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

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.

8th December 2008, 03:10 PM	#21
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.