A Multiple Barreled Polish Organ Gun, ca. 1700

Anandalal N. · 10th October 2010, 05:59 PM

Hi Michael,

Thank you immensely for these images from Gheyn's work. Indeed after reading Arne Hoff's Dutch Firearms I have been pondering how to access Gheyn when 'voila' you have provided a solution. So thanks again. I do assume the full book has more text to it? How large is it in its entirety?

A question. Till when in your opinon did the gun barrels continue to be made octagonal at the breech and rounded at the muzzle with a transition design as seen in Gheyns?

Regards.

Anan.

Matchlock · 10th October 2010, 06:35 PM

Hi Anan,

It's been good to hear of you again, pal!

De Gheyn's Wapenhandelinghe was the first exercise manual of its kind, mainly regarding firearms, and consequently had many followers (the first of them being Wallhausen in 1616) which mostly confined themselves to copy the original at large, and on a lesser level.

Actually the volume the frontispiece of which is engraved 1607 but was printed in 1608, comprises three sections of weapon handling commands respectively: for the caliverman (45 plates), the musketeer (42 plates), and the pikeman (32 plates). There is very little text, just a summary of the single commands prior to each section. If you are especially interested in the text in Old Dutch I can scan and post it.

Generally you will be well advised to watch out and seek the web for the perfect reprint:

Jacob de Gheyn: The Exercise of Armes (sic!), Lochem and McGraw Hill, Inc., ISBN 90-6087-271-1 or 07-016237-9.

I just noticed Amazon offering a paperback version at 14 USD:
http://www.amazon.com/Exercise-Armes.../dp/0486404420

As to your second question: in Germany, barrels with an octagonal breech changing to a round and longer forward section have been made starting as early as the late 15th century. The raised and acanthus leaves chiseled intermitting bands pictured by de Gheyn only arose in the 1550's. Actually not one single existing matchlock musket is known to be equipped with them ...

Best,
Michael

fernando · 10th October 2010, 07:18 PM

Hurry Anan,
They now have one copy less

Matchlock · 10th October 2010, 08:32 PM

Well done, 'Nando!

m

10th October 2010, 05:59 PM	#1
Anandalal N. Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 84	Hi Michael, Thank you immensely for these images from Gheyn's work. Indeed after reading Arne Hoff's Dutch Firearms I have been pondering how to access Gheyn when 'voila' you have provided a solution. So thanks again. I do assume the full book has more text to it? How large is it in its entirety? A question. Till when in your opinon did the gun barrels continue to be made octagonal at the breech and rounded at the muzzle with a transition design as seen in Gheyns? Regards. Anan.

10th October 2010, 06:35 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Anan, It's been good to hear of you again, pal! De Gheyn's Wapenhandelinghe was the first exercise manual of its kind, mainly regarding firearms, and consequently had many followers (the first of them being Wallhausen in 1616) which mostly confined themselves to copy the original at large, and on a lesser level. Actually the volume the frontispiece of which is engraved 1607 but was printed in 1608, comprises three sections of weapon handling commands respectively: for the caliverman (45 plates), the musketeer (42 plates), and the pikeman (32 plates). There is very little text, just a summary of the single commands prior to each section. If you are especially interested in the text in Old Dutch I can scan and post it. Generally you will be well advised to watch out and seek the web for the perfect reprint: Jacob de Gheyn: The Exercise of Armes (sic!), Lochem and McGraw Hill, Inc., ISBN 90-6087-271-1 or 07-016237-9. I just noticed Amazon offering a paperback version at 14 USD: http://www.amazon.com/Exercise-Armes.../dp/0486404420 As to your second question: in Germany, barrels with an octagonal breech changing to a round and longer forward section have been made starting as early as the late 15th century. The raised and acanthus leaves chiseled intermitting bands pictured by de Gheyn only arose in the 1550's. Actually not one single existing matchlock musket is known to be equipped with them ... Best, Michael

10th October 2010, 07:18 PM	#3
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Hurry Anan, They now have one copy less

10th October 2010, 08:32 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Well done, 'Nando! m