Handgonnes?
- Thread starter Panzerschwein
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geim druth
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Swedish reenactors loading and firing handgonnes:
barnbwt
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For a hex barrel, I'd just buy a short Green Mountain blank and rig up a breech plug. Bore out the rifling if you want to be all historical.
I still can't read the word 'handgonne' without thinking; "Hand? Gone." I'm guessing this had something to do with them originally not having the distinctive wooden hafts and basically being cradled in the hand (this obviously hurt enough in addition to being risky* that the stocks were quickly added, and then blades to create the arquebus and much-later bayonet)
TCB
*Considering that other foot-soldiers were going mano-a-mano close-in with bladed weapons while hot oil was dumped on them, and other foot-soldiers were charging gates & walls under fire from archers while carrying lit hand-grenades, and all the rest slowly dying of typhus or plague or infected splinters, I doubt the explosion risk of early handgonnes stood out all that much.
I still can't read the word 'handgonne' without thinking; "Hand? Gone." I'm guessing this had something to do with them originally not having the distinctive wooden hafts and basically being cradled in the hand (this obviously hurt enough in addition to being risky* that the stocks were quickly added, and then blades to create the arquebus and much-later bayonet)
TCB
*Considering that other foot-soldiers were going mano-a-mano close-in with bladed weapons while hot oil was dumped on them, and other foot-soldiers were charging gates & walls under fire from archers while carrying lit hand-grenades, and all the rest slowly dying of typhus or plague or infected splinters, I doubt the explosion risk of early handgonnes stood out all that much.
OP
OP
Panzerschwein
member
Pretty neat, guys. I was all set to have a handgonne made for me but the guy was a total flake and was extremely difficult to contact. I canceled the order after much frustration.
SlowFuse
Member
Sounds like we may have dealt with the same guy Cooldill.
I cancelled a couple cannon barrels. Built one small scale handgonne (36 cal 9 inches) but when trying to get another and a larger scale cannon barrel I got blown off. This guy is more into mortars now.
I cancelled a couple cannon barrels. Built one small scale handgonne (36 cal 9 inches) but when trying to get another and a larger scale cannon barrel I got blown off. This guy is more into mortars now.
OP
OP
Panzerschwein
member
I know what you mean. Seems these handgonneneers aren't the most reliable type.
ironworkerwill
Member
Same here! But, back then I suppose all barrels had a welded seam.....
barnbwt
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...and rather sub-standard quality control for ball, powder, and measurement
WestKentucky
Member
For a simple "trigger" I would think a counter weighted swivel with a length of char-cord or whatever it's called with a rope attached would be both historically accurate and really easy to create.
Kaeto
Member
Actually most Hand Gonnes were ignited by a hot wire poked down the touchhole.
OP
OP
Panzerschwein
member
Not true. Most were ignited via slow match.
BCRider
Member
Depends on the time era. After all they used these things for over 200 years before some bright light got the idea of putting all the parts needed into one assembly AND fitting a shoulder stock and called it an Arquebus. Then slightly later on the fancier versions with a compound set of levers to move the serpentine seem to have been named "Matchlock". Or maybe the names were just different parts of the world.
Anyway the earlier use of the Handgonnes seems to have been centered around using the hot wire. There's write ups of old battles describing the handgonners grouped around a hot burning brazier to keep the iron wires glowing red and at need. The use of a slow match would be later once they figured out how to make slow match. And come to think of it a Arquebus would not have been possible until a usable slow match WAS available. And such is how history is made I suppose.
Either way it's surprising how slow the old original handgonne was developed into something more. But then when a line a couple of hundred bodies wide and fifty or more deep is running at you with pikes and swords there's no real need to aim. So maybe not so surprising.
When the day comes that I make one of my own it'll shoot .50Cal balls (.490 actually) because I have them on hand for a couple of flinters and my sole caplock.
Anyway the earlier use of the Handgonnes seems to have been centered around using the hot wire. There's write ups of old battles describing the handgonners grouped around a hot burning brazier to keep the iron wires glowing red and at need. The use of a slow match would be later once they figured out how to make slow match. And come to think of it a Arquebus would not have been possible until a usable slow match WAS available. And such is how history is made I suppose.
Either way it's surprising how slow the old original handgonne was developed into something more. But then when a line a couple of hundred bodies wide and fifty or more deep is running at you with pikes and swords there's no real need to aim. So maybe not so surprising.
When the day comes that I make one of my own it'll shoot .50Cal balls (.490 actually) because I have them on hand for a couple of flinters and my sole caplock.
OP
OP
Panzerschwein
member
Ah, I see.
I wish someone out there would offer handgonnes, at least the barrels, for sale on at least a limited commercial level. Most of the custom makers are flaky weirdos with poor communication skills, or so it seems. I'd like to own a handgonne but I guess it's not going to happen anytime soon.
I wish someone out there would offer handgonnes, at least the barrels, for sale on at least a limited commercial level. Most of the custom makers are flaky weirdos with poor communication skills, or so it seems. I'd like to own a handgonne but I guess it's not going to happen anytime soon.
Patocazador
Member
The way I see it, it would be rather simple to get a trash barrel or a piece of one, fit it with a breech plug, and drill a touch hole. Securing a pole to the breech plug may be more difficult if it is to look nice instead of junky.
OP
OP
Panzerschwein
member
Thanks. I was looking for something a little more authentical.
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The way to do it is to have two different shovel handles. One with a pivoting match holder and one without. That way you can increase the time frame you can use it in.
OP
OP
Panzerschwein
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Considering these are comparatively easy and simple to make, and I'll bet rather cheapy, it's surprising more people don't have these. I have seen where people have a little stand that they prop the barrel on so they can sit down at a normal bench and use the over the shoulder method (which was also done historically) and just aim down the barrel. With the right load they can be pretty accurate. Some people use modern fuses from fireworks as they are safer and less hassle, while others use the traditional piece of burning slow match lashed to a small handle.
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