A Very Rare Brunswick Iron-slag Cannon Ball Dated 1575

Matchlock · 27th February 2012, 03:10 PM

... and bearing the initials HJH in ligation, for Duke Julius of Brunswick (Heinrich Julius Herzog). Diameter ca. 10 cm.

Julius was much interested in artillery, firearms and fortification, and especially in wheellocks. Though they did not match leading period standards set by the ones produced in Nuremberg and Augsburg, either in design or in technical respect, they seem to have a standing of their own among a group of collectors on today's market.

Two more dated and initialed cannon balls are in my collection.

Just ended on ebay.

m

fernando · 2nd June 2016, 05:43 PM

I am very pleased to have received one of these cannonballs. The date and monogram are well visible, much more in real than in pictures.
I wish Michael was here so that i could exchange with him a couple perspectives arising from this thread he started, as follows:
Assuming the person in the markings is indeed HEINRICH JULIUS (1564-1613), we would have that, at the date these cannon balls were cast, he was only eleven years old. Is this plausible ? I have tried to find any event on his life referring the date 1575 but, among many dates, this one doesn't appear.
I could also ask why the monogram is composed of three letters, as it could also be a pair of HH.
I also wonder why these balls were not cast for Heinrich's father, JULIUS (1528-1589) as his living period is more consonant with this ammunition date. Their titles are almost the same, but the father has no HEINRICH in his name.
Amazingly the German auction text only mentions JULIUS and, unfortunately, the translating engine is not exact on what touches some vital parts of it.
It is also interesting that Michael mentions that the ball is cast of iron-slag; in fact it weighs much less than an ordinary iron ball with the same diameter. Why were these balls made with iron-slag ? not certainly for economic reasons but, there must be a reason for that. Could it be that iron-slag is a better splinter when hitting the target ?
Anyone here willing to help me better understand this whole situation ?

.

corrado26 · 2nd June 2016, 06:23 PM

As far as I know the "HJH" doesn't stand for Heinrich Julius Herzog, but for the firm, who made this balls in 1575. This was the "Herzog Julius Hütte". "Hütte" stands for smelting work or metallurgical plant, as says my dictionnary.
Why they made the balls from iron slag I have to check..............
corrado26

fernando · 2nd June 2016, 07:01 PM

Thank you so much Corrado; it makes a lot of sense.
I knew "Hütte" was a vital key term in the auction text. I have also read that Duke Julius (father) had a strong interest in mining, namely in the region of Harz, a word i could also read in the text.

M ELEY · 3rd June 2016, 04:57 AM

And of course, you picked up two of them in order to give one to your bestest friend on this side of the pond!

Congrats, Fernando! Very nice edition to your collection!

fernando · 3rd June 2016, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

And of course, you picked up two of them in order to give one to your bestest friend on this side of the pond!

Congrats, Fernando! Very nice edition to your collection!

Ah, ah

.
Thank you Mark.
In fact, it was a kind soul that spotted it and organized its acquisition.
Lucky me

27th February 2012, 03:10 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A Very Rare Brunswick Iron-slag Cannon Ball Dated 1575 ... and bearing the initials HJH in ligation, for Duke Julius of Brunswick (Heinrich Julius Herzog). Diameter ca. 10 cm. Julius was much interested in artillery, firearms and fortification, and especially in wheellocks. Though they did not match leading period standards set by the ones produced in Nuremberg and Augsburg, either in design or in technical respect, they seem to have a standing of their own among a group of collectors on today's market. Two more dated and initialed cannon balls are in my collection. Just ended on ebay. m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 27th February 2012 at 03:40 PM.

2nd June 2016, 05:43 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	I am very pleased to have received one of these cannonballs. The date and monogram are well visible, much more in real than in pictures. I wish Michael was here so that i could exchange with him a couple perspectives arising from this thread he started, as follows: Assuming the person in the markings is indeed HEINRICH JULIUS (1564-1613), we would have that, at the date these cannon balls were cast, he was only eleven years old. Is this plausible ? I have tried to find any event on his life referring the date 1575 but, among many dates, this one doesn't appear. I could also ask why the monogram is composed of three letters, as it could also be a pair of HH. I also wonder why these balls were not cast for Heinrich's father, JULIUS (1528-1589) as his living period is more consonant with this ammunition date. Their titles are almost the same, but the father has no HEINRICH in his name. Amazingly the German auction text only mentions JULIUS and, unfortunately, the translating engine is not exact on what touches some vital parts of it. It is also interesting that Michael mentions that the ball is cast of iron-slag; in fact it weighs much less than an ordinary iron ball with the same diameter. Why were these balls made with iron-slag ? not certainly for economic reasons but, there must be a reason for that. Could it be that iron-slag is a better splinter when hitting the target ? Anyone here willing to help me better understand this whole situation ? . Attached Images

2nd June 2016, 06:23 PM	#3
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,204	As far as I know the "HJH" doesn't stand for Heinrich Julius Herzog, but for the firm, who made this balls in 1575. This was the "Herzog Julius Hütte". "Hütte" stands for smelting work or metallurgical plant, as says my dictionnary. Why they made the balls from iron slag I have to check.............. corrado26

2nd June 2016, 07:01 PM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thank you so much Corrado; it makes a lot of sense. I knew "Hütte" was a vital key term in the auction text. I have also read that Duke Julius (father) had a strong interest in mining, namely in the region of Harz, a word i could also read in the text.

3rd June 2016, 04:57 AM	#5
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,089	And of course, you picked up two of them in order to give one to your bestest friend on this side of the pond! Congrats, Fernando! Very nice edition to your collection!