Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Matchlock · 17th June 2014, 01:05 AM

Hi Nando,

Telling by its overall appearance, this is definitely a combined 1st-half 17th century Thirty Years War era wheellock spanner and screwdriver - provided it is not a secondary copy.
Usually, and unlike the specimen in discussion, this type of spanners was pierced circle-shaped, thus serving as an additional gage for the balls.

Spanners were carried suspended from the musketeer's bandelier or belt, and attached to the swiveling eye screw by a cord.
Musketeers skilled in employing wheellocks were part of elite troops.

Among other museums, the singular historic arsenal collection in Graz, Austria (Landeszeughaus) holds many similar specimens.

Attached please find illustrations of a finely etched and gilt Dresden spanner for musketeer of the Trabanten-Leibgarde of the Royal Electors of Saxony, ca. 1585-1600, as well as of a plain specimen for regular troops.

Best wishes as ever,
Michl

17th June 2014, 01:05 AM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Nando, Telling by its overall appearance, this is definitely a combined 1st-half 17th century Thirty Years War era wheellock spanner and screwdriver - provided it is not a secondary copy. Usually, and unlike the specimen in discussion, this type of spanners was pierced circle-shaped, thus serving as an additional gage for the balls. Spanners were carried suspended from the musketeer's bandelier or belt, and attached to the swiveling eye screw by a cord. Musketeers skilled in employing wheellocks were part of elite troops. Among other museums, the singular historic arsenal collection in Graz, Austria (Landeszeughaus) holds many similar specimens. Attached please find illustrations of a finely etched and gilt Dresden spanner for musketeer of the Trabanten-Leibgarde of the Royal Electors of Saxony, ca. 1585-1600, as well as of a plain specimen for regular troops. Best wishes as ever, Michl Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 17th June 2014 at 02:18 AM.