16th/17th century chain shot

[Jim McDougall]

Thanks Mark,
It has always seemed so interesting to me that there could be such force in low velocity dynamics concerning ballistics. To think that a projectile moving at a speed where it could easily be seen could have the ability to inflict such gruesome effect.
In combat between ships it seems that just before boarding, a volley was often fired to create confusion on deck, so lesser charge would be needed with the vessels closing. This shot would bring down rigging etc. to add to the confusion. ....at least thats what my pirate manual says but then them's just guidelines, right?

All the best,
Jim

[M ELEY]

'Pirate manual', aye? I always knew you were a true scalawag, Jim!

I was wondering if anyone with knowlegde of munitions has any concrete stories or historical references to portable coehorn cannons being taken to sea. In Gilkerson's 'Borders Away II', he seems to discourage the idea that a short-range portable mortar that fired an anti-personnel shell that dispersed grapeshot had much use in naval battles. Yet, many books mention coehorns and mention their use. True, it might have been a limited bombardment with two ships near each other and one basically lobbing shells onto the others' deck. Let's face it, the whole purpose of the 'fighting tops' was to kill as many of the enemy sailors on their decks as bullets would allow. Likewise, thrown grenadoes had the same effect. So why not a coehorn shell? Gilkerson says (I'm quoting from memory, so I might be wrong) that the fire produced from the blast could have set fire to the rigging, but this explanation seems weak, considering the use of swival guns, which also produced flame. Perhaps it was the unpredictability of the scattering of grape? With the swivals and cannon, the shot would have been directed directly at the enemy ship, whereas the lobbed coehorn shell came down and exploded, sending projectiles in every direction. Thoughts, anyone?

[Matchlock]

For more on grape shot and canister shot, please see my thread

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...d=1#post134755

Best,
Michael

[Matchlock]

Labeled as 18th/19th c., from the George F. Harding collection.

Best,
Michael

[Matchlock]

Another.

m

[fernando]

Fascinating little specimen ... and in Technicolor

[Matchlock]

... and Cinemascope!

[M ELEY]

Awesome new info and pics, Michael. Please keep 'em coming!
Mark

[Matchlock]

For more on quilted shot, please see

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...225#post138225

[Matchlock]

Canister grape shot of 1812:

http://images.ourontario.ca/niagaraf...ums/71962/data

m

[fernando]

Chain shot (and not only) pictured last week in the Navy Museum, situated in Torre Del Oro, Seville, Spain.
I looks like the black finishing is original.

.

[broadaxe]

What do you think about this item here: http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=5683

Personally, I think it is much too elaborated to be ammunition, and not too heavy to be thrown by hand.

[fernando]

Yes, too elaborated to be cannon stuff and about right to be thrown by hand ... by strong guys.
... and too risky to be posted; as still on active sale .

[broadaxe]

Originally Posted by fernando

Yes, too elaborated to be cannon stuff and about right to be thrown by hand ... by strong guys.
... and too risky to be posted; as still on active sale .

I see no problem - not an auction, the seller is active here and a personal friend. If you check the description you'll see he noted the two speculations (we even discussed it today ).