How late 15th to mid 16th century guns were aimed, in historic illustrations

Matchlock · 2nd December 2008, 05:14 PM

Some of these won't attach. I don't know what's wrong.

Michael

Matchlock · 2nd December 2008, 05:27 PM

Two more.

fernando · 2nd December 2008, 06:21 PM

Hi Michael,

Fantastic pictures ... thanks a lot for showing them.

Now, can you coment on left hand aimers ?

Is it because:

1 - Some of the pictures posted are inverted (which i doubt) ?
2 - There was a period, or an arsenal, where guns were made with their action on the left side, causing the owners to aim from the left ?
3 - Some of these guns in the pictures were eventualy made for left hand owners ?
4 - The drawing/painting author found it more interesting to portray it that way, not caring for that "detail" ?

Thanks for your enlightening.
Fernando

Matchlock · 2nd December 2008, 07:53 PM

Hi, Fernando,

Thanks for commenting, and nice to hear of you again.

I consent to your points 1, 3 and 4, either way.

Actually inverting left and right, and cyphers as well, is quite common in Gothic and Renaissance art. It is supposed that the artists just did not care or, as you pointed out, did not know exactly what the lock mechanism looked like. You even find that phenomemon in 18th and 19th century paintings - and, sadly enough, with modern museum displays exhibiting guns with their counter lock side turned to the viewer. E.g., in the Maximilian inventories, many guns are depicted with their serpentines attached to the barrels (!) - now how cute is that? They just did not care.

Nothing is known to me about aiming left-handed intentionally. Only one single gun with a (part replaced) left hand snap tinder lock mechanism, ca. 1500, is known to have survived; it is preserved in the Vienna Kunsthistorisches Museum.

Michael

fernando · 2nd December 2008, 10:21 PM

Hi Michael

Bedanken Sie sich bei Ihnen für die Erklärung.

I hope the translating engine makes sense

Fernando

Matchlock · 2nd December 2008, 11:51 PM

Hi Fernando,

The "translating machine" sure made everything perfectly clear, and believe me: it's highly appreciated across some oceans over here in Bavaria this very early morning!!!

That's just so nice, buddy - answering back in German - thanks a million times!!!

Looking forward to any further comments - they are so much rewarding, believe me ...

Keep gettin' me going!

A very special good night is sent out to all of my forum buddies out there,

Michael

Matchlock · 3rd December 2008, 12:11 AM

Hi, Fernando,

May I add these:

Michael

2nd December 2008, 05:27 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Two more. Attached Images

2nd December 2008, 06:21 PM	#3
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Hi Michael, Fantastic pictures ... thanks a lot for showing them. Now, can you coment on left hand aimers ? Is it because: 1 - Some of the pictures posted are inverted (which i doubt) ? 2 - There was a period, or an arsenal, where guns were made with their action on the left side, causing the owners to aim from the left ? 3 - Some of these guns in the pictures were eventualy made for left hand owners ? 4 - The drawing/painting author found it more interesting to portray it that way, not caring for that "detail" ? Thanks for your enlightening. Fernando

2nd December 2008, 07:53 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi, Fernando, Thanks for commenting, and nice to hear of you again. I consent to your points 1, 3 and 4, either way. Actually inverting left and right, and cyphers as well, is quite common in Gothic and Renaissance art. It is supposed that the artists just did not care or, as you pointed out, did not know exactly what the lock mechanism looked like. You even find that phenomemon in 18th and 19th century paintings - and, sadly enough, with modern museum displays exhibiting guns with their counter lock side turned to the viewer. E.g., in the Maximilian inventories, many guns are depicted with their serpentines attached to the barrels (!) - now how cute is that? They just did not care. Nothing is known to me about aiming left-handed intentionally. Only one single gun with a (part replaced) left hand snap tinder lock mechanism, ca. 1500, is known to have survived; it is preserved in the Vienna Kunsthistorisches Museum. Michael

2nd December 2008, 10:21 PM	#5
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Hi Michael Bedanken Sie sich bei Ihnen für die Erklärung. I hope the translating engine makes sense Fernando

2nd December 2008, 11:51 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Fernando, The "translating machine" sure made everything perfectly clear, and believe me: it's highly appreciated across some oceans over here in Bavaria this very early morning!!! That's just so nice, buddy - answering back in German - thanks a million times!!! Looking forward to any further comments - they are so much rewarding, believe me ... Keep gettin' me going! A very special good night is sent out to all of my forum buddies out there, Michael

3rd December 2008, 12:11 AM	#7
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi, Fernando, May I add these: Michael