Manuscript obout 15 century firearms

[Spiridonov]

http://www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/zbz...33b/1r/x-large
Zürich
Zentralbibliothek
Shelfmark: Ms. Rh. hist. 33b
Manuscript title: War technology (Illuminated Manuscript)
Caption: Paper · 168 ff. · 30.0 x 21.0 cm · Upper Rhine · about 1420-1440
Manuscript summary: This codex contains a rare illuminated manuscript constituted entirely by illuminated pages, for each of which only a succinct caption is given, most often only a line of text, and which therefore provides exceptional historical image-sources for numerous domains. The pictures presented here of military technology were perhaps originally part of a medieval house book. A typical collector’s item, this illuminated manuscript underscores the collection character of the Rheinau conventual library, whose librarians and abbots were expressly on the lookout for rare books.

[Spiridonov]

Michael, may You translate this inscription? Unfortunately I don't understand in German Gothic fonts

[Matchlock]

Great find as always, Alexander.

Here is the link to a better overall view:

http://www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/zbz...0033b/1r/small

I must get re-adjusted to South German/Swiss dialect in the early 1400's, then I might be able to give you some clue. The main problem with all manuscripts is to get used to the individual writer's 'hand' ...

Best,
Michael

[Spiridonov]

We can see the typical medieval lathe for wood, but I can't anderstand what is turner doing...
p/s
Michael, please, look ALL pages. There are many interesting for You. There are a lot of information about early firearms

[Matchlock]

I know, Alex,

Please allow a few days ...

P.S Did you have a White Christmas in St. Petersburg? In Bavaria, we didn't ...

m

[Matchlock]

I'm facing some serious difficulties finding the correct mansuscript title and accessing it for more information.
Could you help me, my friend?
m

[Spiridonov]

Originally Posted by Matchlock

P.S Did you have a White Christmas in St. Petersburg?

No, we haven't. It is too warm.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Matchlock

I know, Alex,

Please allow a few days ...

P.S Did you have a White Christmas in St. Petersburg? In Bavaria, we didn't ...

m

Over here in my home town the skies are pure blue and the sun is shining for the last two weeks.
8º at 10 am (when i get up ) and 16º at noon.
How's that for Christmas ?

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Spiridonov

We can see the typical medieval lathe for wood, but I can't anderstand what is turner doing...

Hand cannon stocks?

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Matchlock

... I must get re-adjusted to South German/Swiss dialect in the early 1400's, then I might be able to give you some clue. The main problem with all manuscripts is to get used to the individual writer's 'hand' ...

What a pity these manuscripts don't come with 'readable' legends ... definitely a tremendous added value

[cannonmn]

Maybe you missed it when Susi said the caption mentioned the turner was making torches. I assume those would be to illuminate when night work was required such as repairing battered walls, throwing up siege lines, etc. Wonder if those could also have been used as early portfires which provided the flame to ignite slowmatch or tinder for cannon and arquebus firing? Historians seem to be at somewhat of a loss for what means was used to keep live fires on the battlefield for that purpose.

[Spiridonov]

What is the cones on the box? Is it possible that this cones is charges or wooden wads?

[Swordfish]

Originally Posted by Spiridonov

Michael, may You translate this inscription? Unfortunately I don't understand in German Gothic fonts

Hallo,

I was able to read the text, except of two words.
In German:
Da macht ein Dreyer(Dreher) Kerzn(Kerzen, Fackeln).......
er Dir Din(deine) Pfil(Pfeile)machen sol(soll)
In English:
Here a turner makes torchs.....
he should make you your arrows

Regards
Susi

[cannonmn]

Susi, thanks! I often run into people who sincerely believe the lathe was not invented until about the 18th C if not later. This should shut them up.

Did you see the illustation of the woman with the "earmuffs" hairdo doing something to another woman's hair (or something like that?) I'm not sure how that relates to military technology but if it is easy to read and you could find it easily, what does that one say? Each image takes a long time to load here, which is why it is impractical for me to find the number. Is there an index or thumbnal gallery of any kind with this codex?

[Spiridonov]

Originally Posted by cannonmn

Susi, thanks! I often run into people who sincerely believe the lathe was not invented until about the 18th C if not later. This should shut them up.

Lathes appear about 600 year b.c.

[cannonmn]

Thanks Spiri. You must be familiar with the Museum of Artillery and Engineer Troops nearby. I love old artillery but was unaware of that great museum until I found the X???? website with many photos about 8 years ago.

If you have photos that are different from those on the website, particularly any of the more elaborate items, I know they would be welcomed on this site.

I missed a wonderful model that once belonged to Potemkin, had his coat of arms cast into the barrel and repeated in paint on each side of the carriage, at auction. I was "underbidder" sadly. It was antique, original, and in great condition. As I recall it was about 50 cm long, total.

Here are some larger ones identical to the smaller one I was trying to get.

http://www.stephenwoodresearch.com/port/pot01.htm