Masterfully researched and explained Fernando.
While understanding that trying to elaborate on the extraordinarily recorded details of this expedition, your summarizing them is much appreciated.
Lou brought to my attention the recent discovery of a Spanish gun found in southern Arizona which was referred to as a hackbus (haakbus, Dutch=hook gun). This was the root word for arquebus, basically the ancestor of the culverin, as I understand (corrections welcomed).
These haakbus were rampart guns (wall guns) and the hook was the feature extending in a hook or lug to steady the gun when firing by securing on a wall or battlement. In the field tripods or other makeshift devices worked as well.
Apparently Coronado in his 1541 expedition northward through Arizona had 6 of these guns, and archaeologists are confident this is one of them. These 40 pound pieces it notes were called 'versillos' (linguist assist plz), and it is noted such items had to be carried by horse or mule as larger equipment like carraiges or wagons would be impractical through unknown terrain.
Surely DeCosa had similar thinking, but it is noted he did have wagons of some sort.
The article noted was from "American Rifleman" , April 2023 by William Mapoles and Deni Seymour, as are the photos attached noting this gun is the earliest example of one forged in the New World (as shown in period woodcut).
|