Christies extremely rare medieval bronze handrohr sale 30/09/2014

[cornelistromp]

http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/a...1-b0db421598e3

[fernando]

What do you personally think of it, Jasper ?

[Matchlock]

Hi Jasper,


I have just been preparing a thread on this item because there is an unbelievable story to it, and I, too, was involved in heavy action three years before that sale.

I have known that barrel since 1971 when I was at the age of 17, and well on my way - I had set my mind on earliest firearms by that time already, and possessed more than 90 books on the matter, most of them written in English (U.S. English has always been both a love and a hobby of mine) which, of course, have been in my library ever since then, for almost half a century ...


I will post all the information later on anyway.

It will all make your eyes widen!!!

Before I will set off I'm asking you your opinion as to the exact stylistic/formal dating of this piece - on the basis of my threads, especially the one on dating earliest barrels.

What do you think, and on what reasons?

That would be most interesting to me to learn.

Best,
Michael

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by cornelistromp

http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/a...1-b0db421598e3

Here is a link to the full sized image. 934x4355

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/or...858e72de34.jpg

[cornelistromp]

see also

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...1&page=1&pp=30


post#7

Iam not saying it is not a genuine piece and I have not had it in hand, however there are some points that I really do not like.

the transition from hexagonal to circular, at the center piece , looks a bit strange at such an early gun.
the surface of the casting has some traces of "operation" and is not covered with the patina that you would expect at a river find.

best,
jasper

[Matchlock]

I had a very nice phone talk just a few hours ago, with an old London friend, and A&A expert - we literally burst out laughing!

Good morning, buyer of that barrel - you'll probably be wide awake soon.

I gave a definite warning, well ahead of the sale.


50 year-old knowlegde of facts is power ... because the facts never change.


Best,
m

[cornelistromp]

Hi Michael,

so what are the facts?

best,
Jasper

[Matchlock]

Hi Jasper,

As I have been up for almost three days, with no sleep, working hard on the so-called Monk's Gun thread, with hundreds of huge images to add and describe:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=19033

I had to postpone posting here.

I will carry on within the next few days; the material, from the 1960's to 2011, is so comprehsive, though, that it will me take days of preparation. It's about 40 MB on my hard disc.
I got asked about it by an important weapons historian about a week before the sale took place; so within hours, I sent it all out to him, and a few other persons involved, by email.

For posting all that stuff here on the forum, however, I will have to reduce all the images in size, etc.
It will be worth waiting - I promise you.


Best,
Michael