A Bavarian arsenal inventory dated 1485

Matchlock · 18th September 2008, 06:25 PM

... depicting guns and various other stuff kept in the Landshut arsenal in 1485. It is called the Landshuter Zeughausinventar. Zeug is the old German word for all kinds of weapons, Zeughaus means arsenal. Landshut is a historic city and nowadays the capital of the county of Lower Bavaria. In the Middle Ages, it was a main residence of the Wittelsbach dynasty whose heirs are still alive.

Note the red paint on some pieces.

The late-Gothic handwriting comments on the haquebuts the barrels of which are obviously of cast brass: "Alt Hagknpuchsn", i.e. old haquebuts, meaning that these pieces were already considered to be obsolete by 1485.

The three incendiary cossbow bolts with their flights painted red are referred to as "Alt Fewrpfeyl", again denoting that they had been in the Landshut arsenal for a long time yet.

Quite remarkable is the comment on the group of 4 harquebuses with blackened stocks and brass barrels:
"Handtpuchsn so im kassten sein", harquebuses which are stored in a wooden chest.

The Landshut Zeughausinventar ranks among the earliest known illustrated arsenal inventories. It was executed 7 years before Columbus discovered the New World, and 20 years before the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I had the contents of his arsenals illustrated.

Matchlock

stekemest · 18th September 2008, 07:55 PM

Thanks for the pictures. The one with the fire arrows is especially interesting for me, as I own several of those pieces (15th century). It's exactly the same kind: with only one barb. That's a type that was especially common in Southern Germany and Austria.

stm

Matchlock · 18th September 2008, 09:28 PM

Excellently observed!

Do your pieces retain their original hafts (Zaine) and incendiary masses?

Would you mind posting a few images?

How do you like these:

Spiridonov · 21st May 2010, 04:58 PM

what is it?

junker · 22nd May 2010, 08:49 AM

Hi Matchlock,
how long are your examples of fire crossbow arrows?
(haft and head).
How thick ist the wooden feather.
I ask because i may build one for my medieval reenactment
regards
Dirk

Matchlock · 30th May 2010, 09:37 PM

Hi Dirk,

As I added when first posting these incendiary crossbow bolts, I sold them some 15 years ago. Fortunately the present owner is a friend of mine so you will get the measurements. Please allow some time though for he is extremely busy.

Best,
Michael

Andi · 14th November 2012, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spiridonov

what is it?

Hello Spiridonov

Did you know it already? I asked myself the same question and beged a friend to transcribe the Text of the page. Hopefully I will get his reply soon.

18th September 2008, 06:25 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A Bavarian arsenal inventory dated 1485 ... depicting guns and various other stuff kept in the Landshut arsenal in 1485. It is called the Landshuter Zeughausinventar. Zeug is the old German word for all kinds of weapons, Zeughaus means arsenal. Landshut is a historic city and nowadays the capital of the county of Lower Bavaria. In the Middle Ages, it was a main residence of the Wittelsbach dynasty whose heirs are still alive. Note the red paint on some pieces. The late-Gothic handwriting comments on the haquebuts the barrels of which are obviously of cast brass: "Alt Hagknpuchsn", i.e. old haquebuts, meaning that these pieces were already considered to be obsolete by 1485. The three incendiary cossbow bolts with their flights painted red are referred to as "Alt Fewrpfeyl", again denoting that they had been in the Landshut arsenal for a long time yet. Quite remarkable is the comment on the group of 4 harquebuses with blackened stocks and brass barrels: "Handtpuchsn so im kassten sein", harquebuses which are stored in a wooden chest. The Landshut Zeughausinventar ranks among the earliest known illustrated arsenal inventories. It was executed 7 years before Columbus discovered the New World, and 20 years before the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I had the contents of his arsenals illustrated. Matchlock Attached Images

18th September 2008, 09:28 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Incendiary arrows/crossbow quarrels Excellently observed! Do your pieces retain their original hafts (Zaine) and incendiary masses? Would you mind posting a few images? How do you like these: Attached Images

22nd May 2010, 08:49 AM	#5
junker Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 140	measurements Hi Matchlock, how long are your examples of fire crossbow arrows? (haft and head). How thick ist the wooden feather. I ask because i may build one for my medieval reenactment regards Dirk

18th September 2008, 07:55 PM	#2
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 182	Thanks for the pictures. The one with the fire arrows is especially interesting for me, as I own several of those pieces (15th century). It's exactly the same kind: with only one barb. That's a type that was especially common in Southern Germany and Austria. stm

21st May 2010, 04:58 PM	#4
Spiridonov Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Russia, Leningrad Posts: 355	what is it?

30th May 2010, 09:37 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Dirk, As I added when first posting these incendiary crossbow bolts, I sold them some 15 years ago. Fortunately the present owner is a friend of mine so you will get the measurements. Please allow some time though for he is extremely busy. Best, Michael