A Very Rare Nuremberg Arquebus 'Bronze'/Brass Barrel, ca. 1500-10

Matchlock · 14th April 2012, 08:38 PM

Another, similar Landsknecht arquebus but of plainer and somewhat earlier type, not yet fitted with a lock mechanism and the stock left unvarnished but mounted with a brass barrel, together with a thick length of match cord, a powder horn and a priming flask, is depicted as part of the Herrenberg Altarpiece, by Jörg Ratgeb, 1518-9.

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Matchlock · 15th April 2012, 09:53 PM

An arquebus, similar to the one illustrated by Jörg Ratgeb, mounted with a brass barrel, the snap-tinderlock serpentine inaptly depicted to be attached on the right-hand side of the barrel (!), from the earliest Maximilian armory inventory, by Bartholomäus Freysleben, ca. 1495-1500, cod. icon. 222, fol. 181v.

It is labeled as messing hanndtpüchse (brass-barreled arquebus).

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Matchlock · 17th April 2012, 06:01 PM

Another brass arquebus barrel, of comparable dimensions but with socket for a (replaced) tiller stock, the pan with no provision for a cover, with early-style bell-mouthed muzzle, ca. 1490-1500, from the former arsenal of the Princes of Schwarzburg, now in the museum in Rudolstadt, Thuringia; author's photos, 2000.

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Matchlock · 17th April 2012, 06:05 PM

For much more information on Late-Gothic brass and iron arquebus barrels, please see my thread

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=bronze+tiller

Best,
Michael

Spiridonov · 17th April 2012, 11:01 PM

Michael, great photos! As You have guessed socketed handgonnes is my favorite type. Thank You for sharing this photos. By the way what is the shapeless piece of bronze on the bottom side of the barrel? Is it broken hook?

Matchlock · 19th April 2012, 04:36 PM

You really are a great observer, Alexender!

Honestly I was wishing you would not ask because I don't know what it is. It looks like some amateurish later addition for what reason ever. Actually its position is too far at the rear for being the rest of a former hook. Seems like it is screwed to the barrel.
I just tend to ignore it. Nobody can explain for any possible later alteration on a 500 year-old item.

Anyway, I have added another close up.

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 19th April 2012, 05:30 PM

A very similar socketed tiller arquebus is illustrated in a miniature in the illuminated Book of Hours (Stundenbuch) belonging to Mary of Burgundy, first wife of the later Emperor Maximilian I, ca. 1470 (portaits attached).

Please note that the arquebus is ignited by a piece of coal or tinder, and that several balls are shown leaving the muzzle.

Best,
Michael

14th April 2012, 08:38 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Another, similar Landsknecht arquebus but of plainer and somewhat earlier type, not yet fitted with a lock mechanism and the stock left unvarnished but mounted with a brass barrel, together with a thick length of match cord, a powder horn and a priming flask, is depicted as part of the Herrenberg Altarpiece, by Jörg Ratgeb, 1518-9. m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 15th April 2012 at 01:33 AM.

15th April 2012, 09:53 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	An arquebus, similar to the one illustrated by Jörg Ratgeb, mounted with a brass barrel, the snap-tinderlock serpentine inaptly depicted to be attached on the right-hand side of the barrel (!), from the earliest Maximilian armory inventory, by Bartholomäus Freysleben, ca. 1495-1500, cod. icon. 222, fol. 181v. It is labeled as messing hanndtpüchse (brass-barreled arquebus). m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 15th April 2012 at 11:18 PM.

17th April 2012, 06:01 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Another brass arquebus barrel, of comparable dimensions but with socket for a (replaced) tiller stock, the pan with no provision for a cover, with early-style bell-mouthed muzzle, ca. 1490-1500, from the former arsenal of the Princes of Schwarzburg, now in the museum in Rudolstadt, Thuringia; author's photos, 2000. m Attached Images

19th April 2012, 04:36 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	You really are a great observer, Alexender! Honestly I was wishing you would not ask because I don't know what it is. It looks like some amateurish later addition for what reason ever. Actually its position is too far at the rear for being the rest of a former hook. Seems like it is screwed to the barrel. I just tend to ignore it. Nobody can explain for any possible later alteration on a 500 year-old item. Anyway, I have added another close up. Best, Michael Attached Images

19th April 2012, 05:30 PM	#7
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A very similar socketed tiller arquebus is illustrated in a miniature in the illuminated Book of Hours (Stundenbuch) belonging to Mary of Burgundy, first wife of the later Emperor Maximilian I, ca. 1470 (portaits attached). Please note that the arquebus is ignited by a piece of coal or tinder, and that several balls are shown leaving the muzzle. Best, Michael Attached Images

17th April 2012, 06:05 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	For much more information on Late-Gothic brass and iron arquebus barrels, please see my thread http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=bronze+tiller Best, Michael

17th April 2012, 11:01 PM	#5
Spiridonov Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Russia, Leningrad Posts: 355	Michael, great photos! As You have guessed socketed handgonnes is my favorite type. Thank You for sharing this photos. By the way what is the shapeless piece of bronze on the bottom side of the barrel? Is it broken hook?