1530-50 wheel-lock pistols originally belonging to the Emperor Charles

[Matchlock]

Marc,

Thank you so much for the information kindly provided about the Real Armería Madrid (RAM).

I was aware of the bad lighting conditions; a friend of mine was there and had a very expensive camera but the low light, the glass and the red decoration spoilt almost everything. The other pics that I posted I had found in the internet, accompanied by the same kind of comments.

Actually there is a number of very good and large photos of some of the RAM's earliest harquebuses and pistols (I posted one of them above) in
Javier Sagrera Azpillaga: Apuntes de la Armería Espanola, siglos XVI a XIX. Madrid, 2001. ISBN 84-607-2327-5. 502 pp. (ca. 150-160 USD).

It is a highly recommendable book, notwithstanding the fact that many of the wheel-lock and flintlock pistols from an apparently private collection are partly fakes and/or in very poor condition.

I am always grateful for hints on new or old publications where 15th/16th century firearms are illustrated, especially from the RAM. Nobody is perfect, neither is my library.

I am also in desparate search of color illustations from Charles V's Inventario Iluminado. They have them in the RAM but they will not answer back to a foreigner.

If anyone could make contacts to the staff of the RAM for me, that would be really great!!! Writing and reading Spanish is not the problem.

Michael

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Matchlock

... I am always grateful for hints on new or old publications where 15th/16th century firearms are illustrated, especially from the RAM. Nobody is perfect, neither is my library ...

Hi Michael,
You probably have this one ... but just in case:
'A History of SPANISH FIREARMS' by James D. Lavin (1965).
It contains various pieces made by the Marquarts, including the one you posted above, as well as from other smiths, as other specimens from the Real Armeria.
I bought an used copy, couple years ago; it's nice and rather comprehensive ... in my layman's perspective.
Fernando

[fernando]

Hola Marc,
Have sent you an email.
Thanks
Fernando

[Matchlock]

Thank you, Fernando,

I have Lavin's book. It is good but the quality of the most important part - the photos - is a catastrophe.

He illustrates two pages from the Inventario Iluminado, and these I need in color!

Thanks again,
Michael

[Matchlock]

Actually there is a number of very good and large photos of some of the RAM's earliest harquebuses and pistols in
Javier Sagrera Azpillaga: Apuntes de la Armería Espanola, siglos XVI a XIX. Madrid, 2001. ISBN 84-607-2327-5. 502 pp. (ca. 150-160 USD).

I attach a scan of the small (ca. 80 cm) Spanish wheel-lock harquebus, the barrel dated 1555 or 1565, pictured on the cover.

It was sold at Sotheby's a couple of years ago. Although it features on the cover I could not find any reference in the book.

It may have been purchased by the RAM - does anyone know its whereabouts?

Michael

[Marc]

Michael,

It's a pleasure to be of any help.

Originally Posted by Matchlock

I was aware of the bad lighting conditions; a friend of mine was there and had a very expensive camera but the low light, the glass and the red decoration spoilt almost everything.

You tell ME

Originally Posted by Matchlock

I am also in desparate search of color illustations from Charles V's Inventario Iluminado. They have them in the RAM but they will not answer back to a foreigner.

If it makes you feel any better, for the locals isn't easy to have an answer back, either. It's not an excuse, but the RAM is absolutely understaffed and those who work there have to deal with a lot of things unrelated with strictly curatorial tasks. On the other hand, the "inventario" has not been published, as far as I know ( I DO want also a copy), so getting these images may be tricky... to say the less.
Anyway, you can contact me via e-mail, let's see if something can be worked out.
Best,
Marc

[Matchlock]

Thank you so much, Marc!

Please send a private message containing your email - thanks again.

Michael