The ONLY KNOWN ORIGINAL INCENDIARY GUN ARROW, 14th-15th century!!!

machinist · 6th May 2014, 05:09 AM

It just amazes me the idea of finding something like this in a house where it has lain for so many centuries, for me as an American this is through-the-looking-glass fantasy stuff. It makes sense the shaft would dismount easy, if it comes out from the head upon impact there is less likelihood of it pulling the flaming point out. Such a fragile thing to have lasted so long in working order. Thanks for the post Matchlock.

Matchlock · 6th May 2014, 08:09 PM

My pleasure, Machinist,

I would not really call the state of preservation that arrow is in 'working order', though ...

Best,
Michael

Marcus den toom · 6th May 2014, 09:03 PM

I wouldn't be so sure about that Michl, it is german quality afterall

Matchlock · 6th May 2014, 09:51 PM

Thank you so much, Marcus,

Oh, it sure was 'made in Germany' about half a thousand years ago - but so am I, and I'm only 61.

Now, what of us humble living beings will have survived in 500 years?

I think these old, part organic objects that some of us are lucky enough to possess and touch for a span of time, have been doing much better so far ...

Best,
Michl

Marcus den toom · 15th May 2014, 09:08 PM

I found this incendiary crossbow arrow of similare structure as the incendiary gun arrow.

The auction company compares the crossbow arrow with one at the Museum of history in Bern (germany). The arrow at this museum was found at the fortress of Altbüron (today's Switserland) which was destroyed in the year 1309.

This arrow at the museum gives us an even earlier date as to this design. Like Michael already stated though, the depiction of such a gunarrow with cannon first appeared in 1326-7

.

Auction: Hermann-Historica, 59 lot number 4609. qpril 9/10th 2010.

Matchlock · 19th May 2014, 11:45 AM

This unique piece was purchased at That ouction by the Armory of the Veste Coburg, Northern Bavaria, and is now proudly preserved in their collections!

m

Marcus den toom · 19th May 2014, 01:24 PM

Thank you Michl,

The price was absolutely ridiculous, but Coburg deserved this lucky bargain.
I enquired about the specimen that was found in the ruins of Altbüron and was told that in 2012 Christoph Rösch made a book with this piece in it: "Altbüron. Die Metallfunde der 1309 zerstörten Burg. Archäologische Schriften Luzern 14, Luzern 2012. "

15th May 2014, 09:08 PM	#5
Marcus den toom Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 535	Incendiary crossbow arrow I found this incendiary crossbow arrow of similare structure as the incendiary gun arrow. The auction company compares the crossbow arrow with one at the Museum of history in Bern (germany). The arrow at this museum was found at the fortress of Altbüron (today's Switserland) which was destroyed in the year 1309. This arrow at the museum gives us an even earlier date as to this design. Like Michael already stated though, the depiction of such a gunarrow with cannon first appeared in 1326-7 . Auction: Hermann-Historica, 59 lot number 4609. qpril 9/10th 2010. Last edited by Marcus den toom; 16th May 2014 at 08:56 AM.

6th May 2014, 05:09 AM	#1
machinist Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 93	It just amazes me the idea of finding something like this in a house where it has lain for so many centuries, for me as an American this is through-the-looking-glass fantasy stuff. It makes sense the shaft would dismount easy, if it comes out from the head upon impact there is less likelihood of it pulling the flaming point out. Such a fragile thing to have lasted so long in working order. Thanks for the post Matchlock.

6th May 2014, 08:09 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	My pleasure, Machinist, I would not really call the state of preservation that arrow is in 'working order', though ... Best, Michael

6th May 2014, 09:03 PM	#3
Marcus den toom Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 535	I wouldn't be so sure about that Michl, it is german quality afterall

6th May 2014, 09:51 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Thank you so much, Marcus, Oh, it sure was 'made in Germany' about half a thousand years ago - but so am I, and I'm only 61. Now, what of us humble living beings will have survived in 500 years? I think these old, part organic objects that some of us are lucky enough to possess and touch for a span of time, have been doing much better so far ... Best, Michl

19th May 2014, 11:45 AM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	This unique piece was purchased at That ouction by the Armory of the Veste Coburg, Northern Bavaria, and is now proudly preserved in their collections! m

19th May 2014, 01:24 PM	#7
Marcus den toom Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 535	Thank you Michl, The price was absolutely ridiculous, but Coburg deserved this lucky bargain. I enquired about the specimen that was found in the ruins of Altbüron and was told that in 2012 Christoph Rösch made a book with this piece in it: "Altbüron. Die Metallfunde der 1309 zerstörten Burg. Archäologische Schriften Luzern 14, Luzern 2012. "