handgonne (handbüchse) from Sammlung Baumann aus Rothenburg ob der Tauber

fernando · 3rd January 2018, 01:51 PM

Hi Marcus,
So the first illustration you posted is also a later version of the original which, added to my two copies, makes Taccola be be proud of so much resource to his work.
Nevertheless what we are facing is imaginative/stylized ideas, produced by the master of devices not brought into practice. In other words we all agree that, the functional version of hand gonnes being used by horsemen was yet to be established, the hook being so far an illustrative appendix. I am not versed in dynamics but, i take it that the implements designed to hold still the gun, would have to be subject to serious ponderation as, it the shooting caused some sifnificant recoil, would not only be the saddle rest to tackle the impact but also the shooters breast sternum

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Pukka Bundook · 3rd January 2018, 03:12 PM

Dear Fernando,

I too believe these images to be imaginative.
The 'rest' for the barrel could not be used as such, as the whole apparatus would merely sink down onto the horses neck. Recoil on the other hand, would tend to lift the barrel out of the fork, and just as you say, deliver the blow to the saddle, sternum, and if the barrel lifted much, possible the firer's face!
Even as a child when I first saw these images, I thought them fanciful, just like the camel images we see with a great big cannon tied to it's side!

3rd January 2018, 01:51 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Hi Marcus, So the first illustration you posted is also a later version of the original which, added to my two copies, makes Taccola be be proud of so much resource to his work. Nevertheless what we are facing is imaginative/stylized ideas, produced by the master of devices not brought into practice. In other words we all agree that, the functional version of hand gonnes being used by horsemen was yet to be established, the hook being so far an illustrative appendix. I am not versed in dynamics but, i take it that the implements designed to hold still the gun, would have to be subject to serious ponderation as, it the shooting caused some sifnificant recoil, would not only be the saddle rest to tackle the impact but also the shooters breast sternum .

3rd January 2018, 03:12 PM	#2
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Dear Fernando, I too believe these images to be imaginative. The 'rest' for the barrel could not be used as such, as the whole apparatus would merely sink down onto the horses neck. Recoil on the other hand, would tend to lift the barrel out of the fork, and just as you say, deliver the blow to the saddle, sternum, and if the barrel lifted much, possible the firer's face! Even as a child when I first saw these images, I thought them fanciful, just like the camel images we see with a great big cannon tied to it's side!