An extremely rare short Landsknechts' matchlock harquebus, Suhl ?, ca. 1540

Pukka Bundook · 3rd December 2008, 02:44 PM

Michael,

No, believe me. It is Us who are grateful to you!!

A couple more queations if I may;

How long is the barrel on this very nice harquebus?
It amazes me the muzzle does not look at all worn!

Was this type of stock meant to be held underneath the arm for firing, or fit the shoulder?

Thank you Micheal.

Richard.

Matchlock · 3rd December 2008, 04:41 PM

Richard,

The length of the barrel is 44.8 cm, the bore is 14.3 mm smooth.

The whole piece is in unbelievably good codition, showing only very little wear throughout. The fact that the muzzle shows almost no wear at all may be due to retaining its original wooden limewood muzzle plug, seen in the picture given below.

The buttstock does not really fit the shoulder very well but its proportionally unusual length makes me feel that it cannot have been held before the breast.

Thank you for referring to old handling marks, which all my pieces have, in a different post; the part rub-off of the brown lacquer on this harquebus would imply that it was actually fired from the shoulder. When trying to put it under the shoulder I am unable to aim using the sights.

Michael

Matchlock · 3rd December 2008, 04:43 PM

The second from top, retaining its original muzzle plug.

Michael

Pukka Bundook · 4th December 2008, 06:30 AM

Good evening, Michael.

The information you have supplied in your last post here is worth its weight in gold!
To find someone to share the information you have available, is Very rare, and very precious.
Thank you for going into detail on the handling marks, and how the gun fits, and can or cannot be aimed. This practical info has never come to light before, that I am aware of.

Thank you!!

Richard.

PS, If I may, How far does the muzzle plug reach into the bore?

Matchlock · 4th December 2008, 12:09 PM

Richard,

The muzzle plug reaches 4 cm into the bore.

I will have a photo taken. My old analog camera is no good any more. Most of my photos posted are analog.

Michael

Pukka Bundook · 4th December 2008, 03:02 PM

Thanks for the answer, Michael.

Somehow it does not surprise me, that your old camera is no good any more!
what with 280,000 pictures taken in museums, etc!

Matchlock · 4th December 2008, 09:16 PM

So you remembered that figure, Richard ...

Well, I wrecked more than one camera in that marathon - mostly the flashes got overloaded and the optics got kinda shaggy, too.

I think I'll finally go digital.

All the best,

m

3rd December 2008, 04:43 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	The second from top, retaining its original muzzle plug. Michael Attached Images

3rd December 2008, 02:44 PM	#1
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Michael, No, believe me. It is Us who are grateful to you!! A couple more queations if I may; How long is the barrel on this very nice harquebus? It amazes me the muzzle does not look at all worn! Was this type of stock meant to be held underneath the arm for firing, or fit the shoulder? Thank you Micheal. Richard.

3rd December 2008, 04:41 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Richard, The length of the barrel is 44.8 cm, the bore is 14.3 mm smooth. The whole piece is in unbelievably good codition, showing only very little wear throughout. The fact that the muzzle shows almost no wear at all may be due to retaining its original wooden limewood muzzle plug, seen in the picture given below. The buttstock does not really fit the shoulder very well but its proportionally unusual length makes me feel that it cannot have been held before the breast. Thank you for referring to old handling marks, which all my pieces have, in a different post; the part rub-off of the brown lacquer on this harquebus would imply that it was actually fired from the shoulder. When trying to put it under the shoulder I am unable to aim using the sights. Michael

4th December 2008, 06:30 AM	#4
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Good evening, Michael. The information you have supplied in your last post here is worth its weight in gold! To find someone to share the information you have available, is Very rare, and very precious. Thank you for going into detail on the handling marks, and how the gun fits, and can or cannot be aimed. This practical info has never come to light before, that I am aware of. Thank you!! Richard. PS, If I may, How far does the muzzle plug reach into the bore?

4th December 2008, 12:09 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Richard, The muzzle plug reaches 4 cm into the bore. I will have a photo taken. My old analog camera is no good any more. Most of my photos posted are analog. Michael

4th December 2008, 03:02 PM	#6
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Thanks for the answer, Michael. Somehow it does not surprise me, that your old camera is no good any more! what with 280,000 pictures taken in museums, etc!

4th December 2008, 09:16 PM	#7
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	So you remembered that figure, Richard ... Well, I wrecked more than one camera in that marathon - mostly the flashes got overloaded and the optics got kinda shaggy, too. I think I'll finally go digital. All the best, m