Barrel from Grandson battlefield

[Spiridonov]

I have great news about these barrel. I am going to post it later.

[Matchlock]

We're anxious to see it!

m

[Spiridonov]

It seems that the barrel are thin, long and lightweight and have a small calibre. We can ever seen so lightweight weapon in Schillings chronics. It seems that cross-section of barrel is square (probably hexagon with very obtuse angle in the up and down sides (look at the picture "A")) Now I am waiting these photo with a high resolution from one good man

[Matchlock]

Oustanding, Alexander!

It certainly is a rather small caliber arquebus barrel (probably 12-15 mm), most probably hexagonal (characteristic of that period), and the overall length should be ca. 80 cm.

The image from Diebold Schilling's Berne Chronicle you seclected conveys a perfect idea of what the arquebus might have looked like, and why the barrel loops make sense.

What I am hoping moreover is that your 'good man' also has photos of the smaller (most probably bronze) arquebus barrel of ca. 1490-1510 that can be seen in the upper right corner, above our barrel in discussion.

Thank you so much
and best as always,

Michael

[Spiridonov]

Originally Posted by Matchlock

What I am hoping moreover is that your 'good man' also has photos of the smaller (most probably bronze) arquebus barrel of ca. 1490-1510 that can be seen in the upper right corner, above our barrel in discussion.

Hello, Michael! Unfortunatly "good man" (Иван Иванов(Ivan Ivanov)) don't have photos of these barrel. But i can share another photos from Grandson Castle. I am still waiting the photo of barrel from Grandson battlefield.

[Matchlock]

Thank you for these, Alexander,

I feel now it's my turn to comment.

From top:

A rare and heavy combined cannon and haquebut barrel, South German, ca. 1500; note the additional trunnions and the flat pan that, interestingly enough, has no provision for a pivoting cover.

A fine Nuremberg cast copper alloy (most certainly bronze) haquebut barrel divided into four stages, ca. 1515, possibly dated within the raised double band on the rear stage, and extended muzzle section (Mündungskopf), and equipped with fully developed back and foresights. The pan seems to be a later repair. Just to convey an impression of how the stock looked like, I attach pictures of my contemporary Nuremberg bronze haquebut showing the very same staging of the barrel.

Two detached breech loading chambers from cannons, mid 15th c., the lower one struck with a mark in the shape of a star or a sparkle (!) right behind the touchhole. The 'linstock' is a very poor and formally inapt modern replica. Attached please find an image of an original mid 16th century linstock from my collection.

On the next two barrels, please see my comments together with the photos I posted above.

Bottom:
A small cast bronze arquebus barrrel, possibly of Swiss make, late 15th c., in excavated condition.

Best,
Michael

[Matchlock]

Here is a detail of the rear section of the Grandson barrel, ca. 1470, showing the pan, touchhole and small blade back sight.

Best,
m

[Swordfish]

Originally Posted by Spiridonov

Hello, Michael! Unfortunatly "good man" (Иван Иванов(Ivan Ivanov)) don't have photos of these barrel. But i can share another photos from Grandson Castle. I am still waiting the photo of barrel from Grandson battlefield.

Hallo,

the bronce barrel with the trunnions was sold Galerie Fischer June 1994 and was described as french.
The bronce barrel at the bottom was found in a river in Alsace an sold at the same sale.

Best wishes

[Matchlock]

Thank you, Swordfish,

for this enlightening input!

Best,
Michael