Modern bronze handgonne replica found in Siegelsberg/Murrhardt
 

I don't know if this has been posted here already but search requests for "Siegelsberg" and "Murrhardt", "Danzig" or "Gdańsk" brought no relevant results.

BZ Online reports on 13.08.2011
http://www.bkz-online.de/node/297246

550 years old rifle just lay in the grass.
A student discovered a bronze handgonne on the banks of a creek near a small bridge south of Siegelsberg in the grass. This late medieval handgun is an absolute Rarity. It is is in private property and on display at Carl-Schweizer-Museum in Murrhardt.

The handgonne is compaeable to an piece found in 1920 in Danzig / Gdańsk, having a fully ornamental decoration of the muzzle and the touch hole with bearded mens heads. While drilling the touch hole the opposite breech wall has been accidentially demolished and made the barrel useless.

It has a weight of 458,2 grams, a calibre of 9-10 mm, dating ca. 1460/61.

The article writes that the barrel is undergoing some scientific investsigations but I have not yet found newer infos on it.

I doubt if this is really an old piece :confused:

Image taken from: http://www.bkz-online.de/node/297246

Interesting stuff, Andi.
If ever you hear further info on this (would be) handgonne, please let us know :cool:

Andi, Thank You for sharing this. It's a pity that there are no photos from another sides :confused:

I have asked the Carl-Schweizer-Museum for updated information or literature references - I'll keep you informed.

Here is Matchlocks post regarding the compareable Danzig /Gdanzk Handgonne found in 1920 http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...55&postcount=7

The museum referred me to the mayor of Murrhardt who reffered me to the person in charge of the archaeological state agency working on the find. Today I received the answer.

As I already assumpted (due to the circumstances of the find and its preservation status) it is a modern piece.

Translation:
The piece from Morrhardt is obviously a replica of the early 20th century of the well known handgonne found in Schwedt / Uckermark (published in Waffen- und Kostümkunde 11, 1969). Known by you. The Murrhardt object was made of a modern DEGUSSA alloy showing no signs of wear or usage.

It would have been to nice to be true.
So the Schwedt (Danzig) handgonne still is a unique piece.



N.B.

May one of the mods please amend the title of this thread from "15 century" to "modern"? In order not to confuse the readers.

What part to edit ?
 

Please tell the whole text you wish to have for the new title, Andi.

Maybe:

Modern bronze handgonne replica found in Siegelsberg/Murrhardt

Done!