1417 - The World's Oldest Dated Handgun!!!

[Marcus den toom]

Hi Michael,

I thoughed the roman numerals only allowed 3 of the same figures in a row? That is how i learned it in 4th grade (when i was 10 years old, so i might be mistaken).

So the 1417 date should read MCDXVII?

Either way, an impressive find.. though i like the munich barrel better.

edit: i read on wikipedia (not always a reliable source) that the notation of roman numerals varried greatly. The use of 4 or more of the same number is apparantly allowed.

[Matchlock]

Hi Marcus,


Wikipedia, as usually, is right: the Latin/Roman way of representing numerals and dates greatly varies and often depends ... E.g., on epitaphs you sometimes find remarkable variations that only allow to conclude the correct reading of a certain date from additional biographical information provided by the inscription.

This is also true for the general (incorrect and rural) use of Latin as a language.


Also note a frequently employed mixture of the Latin and Arabic numerals in the early 15th century; attached is the sample of the founding inscription of the Church of the Holy Spirit (Heilig-Geist-Kirche) in Landshut, Lower Bavaria, where the founding date 1407 is composed of the Roman m for the cypher 1 while the rest is written in Arabic numerals!


Best,
Michael

[Matchlock]

Editing of post #1:

Of course, the correct reading is minuscule (German Minuskel), instead of what I typed: miniscule.

Sorry, and best,
Michael

[fernando]

Oh, that is a minuscule fault

[Matchlock]

Brilliant pun, you rascal!

Michl