Brass haquebut early 16th century

[Marcus den toom]

This brass haquebut barrel came to me late this year, somewhat of a self organized Christmas present

It is very close to examples already posted before on this forum, the powderpan on top of the barrel denotes a close date of around 1490-1500s The three staged octagon barrel is about 48cm in length plus a 7cm socket with a cracked but preserved piece of wood inside.

The barrel mouth is formed like a flower, very well crafted. The hook is in the style of the mid to late 15th century and has a length of 5,7cm.

The barrel mouth shows the power of the shots which have been fired by this cannon, every shot must have deposited a layer of molten brass. Imagine the wear on such guns.. even with lead bullets.

-The bore must be about 47cm long
-There is a lead bullet inside 27cm into the barrel measured from the barrel mouth.
-The breech is 47mm diameter
-The middle part is 38mm diameter
-The third part is 27mm diameter
-The flower/barrel mouth is 47mm diameter
-The back part of the hook (which would be resting against the wall) is just like the bullet 27cm from the barrel mouth
-The barrel is 15mm bore diameter

[Marcus den toom]

Michael and Alexander have posted similare topics on tiller cannons, like the one discussed here
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=Brass+tiller

and here

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...uch+hole+cover

The first thread deals with a earlier but modified example. It was dated by Michael to the 1450-60s. This was before his opus about the touch hole and dating criteria. After this i must say i would date the barrel in question to a 20 years later from the 1470-80s based upon the barrel mouth and the three staged octagon style. Also the repurposing of such a barrel by adding the powder pan would mean it was still ussuable and not too far worn down. What puzzles me is that the barrel must have always had the touch hole on top , which at that time was not ussual (the touch hole moved to the right hand side from about 1450s to its final place around 1490/1500).


The second example shows a very similar tiller cannon to mine with the barrel mouth flaring in a similare way and a complete powder pan with swiveling powderpan lid (the powderpan lid and screw now missing)

[Marcus den toom]

More similar cannons.

[Marcus den toom]

And no Nando, i can't ship it to you for scrap metal

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Marcus den toom

And no Nando, i can't ship it to you for scrap metal

Although if you shipped it to me i could always find out whether the object inside the barrel is indeed a bullet or some kid's marble .

[Philip]

I see that it's been a fabulous Christmas for you this year! Congratulations.
Now let's see you top this in 2018 -- I hope so, anyway!

[Andi]

Congratulations - A really nice piece and a really nice christmas present in deed.

[rickystl]

WOW!! What a nice X-Mas present. Congratulations. Incedibly interesting item.

Rick

[Spiridonov]

"Handbüchse
Posted By Clemens on 27. März 2013

Diese Handbüchse befindest sich im Museumsdepot des Märkischen Museums. Sie ist auf den Anfang des 15. Jahrhundert datiert. Gefunden wurde sie in Friesak und wird den Quitzows zugeordnet."

I think that correct date is about 1500 +- a few years

[Pukka Bundook]

Beautiful barrel, Spiridonov! Very nicely made.

[Marcus den toom]

Hi Alexander, Thank you for adding these valuable images. You are absolutely correct with your dating of this barrel, it is just like mine of the 1500s.
Do you have the measurements of the bore diameter?

It seems this barrel used to have a hook. You do not see it often that they brake of.

Also the provenance of the Quitzow familie can not be true, there house died off in the early 1400s. There does not seem to have been any big conflict around the 1500s but only during the thirty years war.