Incendiary quarrels/arrows/crossbow bolts

M ELEY · 15th January 2012, 11:12 AM

Awesome pics of these extremely rare combustibles. It's amazing that even in those days, weapons were designed to do the most damage, even to those trying to put them out. Dare I say 'terrorist tactics'? Would love to have one of them in my maritime collection. Perhaps someday...

Matchlock · 15th January 2012, 06:40 PM

Hi Marc,

A friend of mine, situated not very far from Coburg, rebuilds these Coburg 'fire bales' (Leuchtballen) as working replicas!!!

Best,
Michael

M ELEY · 16th January 2012, 01:31 AM

I will definately keep that in mind, Michael. Thank you! I, of course, prefer the real deals, but if I ever get time to teach local workshops at libraries,schools, etc, on maritime weapons, a replica would be great for this.

junker · 16th January 2012, 06:16 PM

Hi m Eley and Michael,

I saw these replicas in action at the "Zeitreise" in Autumn 2011 in Coburg.
And I learned, that the men in these times think over the problem with the shooting parts of the fire bags. They had a kind of wheelbarrow which could be put over the Fire bags with the result, that the fire might got out because of no more oxygen and the men is as well protected, if the wood is thick enough.

Dirk

Matchlock · 16th January 2012, 06:48 PM

Exactly, Dirk,

Thanks for the input.

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 20th March 2012, 01:01 PM

Going back to the title of this thread, here comes another sample of an extremely rare 14th-16th c. incendiary crossbow bolt retaining its original burning mass. It resembles one of the two incendiary quarrels that I posted from my friend's collection in the beginning.
From the Klingbeil collection, sold in 2011, where it was in one lot together with a late 17th c. hunting crossbow.
Length 45 cm.

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 24th April 2012, 03:41 PM

Sold Hermann Historica, Munich, yesterday.

Some with stamped markings but only those retaining their fuses (and probably all their fillings!) sold, and only at the estimate. That was a unique opportunity.

m

Andi · 18th April 2014, 06:55 PM

Let me take the opportunity to post some photos of the Fire or Light Balls (in German: Feuerballen, Leuchtballen, Leuchtfässer or Sturmfässer) form the permanent exhibition of Veste Coburg, Bavaria, Germany. Please excuse the reflections on the photos as I had not much time to prevent them.

The large containers (Leucht-/Sturmfässer) on the second and third image and the 3 from the right on the fourth image, are really huge they have diameters between 27-33 cm and height ranging from 26 - 50 cm. The inner construction is a rough wooden barrel covered in a linnen fabric and overknitted with hemp ropes.

The smaller Fire Balls (Image 1 and 5) have dimensions of a coconut. One is with small projectiles (German: Mordschlägen) which are missing on the other model with the visible hole. They were made of a linnen bag filled with a highly flammable mass of blackpowder, sufur, salpeter and others. They are also overknitted with hemp ropes. They are dated probably to 17th Century.

Unfortunately the forums software mixed up the intended order of the images.

Matchlock · 18th April 2014, 07:28 PM

Another great job, Andi,

Thanks a lot for showing these rarities!

May I add the average measurements:
the bigger barrels used in attacking a fortress (Sturmfässer): ca. 30-38 x 30-45 cm,
the gleaming 'bulbs' (Leuchtballen): 14-17 x 16-20 cm.

They most probably date from the Thirty Years War (1618-1648).

Diverging from the norm, I attached an image of an exact replica of a Coburg Leuchtballen, made by Armin König, to illustrate the construction containing small grenades (Mordschläge).

Quite nasty things - the terms downplaying their dangerousness ...

Best,
Michael

Andi · 4th May 2014, 11:20 AM

Tonight we have launched some pages about incendiary devices and grenades on our web page (Sorry that they are available in German language only but we hope get them translated into English in the near future)

http://bummsbrigade.de/cms/index.php/de/zeug/feuerwerk

Matchlock · 4th May 2014, 06:49 PM

Great site, Andi,

And perfectly researched and illustrated as well, providing tons of historic material from original sources (14th to 16th century manuscripts and books)!
An exemplary and highly commendable site, also from an academic point of view!

Everybody interested in early warfare and earliest firearms - GO THERE!

Best,
Michael

20th March 2012, 01:01 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Going back to the title of this thread, here comes another sample of an extremely rare 14th-16th c. incendiary crossbow bolt retaining its original burning mass. It resembles one of the two incendiary quarrels that I posted from my friend's collection in the beginning. From the Klingbeil collection, sold in 2011, where it was in one lot together with a late 17th c. hunting crossbow. Length 45 cm. Best, Michael Attached Images

24th April 2012, 03:41 PM	#7
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Some Interesting 18th C. Cast-Iron Grenades Retaining Their Fuses! Sold Hermann Historica, Munich, yesterday. Some with stamped markings but only those retaining their fuses (and probably all their fillings!) sold, and only at the estimate. That was a unique opportunity. m Attached Images

18th April 2014, 06:55 PM	#8
Andi Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Halstenbek, Germany Posts: 203	Let me take the opportunity to post some photos of the Fire or Light Balls (in German: Feuerballen, Leuchtballen, Leuchtfässer or Sturmfässer) form the permanent exhibition of Veste Coburg, Bavaria, Germany. Please excuse the reflections on the photos as I had not much time to prevent them. The large containers (Leucht-/Sturmfässer) on the second and third image and the 3 from the right on the fourth image, are really huge they have diameters between 27-33 cm and height ranging from 26 - 50 cm. The inner construction is a rough wooden barrel covered in a linnen fabric and overknitted with hemp ropes. The smaller Fire Balls (Image 1 and 5) have dimensions of a coconut. One is with small projectiles (German: Mordschlägen) which are missing on the other model with the visible hole. They were made of a linnen bag filled with a highly flammable mass of blackpowder, sufur, salpeter and others. They are also overknitted with hemp ropes. They are dated probably to 17th Century. Unfortunately the forums software mixed up the intended order of the images. Attached Images

18th April 2014, 07:28 PM	#9
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Another great job, Andi, Thanks a lot for showing these rarities! May I add the average measurements: the bigger barrels used in attacking a fortress (Sturmfässer): ca. 30-38 x 30-45 cm, the gleaming 'bulbs' (Leuchtballen): 14-17 x 16-20 cm. They most probably date from the Thirty Years War (1618-1648). Diverging from the norm, I attached an image of an exact replica of a Coburg Leuchtballen, made by Armin König, to illustrate the construction containing small grenades (Mordschläge). Quite nasty things - the terms downplaying their dangerousness ... Best, Michael Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 18th April 2014 at 07:45 PM.

15th January 2012, 11:12 AM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,153	Awesome pics of these extremely rare combustibles. It's amazing that even in those days, weapons were designed to do the most damage, even to those trying to put them out. Dare I say 'terrorist tactics'? Would love to have one of them in my maritime collection. Perhaps someday...

15th January 2012, 06:40 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Marc, A friend of mine, situated not very far from Coburg, rebuilds these Coburg 'fire bales' (Leuchtballen) as working replicas!!! Best, Michael

16th January 2012, 01:31 AM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,153	I will definately keep that in mind, Michael. Thank you! I, of course, prefer the real deals, but if I ever get time to teach local workshops at libraries,schools, etc, on maritime weapons, a replica would be great for this.

16th January 2012, 06:16 PM	#4
junker Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 140	Hi m Eley and Michael, I saw these replicas in action at the "Zeitreise" in Autumn 2011 in Coburg. And I learned, that the men in these times think over the problem with the shooting parts of the fire bags. They had a kind of wheelbarrow which could be put over the Fire bags with the result, that the fire might got out because of no more oxygen and the men is as well protected, if the wood is thick enough. Dirk

16th January 2012, 06:48 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Exactly, Dirk, Thanks for the input. Best, Michael

4th May 2014, 11:20 AM	#10
Andi Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Halstenbek, Germany Posts: 203	Tonight we have launched some pages about incendiary devices and grenades on our web page (Sorry that they are available in German language only but we hope get them translated into English in the near future) http://bummsbrigade.de/cms/index.php/de/zeug/feuerwerk

4th May 2014, 06:49 PM	#11
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Great site, Andi, And perfectly researched and illustrated as well, providing tons of historic material from original sources (14th to 16th century manuscripts and books)! An exemplary and highly commendable site, also from an academic point of view! Everybody interested in early warfare and earliest firearms - GO THERE! Best, Michael