Extremely Rare 14th to 18th Century Igniting Irons and a 16th Century Linstock

[Matchlock]

Actually, Jim, those plain iron igniting devices are not as rare in our alpine regions as one might think; they, just like the mostly short barrels to light with, seem to have seldom been disposed of. In Austria and Switzerland, many of those noisemakers are found to be employed as door stoppers in traditional rural houses even in the 21st century. As you noted, they, and even less their igniting sticks, are rarely ever paid notice to or mentioned, though - mostly for lack of knowledge, I am afraid.

Otherwise, as often before, your kind words scholarly spoken ex cathedra made me blush; thank you so much but I think that all of us owe you so much - and most of all our forum thankfully guided competently, eloquently and patiently by its creator.

With all my very best wishes,
Michael

[Matchlock]

Another one retaining its igniting prick.

Michael

[Matchlock]

From:

Flavius Vegetius Renatus: Vier Bücher der Rytterschafft (Four Books of Knighthood), Erfurt, Germany, 1511.

Note the V shaped cannon barrels!

Michael

[Matchlock]

From the same book as before, 1511.

Michael

[Matchlock]

A historic source of illustration of 1561, showing an artillery linstock quite similar to a piece in my collection.

Michael

[Matchlock]

Ignition of a tripod mounted Doppelhaken (wall piece), early 16th century, using a match clamp.

Michael

[Matchlock]

From Hermann Historica's April 2009 sale, Munich.
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