Early Wheel-Locks and Their Spanners

Matchlock · 7th June 2009, 05:14 PM

Hi Cornelis,

Thank you so much for posting that fine and early Nuremberg puffer. Judging by the style of the hop umbles inlay, by the leaf shaped endings of the lock springs and by the head and pointed hat mark on the barrel, I should date this pistol even as early as the second half of the 1560's. There are various similar but mostly Augsburg made puffers in the Historic Museum Geneva, cf. Godoy: Armes à feu XVe-XVIIe siècle, as well as in the Landeszeughaus Graz, cf. Robert Brooker: Landeszeughaus Graz, Wheellock Collection, 2007.

Unfortunately I could not find any records on that special lock maker's mark. Athough there are several Nuremberg marks showing the lily motif and the initials HG in Stockel none of them is identical to that on your piece. It my be a closely related Nuremberg workshop mark, though.

Would you mind posting another two pics showing the whole puffer from both the lock and counter lock side?

Michael

cornelistromp · 7th June 2009, 06:09 PM

Hi Michael,

thank you, I also could not find the marks

at the moment the puffer is at a friend collector who does a small restoration for me ( a piece of leaf inlay at the front is partly missing)
I will list more pics end of June.

regards from Holland

cornelistromp · 3rd July 2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matchlock

Hi Cornelis,

Thank you so much for posting that fine and early Nuremberg puffer. Judging by the style of the hop umbles inlay, by the leaf shaped endings of the lock springs and by the head and pointed hat mark on the barrel, I should date this pistol even as early as the second half of the 1560's. There are various similar but mostly Augsburg made puffers in the Historic Museum Geneva, cf. Godoy: Armes à feu XVe-XVIIe siècle, as well as in the Landeszeughaus Graz, cf. Robert Brooker: Landeszeughaus Graz, Wheellock Collection, 2007.

Unfortunately I could not find any records on that special lock maker's mark. Athough there are several Nuremberg marks showing the lily motif and the initials HG in Stockel none of them is identical to that on your piece. It my be a closely related Nuremberg workshop mark, though.

Would you mind posting another two pics showing the whole puffer from both the lock and counter lock side?

Michael

Hi Michael,

Herewith some more foto's

Best regards

Emanuel · 3rd July 2009, 04:26 PM

I must say Michael and Cornelis, you give me a newfound appreciation for guns, their history and the intricacies of their development. The passion you put into the study of every part is inspiring.

Many thanks!
Emanuel

Jim McDougall · 4th July 2009, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emanuel

I must say Michael and Cornelis, you give me a newfound appreciation for guns, their history and the intricacies of their development. The passion you put into the study of every part is inspiring.

Many thanks!
Emanuel

Absolutely agree Emanuel! Both of these gentlemen are consistantly amazing as they share thier passion for these rarest of firearms with us here. Each installment of breathtaking photos is accompanied by keen attention to even the smallest of details, and as in this thread, information on a true rarity, the spanners on these wheellocks. The knowledge imparted here is magnificent.

I know next to nothing on these firearms, but I know that like me, many are paying close attention, and we are definitely learning, from two incredible professors!!

Thank you so much Michael and Cornelis!!!

All the best,
Jim

cornelistromp · 4th July 2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Absolutely agree Emanuel! Both of these gentlemen are consistantly amazing as they share thier passion for these rarest of firearms with us here. Each installment of breathtaking photos is accompanied by keen attention to even the smallest of details, and as in this thread, information on a true rarity, the spanners on these wheellocks. The knowledge imparted here is magnificent.

I know next to nothing on these firearms, but I know that like me, many are paying close attention, and we are definitely learning, from two incredible professors!!

Thank you so much Michael and Cornelis!!!

All the best,
Jim

Thank you both Emanuel and Jim for the nice motivating compliments.
compared to Michael's knowledge of 16thC arms I'm absolutely the student and not the professor, his detailed knowledge of 16thc characteristics is amazing.
Compared to Jim's ability to write articles like poetry, I have to classify myself below the student level. I really appreciate to have met you guys on this forum.

regards from Holland

Matchlock · 6th July 2009, 02:19 PM

Hi Cornelis,

Thanks a lot for these overall views! Very beautiful and early puffer!

Gentlemen, once more you made me blush.

I am glad to have been given the opportunity to join our forum and have regarded it as a game of give and take ever since. Believe me, the more specific knowledge you have amassed the lonelier you get. So again, it's really great to have you out there.

With all my very best wishes as always,
Michael

cornelistromp · 24th July 2009, 07:59 PM

the lock mechanism.

24th July 2009, 07:59 PM	#8
cornelistromp Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,060	the lock mechanism. Attached Images

7th June 2009, 05:14 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Cornelis, Thank you so much for posting that fine and early Nuremberg puffer. Judging by the style of the hop umbles inlay, by the leaf shaped endings of the lock springs and by the head and pointed hat mark on the barrel, I should date this pistol even as early as the second half of the 1560's. There are various similar but mostly Augsburg made puffers in the Historic Museum Geneva, cf. Godoy: Armes à feu XVe-XVIIe siècle, as well as in the Landeszeughaus Graz, cf. Robert Brooker: Landeszeughaus Graz, Wheellock Collection, 2007. Unfortunately I could not find any records on that special lock maker's mark. Athough there are several Nuremberg marks showing the lily motif and the initials HG in Stockel none of them is identical to that on your piece. It my be a closely related Nuremberg workshop mark, though. Would you mind posting another two pics showing the whole puffer from both the lock and counter lock side? Michael

7th June 2009, 06:09 PM	#2
cornelistromp Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,060	Hi Michael, thank you, I also could not find the marks at the moment the puffer is at a friend collector who does a small restoration for me ( a piece of leaf inlay at the front is partly missing) I will list more pics end of June. regards from Holland

3rd July 2009, 04:26 PM	#4
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	I must say Michael and Cornelis, you give me a newfound appreciation for guns, their history and the intricacies of their development. The passion you put into the study of every part is inspiring. Many thanks! Emanuel

6th July 2009, 02:19 PM	#7
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Cornelis, Thanks a lot for these overall views! Very beautiful and early puffer! Gentlemen, once more you made me blush. I am glad to have been given the opportunity to join our forum and have regarded it as a game of give and take ever since. Believe me, the more specific knowledge you have amassed the lonelier you get. So again, it's really great to have you out there. With all my very best wishes as always, Michael