Sea Monster-Shaped Arquebus, Italian, 15th C?

Matchlock · 22nd December 2011, 10:08 PM

Hi John,

Although especially the muzzle section clearly reflects the Italian Renaissance taste the piece obviously is a relatively modern though lavish wrought reproduction. As with many items in Dexter's (not Bivens's, he was one of the collectors) Scrapbooks, is is far from being kosher. It's just overexaggerated in both style and crafts; e.d., such a kind on grip is characteristic of the 19th c. Neo-Renaissance period.

Best,
Michael

cannonmn · 22nd December 2011, 10:43 PM

Thanks Michael, good to know, glad I haven't wasted any money insuring it!

Matchlock · 23rd December 2011, 01:11 AM

Fine, John,

At least my job paid then ...

m

cannonmn · 23rd December 2011, 03:10 AM

I shoot all my old guns, at least those which I'm sure won't be damaged by doing so. This is especially true for the bronze military cannons which are made to very high quality standards even if 200 years old.

Now that I know the Italian Sea Monster piece isn't that old, I may shoot it a few times with a modest powder charge and put the videos on you-tube. I've got about 260 videos on you-tube now, some of shooting cannons, some of military museum tours, some of gun shows, etc. etc. My you-tube username is "cannonmn" if you'd like to watch any of them. If you have trouble finding them I can supply links to a few.

Matchlock · 23rd December 2011, 08:26 PM

Flame ornaments on the barrel of a Nuremberg Landsknecht arquebus, dated 1539, preserved in the Germanic National Museum Nuremberg.

m

Matchlock · 23rd December 2011, 08:33 PM

North Italian (Brescia) matchlock arquebus with zoomorphic monster-mouthed muzzle section, ca. 1540.

m

Atlantia · 23rd December 2011, 10:12 PM

Its a great looking thing Cannonmn!
I'd love to own it. Please do post the vid here when you test fire it!!!

22nd December 2011, 10:08 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi John, Although especially the muzzle section clearly reflects the Italian Renaissance taste the piece obviously is a relatively modern though lavish wrought reproduction. As with many items in Dexter's (not Bivens's, he was one of the collectors) Scrapbooks, is is far from being kosher. It's just overexaggerated in both style and crafts; e.d., such a kind on grip is characteristic of the 19th c. Neo-Renaissance period. Best, Michael Last edited by Matchlock; 22nd December 2011 at 10:29 PM.

23rd December 2011, 03:10 AM	#4
cannonmn Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 161	Now I can shoot it and not worry I shoot all my old guns, at least those which I'm sure won't be damaged by doing so. This is especially true for the bronze military cannons which are made to very high quality standards even if 200 years old. Now that I know the Italian Sea Monster piece isn't that old, I may shoot it a few times with a modest powder charge and put the videos on you-tube. I've got about 260 videos on you-tube now, some of shooting cannons, some of military museum tours, some of gun shows, etc. etc. My you-tube username is "cannonmn" if you'd like to watch any of them. If you have trouble finding them I can supply links to a few.

23rd December 2011, 08:26 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Flame ornaments on the barrel of a Nuremberg Landsknecht arquebus, dated 1539, preserved in the Germanic National Museum Nuremberg. m Attached Images

23rd December 2011, 08:33 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	North Italian (Brescia) matchlock arquebus with zoomorphic monster-mouthed muzzle section, ca. 1540. m Attached Images

22nd December 2011, 10:43 PM	#2
cannonmn Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 161	Thanks Michael, good to know, glad I haven't wasted any money insuring it!

23rd December 2011, 01:11 AM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Fine, John, At least my job paid then ... m

23rd December 2011, 10:12 PM	#7
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Its a great looking thing Cannonmn! I'd love to own it. Please do post the vid here when you test fire it!!!