John Morris 1©2011 Springfield Arsenal LLC. Agenda: Description/photos of the barrel...

John Morris

1©2011 Springfield Arsenal LLC

Agenda:Description/photos of the barrelQuestions/MethodsProvenance-famous, colorful original ownerMakerPhotos of similar hackbutsStock/Lock


Description of the HackbutCast bronze, Iron chaplets visible in breechLength 36.75 in., weight 36 lbs, bore 0.8 in.“Hook“ to take up recoil against solid objectFront and rear sightsOne bronze and one partial iron loop underneath


Description (cont’d)Unknown early coat of arms cast into breechHighly decorated; crosses, flames, trefoils,

etc.Flash pan on side drilled for cover (missing)Nothing remains of original wooden stock


Decoration


Details


Recent ProvenanceHistory prior to 1960’s is unknown; appears

excavated1960’s-1990’s: W. Keith Neale, Hampton P.

Howell Jr.John Morris acquired in 1990’s


Questions to be answered:Who made it and when?Who first owned it?Where might it have been used?What did the stock look like?Did it have a lock? If so, what kind?What do the decorations symbolize?


Research Avenues TriedQuestions posted on collector websitesNumerous web searchesGun Show displaysEmails to various expertsVisits with experts at Library of CongressSearches of armorials at Library of Congress


Coat of Arms Cast Into GunCOA is that of Schellenberg family of noblesThe peculiar “coffee cup” shape of shield

used on COA’s only ca. from 1470-1525.Ulrich von Schellenberg lived 1487-1558


Gun was made for Nobleman Ulrich von Schellenberg

Ulrich von Schellenberg earned law degree in Italy

Decided on the profession of arms about 1510Employed by Holy Roman Emperors

Maximilian I and successor Charles VCommanded up to 14,000 Swiss mercenariesKnown as fierce fighter and charismatic

leader in many battles in Italy ca. 15010-1529


Ulrich von Schellenberg (cont’d)

Colonel in Army of Holy Roman Empire (H.R.E.)

Knighted by both Maximilian I and Charles VServed as “secret council” to two emperors of

H.R.EWounded 36 times in one battle, but survivedUsed sheets to hide breech in fortress wallReturned to hometown in Bavaria in 1529Appointed as bailiff of the town of Feldkirch


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Decorations: Symbolic of what? Cross of four

fusils*

*Cram, Webber, CHURCH SYMBOLISM, Kessinger Publishing, 2003

Who cast this gun?Peter II Mulich of Nuremburg and Zwickau?

“Rings of undulating flames” decoration connects the hackbut to several large bronze cannons cast by Mulich ca. 1525

Hackbut is unsigned but all Mulich cannons were signed and dated

Mulich trained under uncle Peter Vischer; appointed as gunfounder to the Elector Frederick in 1523; was recorded as casting guns in 1523, 1525,1528, 1533; some of his guns shown in the Geschutzbuch of Charles V; retired 1557*

*Kennard, A.N., GUNFOUNDING AND GUNFOUNDERS, Arms and Armour Press, LTD, London, 1969


Similar rings of undulating flames on Charles V cannon named “Lion” by Peter II Mulich, Nuremberg, 1523*

*Essenwein, A., QUELLEN ZUR GESCHICHTE DER FEUERWAFFEN, Adademische Druck u.v. Graz 1969

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Charles V cannons dated 1523, 1529 with rings of undulating flames and rings of crosses*

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*Essenwein, A., QUELLEN ZUR GESCHICHTE DER FEUERWAFFEN, Adademische Druck u.v. Graz 1969

Maximilian arsenal inventories, early 16th century


From Zeugbuch of Maximilian 1

Bronze-barreled Hackbuts

Maximilian arsenal inventories, early 16th century


Iron-barreled hackbuts

From Zeugbuch of Maximilian 1

Example in German Museum, dated “1500-1510,” very similar to Schellenberg hackbut-note rear peep sight, front blade sight, gradual muzzle flare, flashpan, hook*

26 *Essenwein, A., QUELLEN ZUR GESCHICHTE DER FEUERWAFFEN, Adademische Druck u.v. Graz 1969

Details of flash pan and lock


Similar piece in the German National Museum

28©2011 Springfield Arsenal LLC Used with permission

Reverse


Stock attachment details (privately owned weapon)


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Siege of fortified town.

Schilling, Diebold. Burgerbibliothek Bern,Mss h.h.l.1, pp. 739

Ulrich von Schellenberg’s life and battles A= home, Feldkirch

•Famous Battles:•Novara 1513•Vicenze 1513• Bicocca 1522•Pavia 1525•Vienna 1529

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Pavia Campaign, 1525

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Battle of Pavia, 1525

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Battle of Pavia, 1525

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Detailed views of a complete, privately-owned hackbut



Details (cont’d)

John Morris 1©2011 Springfield Arsenal LLC. Agenda: Description/photos of the barrel...

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