Firing a Hand Gun

15^th Century European Hand Gun Fitted with sprung serpentine lock, tapered 26" barrel, catalogue No. 2/03.  This particular weapon has been featured in the excellent book:-

POWDER AND BALL SMALL ARMS

by Martin Pegler, Senior Curator at the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds.  We would like to thank the author and publishers The Crowood Press Ltd, for their kind permission for the use of the following extract from the book.

A mercenary hand-gunner of c.1470 begins the long process of loading his "first generation" matchlock.  He uses his powder horn to pour a charge of course powder, measured by eye and experience - early flasks had no cut-off in the nozzle to isolate a predetermined charge.  The simple swivel serpentine trigger bar and match holder can be seen clearly. 

He reaches into his bullet bag for a lead ball, which he drops into the barrel.  No wadding was used on this occasion.

Ramming the ball home with his wooden ramrod.  If speed were essential he would most likely have used a 'rolling ball' for the first few shots of an engagement - simply letting the ball drop into the barrel and seating it by banging the butt smartly against the ground.  The gross fouling of the barrel would probably prevent this after half a dozen shots.

Using a simple pricker to ensure the touch hole is clear of debris.  This simple but vital tool was ideally made from a sharp piece of wire - brass, so as to avoid sparks.

The comparatively shallow priming recess is visible on top of the breech.  Trying to fill it with a fine powder in high a wind was a challenging experience.

Clamping the matchcord in the jaws of the serpentine; ensuring it is exactly the right length to drop into the priming takes practice.  If there is a delay between this step and firing, the smouldering end of the cord may accumulate ash which cools the tip and preventing it igniting the priming powder - but blowing on the tip to keep it glowing risks blowing the priming out of it's open recess...  This is modern matchcord, medieval cord being coarser in texture.

as is happening in this picture.

The alternative method of firing was simply to ignore the serpentine and hold the match to the priming powder.  It seems likely that this was often done in the heat of battle.

The publication from which the above were taken is:- 

LIVE FIRING CLASSIC MILITARY WEAPONS IN COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS

POWDER AND BALL SMALL ARMS

Written by:        Martin Pegler

ISBN 1 86126 185 3

Price £25.00 + £2.50 - postage & packing

Published by:    The Crowood Press Ltd
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                            Marlborough
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