15th century short wrought iron barrels - why there are so many around

Spiridonov · 8th April 2012, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matchlock

Please tell him to remember that the iron rings have to be forged separately, put on the barrel when white-warm and be fire-forged!

m

He knows it

Matchlock · 8th April 2012, 08:54 PM

All the better!

m

Matchlock · 14th March 2014, 11:43 AM

This most remarkable device, probably made in the Thirty Years War and re-using short, older barrels, is called Sturmkolben or Igel in German, and I would be glad to know the English equivalent.
Such multi-barreled devices account for the wide presence of short 15th-16th c. barrels which were 'on the loose' again when the device was destroyed or given up.
Preserved in the Army Museum, Stockholm.

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 14th March 2014, 12:06 PM

Similar samples in which older barrels are united are two 16th-17th c. Pechlanzen (pitch lances) in the Emden Armory.
The pitch incendiary mass was set afire and the lance was hurled by some sort of a catapult onto the shingled roofs of a besieged town where the delicate iron arrowheads got stuck, and the blazing tar/pitch would splatter around. Additionally, the short barrels are barbed for better contact with the roof shingles.
The saucer-like wooden plate at the bottom was meant to direct the splashing fire right onto the roof.

The measurements are:
overall length 2.25 m
width of the tar saucer 21 cm
weight 3.2 kg

I took these photos in 1987.

m

14th March 2014, 11:43 AM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	This most remarkable device, probably made in the Thirty Years War and re-using short, older barrels, is called Sturmkolben or Igel in German, and I would be glad to know the English equivalent. Such multi-barreled devices account for the wide presence of short 15th-16th c. barrels which were 'on the loose' again when the device was destroyed or given up. Preserved in the Army Museum, Stockholm. Best, Michael Attached Images

14th March 2014, 12:06 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Similar samples in which older barrels are united are two 16th-17th c. Pechlanzen (pitch lances) in the Emden Armory. The pitch incendiary mass was set afire and the lance was hurled by some sort of a catapult onto the shingled roofs of a besieged town where the delicate iron arrowheads got stuck, and the blazing tar/pitch would splatter around. Additionally, the short barrels are barbed for better contact with the roof shingles. The saucer-like wooden plate at the bottom was meant to direct the splashing fire right onto the roof. The measurements are: overall length 2.25 m width of the tar saucer 21 cm weight 3.2 kg I took these photos in 1987. m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 14th March 2014 at 05:46 PM.

8th April 2012, 08:54 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	All the better! m