers" ISBN 978-3-87472-089-2

M ELEY · 15th January 2012, 11:12 AM

Awesome pics of these extremely rare combustibles. It's amazing that even in those days, weapons were designed to do the most damage, even to those trying to put them out. Dare I say 'terrorist tactics'? Would love to have one of them in my maritime collection. Perhaps someday...

Matchlock · 15th January 2012, 06:40 PM

Hi Marc,

A friend of mine, situated not very far from Coburg, rebuilds these Coburg 'fire bales' (Leuchtballen) as working replicas!!!

Best,
Michael

3rd November 2008, 03:21 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Incendiary arrows in the Nuremberg castle Mid 15th century. They were analyzed and X-rayed a few years ago. The substances of the incendiary mass were found to be almost the same as in the Swiss arrows in the Schweizerisches Landesmuseum Zurich (see my earlier post), with the exception that the outer layer of the Nuremberg arrows is made of tissue. Mchael Attached Images

13th November 2008, 12:40 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Another quoit Offered by an Italian auction house in June 2008. Although the estimate was relatively low I think it failed to sell. Michael Attached Images

15th November 2008, 02:20 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Clay grenades in the Veste (castle) Oberhaus, Passau, Eastern Bavaria 17th century, smaller and of much lighter weight than the ones dug up in Ingolstadt. A huge iron throwing ball for a catapult above and a pair of mid 16th century miniature cannon below. Michael Attached Images

4th January 2012, 06:35 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Back to incediary arrows: Their making, from an Alamannic ow Swiss manuscript, ca. 1430. m Attached Images

7th January 2012, 01:57 PM	#5
junker Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 140	Pechkränze Hi, in this year there was a great market at the Feste Coburg (Bavaria) and there a couple of people showed military fireworks in late medieval times. Also Pechkränze an lighting bags. I put here some photos of manuscript copies, which i tokk there. Remarkable were the shooting parts which were inserted in these light balls, so that anyone who will put out the Fire is in danger to be shot. They are fabricated out of a simple tube with powder and one (maybe two lead Balls) on top and will fire when the fire inside the Pechkranz will reach them. The guy made also a book about this topic and it is german and english. It called "Die Macht des Feuers" ISBN 978-3-87472-089-2 Attached Images

15th January 2012, 11:12 AM	#6
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,166	Awesome pics of these extremely rare combustibles. It's amazing that even in those days, weapons were designed to do the most damage, even to those trying to put them out. Dare I say 'terrorist tactics'? Would love to have one of them in my maritime collection. Perhaps someday...

15th January 2012, 06:40 PM	#7
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Marc, A friend of mine, situated not very far from Coburg, rebuilds these Coburg 'fire bales' (Leuchtballen) as working replicas!!! Best, Michael