Not Only Barrels – Equipment for Firearms in the State of the Teutonic Order in Prussia
Journal Title: Ordines Militares Colloquia Torunensia Historica. Yearbook for the Study of the Military Orders - Year 2017, Vol 22, Issue
Abstract
The study focuses on equipment for firearms in the state of the Teutonic Order in Prussia in the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period. The paper is chiefly based on written sources, both concerning the Order itself (mainly account books, inventories and visitation reports) and those related to Prussian towns (chiefly account books). In some cases relevant pieces of information could also be retrieved from narrative sources. For the sake of comparison, data from contemporary and later manuscripts on firearms was consulted. The first issue which is dealt with are stocks for hand-held firearms and trestles, stands and carriages for artillery. In many cases it is possible to offer a closer identification of kinds of gun beds, trestles and carriages. Then, gun instruments are discussed: charging ladles, ramrods, linstocks, and the like, as well as various kinds of containers for gunpowder, projectiles and tools for firearms. Regrettably, it is only in exceptional cases that it is possible to relate discussed equipment to a particular gun. A separate section is devoted to the analysis of tools which were used in the manufacture of projectiles and gunpowder. In spite of all the limitations resulting from the nature of consulted sources, it is possible to offer a reasonable image of equipment which accompanied firearms in the Order’s state.
Authors and Affiliations
Grzegorz Żabiński
Keywords
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- EP ID EP306374
- DOI 10.12775/OM.2017.007
- Views 104
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