Breech loading 1450-1550 - Page 11

fernando · 8th July 2009, 07:22 PM

Hi Michael,

I risk being asking the obvious, or having negleted some of the 'lectures' you already have posted, so forgive me for asking you now the folowing:

1 - Were breech chamber locking bars allways made of iron, or were some other times of wood?

2 - Were chambers allways only loaded with gunpowder, or were they some times loaded also with the projectile?

Sorry for my ignorance

.

Fernando

Matchlock · 8th July 2009, 07:36 PM

I had almost forgotten about these. I photographed them in a North German private collection some 20 years ago. There was a fragment of a breech loading cannon with the muzzle section missing, and two belonging breeches, all salvaged from sea. The guy would not deaccession of them.

The sensation about them was that both breeches still contained their original black powder loads plugged by wooden stops! I have never seen anything like that in any museum! (They might have some at the Mary Rose Museum but not to my knowledge). Both their strap handles were missing save small fragments.

Enjoy!

Michael

Matchlock · 8th July 2009, 07:45 PM

Hi Fernando,

There is no need to worry, sometimes I cannot remember myself what I posted before or not.

1. I know of no surviving locking bars for breeches but think that they may have been of either iron or wood.

2. I cannot tell for sure but when relying on the two actually surviving objects I have posted today I think that we may assume that the breech contained only the powder charge and a wooden plug.

Best,
Michael

8th July 2009, 07:36 PM	#32
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Breech of ca. 1460 Containing its Original Load!!! I had almost forgotten about these. I photographed them in a North German private collection some 20 years ago. There was a fragment of a breech loading cannon with the muzzle section missing, and two belonging breeches, all salvaged from sea. The guy would not deaccession of them. The sensation about them was that both breeches still contained their original black powder loads plugged by wooden stops! I have never seen anything like that in any museum! (They might have some at the Mary Rose Museum but not to my knowledge). Both their strap handles were missing save small fragments. Enjoy! Michael Attached Images

8th July 2009, 07:45 PM	#33
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Fernando, There is no need to worry, sometimes I cannot remember myself what I posted before or not. 1. I know of no surviving locking bars for breeches but think that they may have been of either iron or wood. 2. I cannot tell for sure but when relying on the two actually surviving objects I have posted today I think that we may assume that the breech contained only the powder charge and a wooden plug. Best, Michael Last edited by Matchlock; 8th July 2009 at 08:02 PM.

8th July 2009, 07:22 PM	#31
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	Hi Michael, I risk being asking the obvious, or having negleted some of the 'lectures' you already have posted, so forgive me for asking you now the folowing: 1 - Were breech chamber locking bars allways made of iron, or were some other times of wood? 2 - Were chambers allways only loaded with gunpowder, or were they some times loaded also with the projectile? Sorry for my ignorance . Fernando