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My focus on de Sousa papers was to eliminate, or confirm, the existence of robust pieces like culverins. I can tell however that arcabuces were very often mentioned in his adventures. These had a limited caliber and were differentiated from proper artillery. If were to speculate on the type of 'small' an 'gross' artilley he had, we coud as well include falconetes and even the 'berços', these also breech loaders and available in various sizes.
... and lowering them they carried some of the weapons, so that there could not be more than five arquebuses, with which they withdrew and left a plaza where they were staying, the Indians leaving with five arquebuses and eleven swords, and nineteen saddles. , and nine pairs of horse weapons, and a lot of clothing, both for clothing and for bedding; seen by the Master of Campo the ravage that ... . |
Aside from being longer pieces than cannons, coulevrine types of the same diameter/caliber than cannon had thicker chamber walls, therefore a a heavier powder charge could be used. All this in order to have a greater range. This is why they were usually naval pieces as chasers in the bows. At broadsides, their length could be problematic in the recoil. Also used as coastal defence pieces. They were too heavy for field artillery and not really useful as siege artillery, where powder economies could be important.
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