Barrel from Grandson battlefield

Spiridonov · 21st November 2010, 07:34 PM

From book "Medieval Handgonnes"
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1...ef=oss_product

Matchlock · 21st November 2010, 07:57 PM

Thank your, Alexender,

for sharing this hitherto seemingly unknown barrel.

Of course the image is vertically inverted, and I add the correct view.

This item is highly unusual in that it shows almost no clear dating criteria apart from the hexagonal form and the heavily swamped muzzle which allows dating it to the 1470's.

On the other hand, the rear section is by no means swamped the way one would expect. I have never seen an early barrel almost tapering to the rear like that. The shape of the big barrel loops is quite unusual as well. In any case, it seems to be one of the typically crude Swiss productions. The small rudimentary back sight at the rear sure is one of the earliest of its kind.

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 21st November 2010, 08:22 PM

Some impressions, some of them photographed by the author.

Image no. 8 of course shows a very important two hand sword of Sempach type, ca. 1470.

m

Matchlock · 21st November 2010, 08:49 PM

A tiller stocked haquebut, wrought iron, Nuremberg, made for Switzerland, ca. 1450, with sinkhole shaped touchhole on the top flat (almost identical items preserved in the Schweizerisches Landesmuseum Zürich).

A good Late Gothic crossbow with composite horn bow, ca. 1460-70.

A finely painted crossbow man's or handgunner's pavise. ca. 1480.

Below a group of newly hafted pikes and earspoon spears, a good Nuremberg bronze haquebut of ca. 1460-70, retaining an old stock, possiby the original.
A detached chamber for a breech loading cannon, ca. 1450-60, and two late 15th c. handgun barrels (sorry, no details available).

Following various firearms, on top a good and early Suhl/Thuringia/Germany made military matchlock musket, the lockplate shaped like that of a wheellock and pretending a higher technical quality than a simple matchlock, the beechwood stock slightly carved in the characteristic Suhl manner, ca. 1610-15.

m

Matchlock · 21st November 2010, 09:13 PM

BTW, the barrel on the right looks a lot like the Grandson barrel posted by Alexender, most interestingly showing the same burst in the middle!

Actually it does not seem to be the very same piece because the left barrel loop seems to be missing.

Any comments much welcome as always,
and best as ever,

m

Spiridonov · 22nd November 2010, 05:42 AM

Michael, It is a brilliant finding! This is exactly the same barrel

It is very important for me. 'Cause it probably belongs to Burgundian wars period.

21st November 2010, 07:34 PM	#1
Spiridonov Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Russia, Leningrad Posts: 355	Barrel from Grandson battlefield From book "Medieval Handgonnes" http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1...ef=oss_product Attached Images

21st November 2010, 07:57 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Thank your, Alexender, for sharing this hitherto seemingly unknown barrel. Of course the image is vertically inverted, and I add the correct view. This item is highly unusual in that it shows almost no clear dating criteria apart from the hexagonal form and the heavily swamped muzzle which allows dating it to the 1470's. On the other hand, the rear section is by no means swamped the way one would expect. I have never seen an early barrel almost tapering to the rear like that. The shape of the big barrel loops is quite unusual as well. In any case, it seems to be one of the typically crude Swiss productions. The small rudimentary back sight at the rear sure is one of the earliest of its kind. Best, Michael Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 21st November 2010 at 08:07 PM.

21st November 2010, 08:22 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Schloss Grandson, Switzerland, and the Museum Some impressions, some of them photographed by the author. Image no. 8 of course shows a very important two hand sword of Sempach type, ca. 1470. m Attached Images

21st November 2010, 08:49 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A tiller stocked haquebut, wrought iron, Nuremberg, made for Switzerland, ca. 1450, with sinkhole shaped touchhole on the top flat (almost identical items preserved in the Schweizerisches Landesmuseum Zürich). A good Late Gothic crossbow with composite horn bow, ca. 1460-70. A finely painted crossbow man's or handgunner's pavise. ca. 1480. Below a group of newly hafted pikes and earspoon spears, a good Nuremberg bronze haquebut of ca. 1460-70, retaining an old stock, possiby the original. A detached chamber for a breech loading cannon, ca. 1450-60, and two late 15th c. handgun barrels (sorry, no details available). Following various firearms, on top a good and early Suhl/Thuringia/Germany made military matchlock musket, the lockplate shaped like that of a wheellock and pretending a higher technical quality than a simple matchlock, the beechwood stock slightly carved in the characteristic Suhl manner, ca. 1610-15. m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 22nd November 2010 at 12:05 AM.

21st November 2010, 09:13 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	BTW, the barrel on the right looks a lot like the Grandson barrel posted by Alexender, most interestingly showing the same burst in the middle! Actually it does not seem to be the very same piece because the left barrel loop seems to be missing. Any comments much welcome as always, and best as ever, m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 22nd November 2010 at 12:09 AM.

22nd November 2010, 05:42 AM	#6
Spiridonov Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Russia, Leningrad Posts: 355	Michael, It is a brilliant finding! This is exactly the same barrel It is very important for me. 'Cause it probably belongs to Burgundian wars period.