Breech loading 1450-1550

Matchlock · 7th October 2009, 01:14 PM

Sold at Hermann Historica, Munich, on October 5, 2009, hammer price 1,350 euro.

In excavated but perfectly preserved condition, originally forming part of a set of interchangeable breeches for a light rapid firing arquebus like the one presented in the previous post.

The tiny touch hole features a small pan like moulding. We may safely assume that the hook shaped staged lug on the underside drilled in the middle was scheduled to receive a horizontal blocking pin when inserted in the rear end of the gun ready to fire.

Overall length 13 cm, bore 12 mm

This, together with the one discussed previously, are the only two items of their kind that are known to me.

Best,
Michael

Spiridonov · 8th October 2009, 10:03 PM

Michael, thank you! Its AMAZING!
Looks like hangonne from trattato of Ghiberti Lorenzo http://www.bncf.firenze.sbn.it/oldWe...b.228/main.htm

http://www.bncf.firenze.sbn.it/oldWe...tti/index.html

Matchlock · 10th October 2009, 09:07 AM

Hi Alexander, and welcome back!

Thank you so much for posting this highly important drawing, you did a tremendous work!

I must admit that I did not know the manuscripts of Lorenzo Ghiberti, so - wow!

Most interesting is the fact that Ghiberti died in 1455 at the age of 70. As the breech loading gun he illustrated is almost identical in all its features to the actual piece that I posted here this could mean that the gun is even older than I thought it was and it should be probably dated at least as early as the 1450's!
I am also fascinated to see what the original tiller stock looked like and that not all of them were just plain sticks.

For easier comparison I repost the images of the gun together with Ghiberti's drawings and would be grateful for any incoming comment.

I also attach a portrait of the artist Ghiberti.

Alexander, thank you again for adding valuable material to our discussions once more!

Best wishes go to Russia from Bavaria,
Michael

Spiridonov · 8th August 2017, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spiridonov

Michael, thank you! Its AMAZING!
Looks like hangonne from trattato of Ghiberti Lorenzo http://www.bncf.firenze.sbn.it/oldWe...b.228/main.htm

http://www.bncf.firenze.sbn.it/oldWe...tti/index.html

Sorry, I have made mistake. Manuscript was written by Ghiberti Bonaccorso but not Ghiberti Lorenzo http://echo.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/ECHO...3224&wx=0.1988

7th October 2009, 01:14 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A Unique Detached Brass Breech for a Breech Loading Arquebus, ca. 1500 Sold at Hermann Historica, Munich, on October 5, 2009, hammer price 1,350 euro. In excavated but perfectly preserved condition, originally forming part of a set of interchangeable breeches for a light rapid firing arquebus like the one presented in the previous post. The tiny touch hole features a small pan like moulding. We may safely assume that the hook shaped staged lug on the underside drilled in the middle was scheduled to receive a horizontal blocking pin when inserted in the rear end of the gun ready to fire. Overall length 13 cm, bore 12 mm This, together with the one discussed previously, are the only two items of their kind that are known to me. Best, Michael Attached Images

8th October 2009, 10:03 PM	#2
Spiridonov Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Russia, Leningrad Posts: 355	Michael, thank you! Its AMAZING! Looks like hangonne from trattato of Ghiberti Lorenzo http://www.bncf.firenze.sbn.it/oldWe...b.228/main.htm http://www.bncf.firenze.sbn.it/oldWe...tti/index.html Attached Images

10th October 2009, 09:07 AM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Alexander, and welcome back! Thank you so much for posting this highly important drawing, you did a tremendous work! I must admit that I did not know the manuscripts of Lorenzo Ghiberti, so - wow! Most interesting is the fact that Ghiberti died in 1455 at the age of 70. As the breech loading gun he illustrated is almost identical in all its features to the actual piece that I posted here this could mean that the gun is even older than I thought it was and it should be probably dated at least as early as the 1450's! I am also fascinated to see what the original tiller stock looked like and that not all of them were just plain sticks. For easier comparison I repost the images of the gun together with Ghiberti's drawings and would be grateful for any incoming comment. I also attach a portrait of the artist Ghiberti. Alexander, thank you again for adding valuable material to our discussions once more! Best wishes go to Russia from Bavaria, Michael Attached Images