A very fine Tusco-Emilian snap matchlock Landsknecht's harquebus, ca. 1525

Matchlock · 7th December 2008, 03:00 PM

The buttstocks, locks and acorn shaped triggers very similar to my 1520's piece but of longer form throughout and mounted with more modern octagonal barrels.

Both preserved at the collections of the Tower of London and The Royal Armouries Leeds respectively. The lock of the gun at Leeds a modern replacement.

I was given the chance of taking these photos in 1990 when the harquebuses were still in the reserve collection at what was then just "The Tower".

Fragments of similar harquebuses were found in the wreck of the Mary Rose that had sunken in Spithead Harbour in 1545.

Michael

Matchlock · 7th December 2008, 03:04 PM

More.

Matchlock · 7th December 2008, 03:06 PM

The one with the replaced lock.

Matchlock · 7th December 2008, 03:09 PM

More.

Matchlock · 7th December 2008, 03:10 PM

Of somwhat later form.

Michael

Matchlock · 7th December 2008, 03:14 PM

Of somewhat later form - the pics.

Michael

Pukka Bundook · 8th December 2008, 03:10 PM

Michael,

It takes a week for the computer to download these pictures, but it's worth it!
It is very interesting to see such early guns with triggers fitted. By 1530-40, things were looking rather modern!

OK, What's going on with the two from the Tower?

I note both have wood spliced in, in between the pan and the lock plate.

It would appear they both at one time had the type of lock with integral pan, but for a very long time have had the pan dovetailed into the barrel.
Is this not a retrograde step?

I think the 'smith who replaced the lock did a very nice job, and also on the sidenail on the other one, but I think I would have aged them a bit more, so as to look in keeping with the rest of these very interesting guns.

Two more Q's if I may;
1, On the harquebus with replaced lock, I see a slot through the tunnel back sight; Is this to insert an aperture?

2, I see none of these pieces have a flash fence; When were fences first fitted, and where?

Lovely to see the clean stock of the gun with replaced lock, showing the marks of the draw-knife!

Thanks for the pics & your time,

Richard.

7th December 2008, 03:00 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Two Brescian snap matchlock harquebuses for Henry VIII's army, ca. 1540 The buttstocks, locks and acorn shaped triggers very similar to my 1520's piece but of longer form throughout and mounted with more modern octagonal barrels. Both preserved at the collections of the Tower of London and The Royal Armouries Leeds respectively. The lock of the gun at Leeds a modern replacement. I was given the chance of taking these photos in 1990 when the harquebuses were still in the reserve collection at what was then just "The Tower". Fragments of similar harquebuses were found in the wreck of the Mary Rose that had sunken in Spithead Harbour in 1545. Michael Attached Images

7th December 2008, 03:04 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	More. Attached Images

7th December 2008, 03:06 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	The one with the replaced lock. Attached Images

7th December 2008, 03:09 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	More. Attached Images

7th December 2008, 03:10 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Another similiar, ca. 1550-60, at the Palazzo Ducale, Venice Of somwhat later form. Michael

7th December 2008, 03:14 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Another similar, ca. 1550-60, at the Palazzo Ducale, Venice Of somewhat later form - the pics. Michael Attached Images

8th December 2008, 03:10 PM	#7
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Michael, It takes a week for the computer to download these pictures, but it's worth it! It is very interesting to see such early guns with triggers fitted. By 1530-40, things were looking rather modern! OK, What's going on with the two from the Tower? I note both have wood spliced in, in between the pan and the lock plate. It would appear they both at one time had the type of lock with integral pan, but for a very long time have had the pan dovetailed into the barrel. Is this not a retrograde step? I think the 'smith who replaced the lock did a very nice job, and also on the sidenail on the other one, but I think I would have aged them a bit more, so as to look in keeping with the rest of these very interesting guns. Two more Q's if I may; 1, On the harquebus with replaced lock, I see a slot through the tunnel back sight; Is this to insert an aperture? 2, I see none of these pieces have a flash fence; When were fences first fitted, and where? Lovely to see the clean stock of the gun with replaced lock, showing the marks of the draw-knife! Thanks for the pics & your time, Richard. Last edited by Pukka Bundook; 8th December 2008 at 03:20 PM.