A Very Rare Early 16th Century Small Alcove Cannon (Nischengeschütz)

Spiridonov · 28th July 2009, 04:24 PM

Thanks. I have understood all. It is a pity that this wallgun is later than I thought. So do you have photos of wallguns of the period wich interesting me? Especially with calibres about 21-25 mm and barrel length about 600-800 mm.
Wthat is the date and parametras of this (look at photo)?
Sorry that i have too many questions.

Matchlock · 28th July 2009, 04:34 PM

Hi Spiridonov,

Don't worry, there cannot be too many questions, just an old man too slow on the trigger of reply.

I will be glad to tell you everything I can about those three haquebuts but can you get more images and in much higher resolution? In what museum are they? The Army Museum of St. Petersburg?

Best,
Michael

Spiridonov · 28th July 2009, 04:39 PM

This fotos from museum of Tabor.Czechia. Sorry, I have no another photos of this

Matchlock · 28th July 2009, 06:07 PM

O.k. then, Spiridonov,

Here is what I can tell from looking at your photo.

The one on top: as I wrote in today's prviate message to you the barrel is wrought iron and was almost certainly made in Bohemia. Its multi staging, the small hook immediately below the muzzle, and its general form make a date of ca. 1440-60 highly probable. I do not think that the tiller stock is original.

The central one: barrel octagonal throughout, of wrought iron, sadly without any clear criteria such as staging, a swamped muzzle section and/or sighting, touch hole not visible in image. Most probably made between ca. 1470 and 1500.

The one at the bottom: Barrel possibly of cast copper alloy ('brass' or 'bronze'), and if so, almost certainly cast in a Nuremberg workshop, the long sighted staged muzzle section denoting a manufacturing date of ca. 1520-30. Two things are highly unusual about this form of barrel: the hook has been added by means of a loop, and there is no visibly staged rear section as one would expect. Maybe the barrel was altered during its early working life and restocked. The unusually short butt stock resembles the butts of the well known group of the short Basle harquebuses.

I include photos of similar Bohemian barrels from the Pilsen museum (all b/w copies from an unprinted manusrcript), of two barrels from my collection, ca. 1460-70 and dated 1481, and a huge Nuremberg haquebut of ca. 1515-20 in my collection. This is also done complying with your desire to see barrrels of the second half of the 15th century.

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 28th July 2009, 06:15 PM

The rest.

Spiridonov · 28th July 2009, 09:14 PM

what date of this barrel? http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...id=48227&stc=1
Is the wood original or not? What calibre and length? How did the clutch and back plugis was attached?

Matchlock · 28th July 2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spiridonov

what date of this barrel? http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...id=48227&stc=1
Is the wood original or not? What calibre and length? How did the clutch and back plugis was attached?

As I stated, ca. 1440-60, formally.

As to the rest of your queries: Dear Spiridonov, please do accept the fact that I am not a clairvoyant - neither do I have access to better images nor am I able to 'see' and explain hidden features.

I may have been the most avid student of earliest guns during the past 30 years (at least I hope so, otherwise my life might have been sorta wasted during that long period!) but I'm not the Pope of firearms, meaning that I am not claiming to be infallible ...

Alright, okay?
Sorry to have to disapoint you, my Russian pal - I understand you seem to be searching for a universal authority to present dead easy answers to your complex queries - but believe me: it ain't me you're lookin' for ...

There sadly ain't no no way to prevent you from going thru a period of long, hard and painfully doubtin' studyin', and all I can offer is to try and guide you along. Learnin' means believin' a damn whole lot though. The only other possible way is doin' it all on your own.

I did.

Best,
Michael

28th July 2009, 04:24 PM	#1
Spiridonov Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Russia, Leningrad Posts: 355	Thanks. I have understood all. It is a pity that this wallgun is later than I thought. So do you have photos of wallguns of the period wich interesting me? Especially with calibres about 21-25 mm and barrel length about 600-800 mm. Wthat is the date and parametras of this (look at photo)? Sorry that i have too many questions. Attached Images

28th July 2009, 06:07 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	O.k. then, Spiridonov, Here is what I can tell from looking at your photo. The one on top: as I wrote in today's prviate message to you the barrel is wrought iron and was almost certainly made in Bohemia. Its multi staging, the small hook immediately below the muzzle, and its general form make a date of ca. 1440-60 highly probable. I do not think that the tiller stock is original. The central one: barrel octagonal throughout, of wrought iron, sadly without any clear criteria such as staging, a swamped muzzle section and/or sighting, touch hole not visible in image. Most probably made between ca. 1470 and 1500. The one at the bottom: Barrel possibly of cast copper alloy ('brass' or 'bronze'), and if so, almost certainly cast in a Nuremberg workshop, the long sighted staged muzzle section denoting a manufacturing date of ca. 1520-30. Two things are highly unusual about this form of barrel: the hook has been added by means of a loop, and there is no visibly staged rear section as one would expect. Maybe the barrel was altered during its early working life and restocked. The unusually short butt stock resembles the butts of the well known group of the short Basle harquebuses. I include photos of similar Bohemian barrels from the Pilsen museum (all b/w copies from an unprinted manusrcript), of two barrels from my collection, ca. 1460-70 and dated 1481, and a huge Nuremberg haquebut of ca. 1515-20 in my collection. This is also done complying with your desire to see barrrels of the second half of the 15th century. Best, Michael Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 29th July 2009 at 10:26 AM.

28th July 2009, 06:15 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	The rest. Attached Images

28th July 2009, 04:34 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Spiridonov, Don't worry, there cannot be too many questions, just an old man too slow on the trigger of reply. I will be glad to tell you everything I can about those three haquebuts but can you get more images and in much higher resolution? In what museum are they? The Army Museum of St. Petersburg? Best, Michael

28th July 2009, 04:39 PM	#3
Spiridonov Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Russia, Leningrad Posts: 355	This fotos from museum of Tabor.Czechia. Sorry, I have no another photos of this

28th July 2009, 09:14 PM	#6
Spiridonov Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Russia, Leningrad Posts: 355	what date of this barrel? http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...id=48227&stc=1 Is the wood original or not? What calibre and length? How did the clutch and back plugis was attached?