Photos from museum of Tabor. Czechia

Spiridonov · 30th July 2009, 01:10 PM

Where was stored a ramrod using the weapon of this kind?
It could be in the barrel channel on a march but during time when the barrel has been charged it it was impossible.

Matchlock · 30th July 2009, 05:11 PM

Very good question indeed, Spiridonov!

Ramrods of Gothic and Renaissance artillery pieces, such as haquebuts/wallguns, were not an integral part of the stock and barrel, as was the case with handguns/arquebuses. To fully understand this answer one should bear in mind that such relatively heavy pieces were mounted on special carriages for field use which were often equipped with more than one haquebut. These carriages also held all the accouterments necessary for loading and cleaning the guns, including ramrods, readily measured and packed loads etc.

I attach some watercolors from the Landshuter Zeughausinventar, the armory inventory, set up by Ulrich Bessnitzer in 1485 (Landshut is a medieval city in Lower Bavaria mostly known for their armorers) depicting 'brass' or 'bronze' haquebut barrrels on their carriages together with all the loading implements which were stored in special painted wooden chests (Zeuglade, Zeug meaning weapons and Lade meaning chest).
The text to the first illustration states that 'Sechs Streitwagen zu Hagkenpuchsn', six war carriages for haquebuts, were kept in the Landshut armory in 1485!

The last illustration shows 'Hultzein Ladung', wooden containers for measured barrel loads of powder - the predecessors of bandoliers!

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 30th July 2009, 05:36 PM

Hi Spiridonov,

Now back to your question about ramrods of portable handguns/arquebuses such as the small Hussite barrel of ca. 1430 which originally had a tiller stock: a stick stock usually had no provision for a ramrod and the latter had to be carried separately.

As we see on the Polish gun of ca. 1500 though, this problem was sometimes solved by drilling the tiller/stick stock out and storing the ramrod there (last picture).

Other clever solutions were mounting the ramrod on the left side of the forestock when a hook made a ramrod chanel impossible below the barrel, or make the hook with a loop for the rod to pass thru.

Samples attached.

Best,
Michael

Spiridonov · 3rd August 2009, 09:06 PM

Hollow, Michael

I have some questions about this barrel:

1. What is the calibre of this gun?
2. I saw some brands on this weapon. It would be desirable to consider them more in detail if it is possible
3. How does the barrel connected with stock?
4. Was the barrel painted or not?
5. What is the strange metall tip at the ramrod?
6. was the stock been impregnated by something or not? For example, linen oil
7. How does it dated?

With the best regards, Alexander!

Spiridonov · 11th August 2009, 06:00 PM

can anybody aswear my questions?

Matchlock · 12th August 2009, 01:11 PM

Hi Alexander,

As to your questions about the early Pilsen handgun:

1. I do not know the caliber.

2. The marks on the stocks are no doubt owner's or arsenal markings. I will try and zoom them from the 100 year old photograph.

3. The barrel and stock seem to be connected only by means of the hook.

4. I don't know.

5. The iron finial of the ramrod is a scourer meant for cleaning the barrel walls.

6. I don't know.

7. I date the piece ca. 1430, the barrel may be as early as the late 14th century.

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 12th August 2009, 02:42 PM

A zoom of the mark on the left side of the butt; it seems to be a simple arsenal or housemark.

Michael

30th July 2009, 05:11 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Very good question indeed, Spiridonov! Ramrods of Gothic and Renaissance artillery pieces, such as haquebuts/wallguns, were not an integral part of the stock and barrel, as was the case with handguns/arquebuses. To fully understand this answer one should bear in mind that such relatively heavy pieces were mounted on special carriages for field use which were often equipped with more than one haquebut. These carriages also held all the accouterments necessary for loading and cleaning the guns, including ramrods, readily measured and packed loads etc. I attach some watercolors from the Landshuter Zeughausinventar, the armory inventory, set up by Ulrich Bessnitzer in 1485 (Landshut is a medieval city in Lower Bavaria mostly known for their armorers) depicting 'brass' or 'bronze' haquebut barrrels on their carriages together with all the loading implements which were stored in special painted wooden chests (Zeuglade, Zeug meaning weapons and Lade meaning chest). The text to the first illustration states that 'Sechs Streitwagen zu Hagkenpuchsn', six war carriages for haquebuts, were kept in the Landshut armory in 1485! The last illustration shows 'Hultzein Ladung', wooden containers for measured barrel loads of powder - the predecessors of bandoliers! Best, Michael Attached Images

30th July 2009, 05:36 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Spiridonov, Now back to your question about ramrods of portable handguns/arquebuses such as the small Hussite barrel of ca. 1430 which originally had a tiller stock: a stick stock usually had no provision for a ramrod and the latter had to be carried separately. As we see on the Polish gun of ca. 1500 though, this problem was sometimes solved by drilling the tiller/stick stock out and storing the ramrod there (last picture). Other clever solutions were mounting the ramrod on the left side of the forestock when a hook made a ramrod chanel impossible below the barrel, or make the hook with a loop for the rod to pass thru. Samples attached. Best, Michael Attached Images

12th August 2009, 02:42 PM	#7
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A zoom of the mark on the left side of the butt; it seems to be a simple arsenal or housemark. Michael Attached Images

30th July 2009, 01:10 PM	#1
Spiridonov Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Russia, Leningrad Posts: 355	Where was stored a ramrod using the weapon of this kind? It could be in the barrel channel on a march but during time when the barrel has been charged it it was impossible.

3rd August 2009, 09:06 PM	#4
Spiridonov Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Russia, Leningrad Posts: 355	Hollow, Michael I have some questions about this barrel: 1. What is the calibre of this gun? 2. I saw some brands on this weapon. It would be desirable to consider them more in detail if it is possible 3. How does the barrel connected with stock? 4. Was the barrel painted or not? 5. What is the strange metall tip at the ramrod? 6. was the stock been impregnated by something or not? For example, linen oil 7. How does it dated? With the best regards, Alexander!

11th August 2009, 06:00 PM	#5
Spiridonov Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Russia, Leningrad Posts: 355	can anybody aswear my questions?

12th August 2009, 01:11 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Alexander, As to your questions about the early Pilsen handgun: 1. I do not know the caliber. 2. The marks on the stocks are no doubt owner's or arsenal markings. I will try and zoom them from the 100 year old photograph. 3. The barrel and stock seem to be connected only by means of the hook. 4. I don't know. 5. The iron finial of the ramrod is a scourer meant for cleaning the barrel walls. 6. I don't know. 7. I date the piece ca. 1430, the barrel may be as early as the late 14th century. Best, Michael