Rarest Early Ammunition Accouterments: MATCHCORD/SLOW MATCH

[Matchlock]

Top to bottom:

- close up of a bundle of matchcord in the Veste Coburg collecctions (1)

- bundles of matchcord, and early 17th c. musketeers's bandoliers from the Emden Armory, each with an extra length of matchcord; author's colln. (2)

- thick type of earliest matchcord carrried in the hand: Diebold Schilling, Berne Chronicle, 1483 (2)

- thick matchcord for igniting a piece of tinder, carried wound around the arm or the arquebus: tapestries of the Battle of Pavia, 1525, Museo di Capodimonte, Naples (2)

- matchcord wound around a tinderlock arquebus, the serpentine way too tiny and delicate to actually receive the match: tapestry of Charles V's Conquest of Tunis, 1535, Madrid (1)

- earliest known surviving, thick type of matchcord, of rather soft consistency, 15th/16th c.; from Schloss Fronsberg, Styria/Austria; author's colln. (1)

[Matchlock]

They were acquired from the sale of the complete contents of the Schloss Hohenwerfen Armory near Salzburg/Austria at Anderson Galleries, New York, March 1 to 5, 1927:
The Great Historical Collection of Arms and Armour - the entire contents of the Armoury ... H.I.&R.H. Archduke Eugen, F.M., lots 201-206, 277-282, 705-710, 940-945, 957-962; two 'fuse-rope bundles' were included in each lot!
A copy of the original 1927 auction catalog is in the author's library.

The Higgins inventory gives an average length of 'ca. 20-30 m' per bundle, at an diameter of 'approxim. 12 mm' and a weight of '1 lb. 10 oz.'

It is also stated that their diameter of 12 mm 'suggests use with artillery linstock'. This statement has been contradicted above by the author.
It is all the less understandable considering the fact that the Higgins also acquired a number of matchlock muskets from that same sale; I would suggest putting a length of matchcord in their serpentines/match holders - I guarantee it will fit perfectly as soon as the wingnut has been adjusted!


The cover page of the 1927 sales catalog and a view of Hohenwerfen Castle are attached at bottom.



m

[fernando]

Dear Michl,
It is undeniable that it takes the deepest dedication to prepare and compile information of such extreme quality.
A great added value for members (and lurkers ) perusal and for the chest of the forum archives.
Thanks a lot for sharing.
Having attended this lecture, i now feel more than prepared to obtain a couple inches of matchcord, an obliging presence in a collection

P.S.
Sorry to divert but, the sight of the Hohenwerfen Castle is breathtaking .

[Matchlock]

Dear 'Nando,


Your excellently chosen wording and compliments made me blush.

Thank you so much, it really means a lot to me!


Yes, I guess dedication is exactly the word for what I have been trying to achieve and convey to others.


And: I too like the imposing view of Hohenwerfen Castle and posted it for the sake of it.


Best,
Michl

[Matchlock]

The bundle on top weighs 3.4 kg and might measure 10 m in length.

Simliar to the images I posted before, the close-ups allow to study the characteristic fibrous structure of match rope.


And a detached matchlock mechanism, Swedish, 1620's.


Best,
Michael

[Matchlock]

A few more.

[Matchlock]

And the matchlock mechanism für a Swedish military musket, 1620's.

m