An Unusual Haquebut (Ganzer Haken), ca. 1440-1500

[Matchlock]

Dating this item is extremely difficult as it lacks almost all clear dating criteria, both technically and stylistically. It might even be earlier than the mid-15th c. It somehow reminds me of the so-called Bohemian pipes of the Hussite Wars, ca. 1420-40. If the hook originally belongs I should assume a date post-1430 as that seems to be the period when the first integral hooks appeared. On the other hand, barrels around as late as 1500 looked much the same, so I allowed an unusually wide span of dating.

Overall length 88 cm, barrel 49.2 cm, bore 25 mm, touch hole diameter 5 mm, weight 8 kg.

Of both rather crude manufacture and stylistic esthetics but doubtlesly of imposing impact ...

The wrought iron barrel round throughout, with only slightly swamped muzzle area, the wooden stock secured to the socket by three nails. Behind the touch hole a bulge which may have acted both as a fire shield for the gunner's eye and as a pan molding for applying the igniting powder at the same time.

The stout hook is forged-welded to the barrel as usual. The bottom of the stock is painted in red with an old inventory no. in 16th/17th century numerals.

Sold at Bonhams, London, 1st Dec 2009.


Best,
Michael

[Matchlock]

More.

[Matchlock]

The last few images.

[Spiridonov]

Hello, Michael! Thank You for sharing this. This weapon has really strange shape especially the shape of the stock. It seems that stock is product of recycling of broken lance I think that the shape of the rear end of the stock may be a hint for a more correct dating. Of course, only if it's really part of the lance. Else I want to say some word about bulge behind the touch hole. It's not unique. I know at least one more barrel with the bulge of absolutely similar shape (look at attachment(Length: 14,8 cm; Caliber: 19 mm; Weight: 2,5 Kg))

[Matchlock]

Hello Alexander,

I know the barrel you posted; unfortunately it is mounted on a new stock but the bulge behind the touch hole is the same. I would date it to the first half of the 16th c., which is almost 100 years later than the one I posted.

Best,
Michael

[Spiridonov]

Originally Posted by Matchlock

Hello Alexander,
I would date it to the first half of the 16th c.

Hmmmm... I was sure that this barrel much earlier

[Spiridonov]

The most common form of hook was trapezoid but barrel which You have uploaded has hook of rectangle form. But It's not unique to
p/s unfortunately I can't give the link because the website is dead now

[Matchlock]

Exactly!

Btw, the fine piece you posted is well-known to me as well; actually it is huge, a doppelter Doppelhaken, retaining its original oaken full stock painted in the Austrian (Habsburg) colors white and red (the white now faded to yellow), weighing 51 kg! This of course was not a long arm (Handfeuerwaffe) but, like all Doppelhaken, a stocked piece of cannon (geschäftetes Geschütz).

The maker's mark may be that of Peter Pögl, Thörl near Innsbruck, who supplied the Maximilian army. If my thesis is correct, it is not of Styrian manufacture as the present owner assumed but was made in the Tyrol. The very same Gothic majuscule P mark is on a heavy wrought-iron barrel which you saw in my collection when you were here:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7102

I attach two details of that enormous piece, and another close-up of the P mark on my barrel.


Best,
Michael