Scientists still cannot say exactly who invented gunpowder and when, but what is certain is that with its advent one of the most important stages in the history of human warfare began. After all, as soon as it was invented, people immediately began to think about how to use it. First, large cannons appeared, which were used to destroy enemy fortifications or entire medieval cities. But already in the 15th-16th centuries, Europeans managed to create a light portable firearm controlled by one fighter - the arquebus. About a hundred years later, another small weapon appeared on the medieval arena - a musket, which in appearance resembled a very heavy arquebus. And yet, was this the same type of weapon, or were there significant differences between them, so much so that it is better to classify them as different classes? We will try to figure this out below.
Mechanism
The arquebus had a matchlock and a larger caliber than its predecessors. From the mid-16th century, the new wheel lock began to be used instead of the old matchlocks. The widened barrel of some samples at the end made loading the weapon easier. The literal name “hook gun” is often explained by the curved shape of the butt of the arquebus. It is also possible that some of the original arquebuses had a metal hook near the muzzle, which could have been used to secure it to a hard surface to absorb recoil. Since all arquebuses were handmade by various gunsmiths, there is no typical example.
Musket as part of history and culture
By and large, it was with the musket that the development and improvement of small arms throughout the world began. On the one hand, the musket gave rise to shotguns, rifles, carbines, machine guns and machine guns, and on the other hand, short-barreled weapons like pistols and revolvers. That is why these ancient weapons exhibits are part of history.
On the other hand, muskets are a cultural and collectible value. Having an antique weapon can be the pride of a true amateur collector. In addition, some examples are decorated with precious metals and stones, which further increases their cultural significance.
Efficiency
What is a arquebus, dimensions, structure and meaning of the word?
As a low-speed firearm, the arquebus was used against enemies who were partially or completely protected by steel armor. Lamellar armor was standard in Europe from 1400 until the mid-17th century. This was the era of the arquebus. Good armor usually stopped arquebus bullets at a great distance. It was common practice to test armor by firing a pistol or arquebus at a new breastplate.
A small dent was engraved around it to draw attention to it. However, at close range it was possible to penetrate even the armor of knights and other heavy cavalry
This led to changes in the design of armor, up to its complete abandonment.
What does the undertaker shoot with?
Undertaker - Firearm. Uses any bullets as ammunition. The difference with the Pistol and the Flintlock Pistol is only in appearance and damage.
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Father's punishment
Musket
Perhaps no one would have known about the existence of a homemade arquebus if Nikolai had not decided to try it out in the apartment. Once, after seeing off a friend to the army, he returned home tipsy. For some reason Nikolai took out an arquebus and went out onto the balcony. A few minutes later, his parents, who were watching TV in the room, heard a loud bang and saw smoke. Nikolai did not shoot at passers-by and could hardly have harmed anyone, because the arquebus was not loaded with bullets. Instead, Nikolai used only gunpowder with a wad. However, the parents did not know this and were seriously alarmed. The guy's father went out onto the balcony and saw a weapon in his hands. The man tried to find out from his son where he got this “thing,” but did not receive an answer. He also failed to take the arquebus - the guy broke free and ran into the room.
The next day, when Nikolai was not at home, his father found the arquebus and called the police. Law enforcement officers arrived, seized a homemade gun, and opened a criminal case against the young gunsmith. Later, Nikolai described in detail how he made the arquebus, but could not explain why he shot from the balcony.
Perhaps, when dialing the police number, the boy’s father could not even imagine that his son could actually be punished for his homemade arquebus, which looked more like a toy. However, Nikolai was found guilty of illegally manufacturing, storing and carrying weapons and was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison. True, conditionally.
Double-barreled musket: the history of its appearance
In order to get out of the situation, it was necessary to somehow increase the rate of fire of the musket. However, rapid firing of muskets with a matchlock was impossible. The matchlock musket, due to its design, simply could not fire quickly. It was necessary to invent some new musket that could be fired faster.
The double-barreled musket was invented. The advantage of a double-barreled musket over a single-barreled one was obvious: instead of one shot, it could fire two, that is, shoot twice as fast. It was a kind of weapons revolution, but for unknown reasons the double-barreled musket could not take root in the infantry units of European powers. By the way, it is the double-barreled musket that is the progenitor of our hunting rifle - continuity through the centuries.
Pirate musket - the prototype of a modern pistol
But the double-barreled musket, like the single-barreled one, aroused interest among pirates of the 16th century. In subsequent centuries, until the 19th century, when muskets were replaced by more advanced weapons, and the pirates themselves for the most part sank into historical oblivion, pirate enthusiasm for this did not diminish at all. It was the pirates who, first of all, had a hand in improving muskets and contributing to the appearance of the first pistols.
Musketeer with a musket. 17th century engraving
Unlike the army, the “knights of fortune” were the first to fully appreciate what firearms are, and what advantage they give to those who own them and know how to handle them. Heavy musket bullets could easily disable a merchant ship, making it easy prey for filibusters. In addition, in hand-to-hand combat, a pirate armed with a musket was a very formidable combat unit.
The pirates nicknamed certain versions of the shortened musket blunderbusses. They differed from ordinary muskets in their shortened appearance, as well as the expansion at the end of the barrel. Blunderbuss could fire shotguns and hit several enemies at once. In addition, blunderbusses had a very loud sound when fired, which had a frightening psychological effect on the enemy. By the way, not only pirates, but also civilian ships of that time were equipped with muskets and blunderbuss to suppress mutinies on ships.
Birth and recruitment
Starting pistols: how to choose the best model
Lexandro d'Arquebus was born in Hive Trazior, nicknamed the Three Sisters because of the three towers, on Necromunda into an aristocratic family. His father was listed as a Lord Accountant in the service of Lord Spinoza, who owned a large number of factories in the middle levels of the hive. Lex was a member of the Magnificent Phantasms youth gang, which carried out pogroms and riots at the upper and middle levels of Trazior.
When d'Arquebuse was fourteen years old, his father was accused of financial mistakes and lost his position with a demotion. To try to raise the status of the family, Lex went to enlist in the ranks of the PDF, hoping to get into the Imperial Guard. The youth's questioning was overheard by Imperial Fists Sergeant Hazzy Roarke, who arrived to search for neophytes into the order. Lex, along with his former enemies - the scumbag Biff Tandrish and the worker Jeremy Velens - were recruited, and they later became known as the "Three Brothers of Trazior".
Notes
- ↑ Great Soviet Encyclopedia. In 65 volumes / chapter. ed. O. Yu. Schmidt. — 1st ed. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1926. - T. 3 (Henrio - Atoxil). - P. 489. - 800 p.
- ↑ Fedorov V. G.
History of the rifle / ed. K. K. Tsvetkovsky. - M.: Voenizdat, 1940. - P. 8-9. — 128 p. - ↑ Grits T.S.
Marksmen / ed. M. A. Zubkov, design by V. Noskov. - 2nd ed., supplemented.. - M.: Detgiz, 1956. - P. 22. - 368 p. — 100,000 copies. - ↑ Volkovsky N.L.
// Children's military encyclopedia / comp. N. L. Volkovsky. - St. Petersburg: Olma-Press, Polygon, 2001. - T. 1. - P. 219-223. — 656 p. — 20,000 copies. - Trubnikov B.G.
Arquebus // Throwing weapons: Dictionary-reference book / ed. E. Migunova. - St. Petersburg: Amphora, 2004. - P. 14. - 150 p. — 5000 copies. — ISBN 5-94278-644-5.
Where do the roots of arquebuses and arquebuses grow?
Despite the fact that many people associate the arquebus with Spanish roots, the term is of German origin. The first examples of this firearm appeared at the end of the 15th century in Germany and were called “hakenbucdse”. Literally, this difficult-to-read word translates as a gun with a hook. Similar weapons appear in almost all countries of the European continent. The arquebus came to Russia from Poland and Germany and was called a arquebus. They were used by warriors, who later formed the basis for rifle regiments.
A later modification of the arquebus - the musket - became the main type of small arms for infantry units. The name, appearance, and design of the products changed, while the principle of operation of the weapon remained the same. Thanks to the Age of Discovery, which saw the heyday of handguns, the arquebus and musket came to the Far East. In the armies of the Japanese shoguns, arquebuser units appeared already in the middle of the 16th century.
Arquebus
The main distinguishing feature of the first samples is the imperfect design of the product, which was reflected in the significant weight of the weapon. The infantryman had to carry a gun weighing about 20 kg on the battlefield, so most often this type of weapon was used for shooting from closed positions for defensive purposes. Along with this, trying to use the advantages of firearms as efficiently as possible, in the armies of European states there is a gradual division of arquebuses into two types, light and heavy. The first were a hand-held smoothbore gun. The second type was considered a serf type of weapon.
The lack of a stock significantly limited the scope of use of this type of weapon in field conditions. To fire, the shooter had to hold the gun under his armpit. Shooting was carried out only from point blank range. The weapon of German origin had a special hook for these purposes, hence the name “gun with a hook.” The infantry version was smaller in size and accordingly was used by “fire formation” regiments operating in line formation.
Line of arquebusers
The technology for making matchlock guns at that time was not particularly complex. Compared to the cost of making a crossbow, the arquebus was easier to make and therefore cheaper. Simple and straightforward operation, transportation and storage made this type of weapon widespread, even taking into account its imperfect firing characteristics. The arquebus, which first appeared in service with German regiments, could fire at a distance of no more than 100 meters. Each shot required lengthy preparation. Often, raw gunpowder caused the weapon to fail at the most crucial moment. The crossbow was a much more practical weapon on the battlefield. Its heavy arrows flew up to 200 meters, and the shooter could fire almost continuously. The new weapon was not particularly accurate either. Hitting the target from a distance of 100 steps was quite problematic. Accuracy of fire was achieved by creating a high density of fire.
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The European military campaigns of 1515–1521 and 1522–1525 demonstrated the growing role of handguns on the battlefield. In technical terms, this period was marked by the fact that new types of such weapons - arquebuses and muskets - acquired great importance. When did they arise, what were they, and how did they spread throughout Europe?
Subject of the question
Between 1500 and 1520, the armies of the Spanish kingdoms were armed with an arquebus and a musket, which became a qualitative leap in the development of both hand-held firearms and methods of their combat use. An arquebus is a relatively light, small-caliber gun for targeted shooting. A musket is a heavier, large-caliber gun for shooting at protected targets. The arquebus allows for hand-held shooting, the musket is so heavy that shooting from it requires a support - a bipod, a reed, or something similar.
Both arquebuses and muskets are long-barreled guns. They have barrels ranging in length from approximately 50 calibers or more. Both arquebuses and muskets are equipped with matchlocks or wheel locks and triggers. They also have similar stocks with a butt for shoulder rest. Special types of stocks, such as those of serf rifles, are only exceptions. Essentially, the difference between an arquebus and a musket is only in size.
Matchlock musket of unknown origin from the Butten collection with the inscription "1516" on the bar attached above the lock; the inscription font is characteristic of the specified time, although the shape of the wooden stock looks more modern. Full length 1.6 m. Buttin, Gay T.2
The arquebus and musket appeared on the battlefield after 1503 and probably before 1521. It may very well be that new types of weapons undergo combat testing already in the 1512 campaign. Under Ravenna (1512), Pedro Navarro had under his command “50 selected shooters firing from the forts.” The Spanish infantry at Ravenna almost saved the battle already lost on the flanks with their fire in the center of the position.
During the siege of Prato (1512), the Spanish infantry managed to defeat the fortress garrison in a firefight from an open place and at close range. In 1521, “arquebuses shooting from supports” were again noted in documents (du Bellay calls them “arquebuses” much later, when this word was already familiar). “The Faithful Servant” (1527), writing for 1524, speaks of the Spanish “hacquebutiers” and “harquebousiers” shooting stones [bullets the size] of jacks.”
Prerequisites for the appearance
It is hardly possible to more accurately determine the moment of the appearance of the arquebus and musket. The "Godfather" of these types of hand weapons is almost certainly the "Great Captain" Gonzalo di Cordova. They were created in order to neutralize the “absolute rulers” of the Western European battlefield of the early 16th century - a detachment of French men-at-arms or a column of Swiss pikemen.
With low shooting accuracy of smooth-bore weapons, it is generally possible to increase the accuracy of individual shooting by lengthening the barrel and improving gun techniques. The effectiveness of group shooting is increased by increasing the number of barrels and organizing salvo fire. Lightening the weapon helps to increase the rate of fire, and reducing the caliber increases the supply of charges carried with you.
On the other hand, the damaging effect of a small-caliber lead (tin) round bullet on armor of the early 16th century is not strong enough. And at that time it was possible to strengthen it only by increasing the caliber and powder charge.
Spanish arquebus and musket, almost certainly made later, closer to the middle of the 16th century. Pieces of wick are clamped in the snakes. Calibers: 16.5 mm and 22 mm; total length: 1.365 m and 1.560 m respectively. Arantegui y Sanz, sheet 24
The arquebus and musket solve these problems by combining technical solutions known in themselves with the quality of metalworking and gunpowder production achieved by the 16th century. The opportunity to use “the best Spanish iron in Europe” also plays a role.
Performance characteristics
A "typical" arquebus (first half) of the 16th century, as Gilmartin describes it, weighs up to 10 pounds (about 4 kg) and has a caliber of 6 lines (15 mm). The bullet for it is ½-ounce (about 15 g). A “typical” Spanish musket of the same era weighs over 18 pounds (more than 5.5 kg) and has a caliber of 7–8.5 lines, sometimes 9 lines and higher (17.8–21.6 mm; 22.9 mm). The bullet for it is 2-ounce (about 60 g).
In experiments in 1970, the results of which are given by Gilmartin, a lead bullet weighing 890 grains (58 g) was accelerated to a muzzle velocity of 330 m/s with a charge of 14 g of modern black powder. In the 16th century, muskets used a charge of the then less effective gunpowder weighing as much as the bullet itself.
The 16th century musket was capable of penetrating the armor of that time at 100 meters and fatally defeating an unarmored living target (man, horse) at 500 meters. All this was possible if the shooter was lucky with a hit, since the aimed shooting range of a musket, like an arquebus, did not exceed 50 meters (sometimes, however, it is considered equal to 70–80 m). The rate of fire of the musket was slightly lower than that of the arquebus.
A shortened version of the arquebus also appears, a descendant of petrinals and a predecessor of cavalry rifles and carbines - “escopeta” (the name, obviously, from the Italian “schiopetto” - “shortened schioppo”). Around the same time, the first pistols appeared.
Procession across Europe
According to Guilmartin, in the 1520s, the arquebus “was known throughout Europe.” The same probably applies to the musket - a super-heavy arquebus. Mastering the production of new guns now depends only on the technical capabilities of a particular country, and mastering and developing tactics for use depends on the level of development of military science in the country.
The shooters of the French king Francis I, “shooting in rows” at Marignano (1515), are unlikely to use arquebuses, although there is fire control of the shooters, increasing its effectiveness. In 1523, “in France one cannot find arquebusiers [to equip a detachment of five thousand riflemen].”
In 1525, at the Battle of Pavia, the danger posed by archers was ignored by King Francis, which led to disastrous consequences. “Nomen certe novum” , i.e. “a truly new name” - this is what an eyewitness to the battle, Francesco da Carpi, says about the arquebus.
Spanish small-caliber cannon - "sacabuche" of 1557, in fact - a heavy gakovnitsa. The barrel is forged and welded, length 1.393 m, caliber 35 mm. Wikimedia Commons
In 1527, the order of Francis specifies to have in the army “hacquebuttiers” (harquebus shooters) and “harquebusiers” (arquebus shooters) and pay them in a ratio of 10: 1. In 1544, “the musket was still semi-new,” and 10 muskets and more than 800 latches were stored in arsenals on the northern border.
In 1518, by decree of the Venetian Council of Ten, arquebuses replaced crossbows in the armament of the war galleys of Venice.
“Old” for the 1520s: cast bronze, approximately 1460–1470, barrel 0.57 m, caliber 16 mm; fuse from above. Barrel weight 4.35 kg. Forrer
While the name "arquebus" spread quickly across European languages in the 16th century, the name "musket" spread more slowly. Perhaps this is because a functional analogue of a musket - a latch - is already available in many countries. In Spain, the predecessor of the musket - the heavy gakovnitsa - "sacabuche" - continues to coexist with it even until the middle of the 16th century.
Thus, “until the end of the reign of Francis I” (1540s), the French used “hacquebutes” as heavy guns, including newly made ones. Back in 1557, the French “Discourses on Artillery” talk about an “arquebus with a hook” with a caliber of 10 lines and a bullet weighing 1/7 pound (French measures are about 27 mm and about 70 g), that is, about a hook.
"Arquebus" ("arco buso") from the Di Giorgio manuscript around 1480). Caliber 30 mm, lead bullet 170 g
In Italian lands, the previous names for hand weapons were preserved in the middle of the 16th century. In Biringuccio we find “archibusi e schioppi” (Biringuccio, Venetian edition of 1540), while “archibuso” in Di Giorgio Martini around 1480 is a arquebus with a hook and with a 6-ounce (170 g) bullet, that is, a hook .
German military manuals even before the 3rd quarter of the 16th century (Fronsperger) considered hooks (or “full” hooks - “ganze Hacken”, “einfach Hacken”) to be the main type of hand weapon for a lead bullet weighing ⅛ pound (40–45 g) , which “one person carries and one can shoot.” Fronsperger also believes that “double hooks” (“Doppelhacken”) are necessary - “up to 4 feet long, which one person carries, and another one is needed to shoot,” designed for a ¼ pound bullet (80–90 g) and shooting from a gantry machine (“Bock”).
German heavy latch from the beginning of the 16th century on a gantry and a crew of two people. Zeugbuch
In addition, it is prescribed to have “short arquebuses” (“kurtze Büchsen”), which have a barrel 2½ feet long, into which “a small chicken egg can easily fit,” and shoot “hand-held bullets, 12–15 at a time,” as well as themselves handles (“Handtgeschütze”) and “half-hacks” (“halbe Hacken”), “of which there are many names and calibers.”
These are all the same basic types of hand weapons that the “Memo List of What Weapons Are Needed for a Small War in the Field”, compiled by Leonard Ecker for the Bavarian Duke Albrecht in 1504, considers necessary. Moreover, the “doppelgack bullet” as a caliber measure was known even in 1621 (inventory of firearms from the city of Neustadt in the Zagan district in Silesia), and possibly later.
Double hook with matchlock without trigger. The front and rear sights were attached later. Length 2.015 m, barrel 1.377 m, caliber 26.2 mm. Schön, S. 12
However, Jans, who wrote at the time of young German nationalism, believed that half-hooks were precisely arquebuses, and full hooks were muskets, hinting that the Germans had not invented all this.
In different countries, muskets and (or) arquebuses - that is, this is the general technical solution - throughout the 16th century may be known as “Spanish arquebuses”. Even in 1579–1580, the Nuremberg city arsenal listed “Spanish gakovits” (apparently muskets). In Polish and Western Russian (Lithuanian) sources, the arquebus is called “arkabuz” or “garkabuz”, but also “Spanish handbrake”, and distinguishes it from “[simple] handbrake”. By the way, the Statute of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania of 1588 (reproducing the text of 1566) indicates:
“If only I didn’t dare to walk around with greedy other armor, clamoring for river, garkabiz, and milk.”
Or, in a source from 1561:
“The townspeople of the place there are obliged to do everything, and each one of them, for the defense... of the hooks, the handrails and the sagaydaki and other defenses... in the houses of their own.”
Wheel lock
Another important invention of the period under review is the wheel lock. It is generally accepted that its first working example was made in Nuremberg in 1515 (the mechanism is based on 10 parts). However, there is also a version of its Italian origin, based, among other things, on the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci in the Atlantic Manuscript.
Small Spanish arquebus with wheel lock, dated 1531. Calvert, pl. 212
How significant this invention turns out to be can be judged by the fact that Emperor Maximilian (1459–1519) already managed to prohibit “fire weapons that set fire to their own gunpowder.” In 1532, a similar ban was imposed by the Venetian Council of Ten. However, complexity (knurled wheel, spring, key) and the need for scarce consumables (pyrite) are much more effective in curbing the spread of the wheel lock than prohibitions.
The matchlock would remain the main weapon used in military weapons until the end of the 17th century, when it would be replaced by the flintlock. The wheel lock will become typical for less common weapons: pistols, cavalry and hunting weapons, small-scale, piece or exhibition samples.
Outdated but not forgotten
For the most part, handguns in 1515–1525 were still the same hook and hand grip, known under different names in different countries. And they are not necessarily new designs. The hook of this period weighs from 30 to 50 pounds (9 to 15 kg) and is equipped with a hook. Fire from it is carried out from machines or from a reliable support.
Particularly heavy (“double”) hooks are operated by a crew of two people, similar to anti-tank rifles of the 20th century. The barrel of the hook is iron or bronze, medium or large elongation. May have a matchlock and release devices.
“Old” for the 1520s: German forged iron, approximately 1470–1480, length 1.22 m, barrel 0.515 m, caliber 25 mm; fuse from above. Weight 6.25 kg. Forrer
The handbrake has a medium-length barrel, iron or bronze (“copper”), with a matchlock and a trigger device. The stock either continues the axis of the barrel or is placed under it. Boeheim calls this design a “German stock.”
To summarize, we note that in the field of handguns, the decade between 1515 and 1525 was a time of a qualitative leap. Thanks to the development of industry, technically more advanced arquebuses and muskets began to replace the archaic harks in large numbers. Similar phenomena occurred at the same time in artillery. In an attempt to increase the range and accuracy of fire, European foundries began to lengthen gun barrels, often quite radically. These “long trunks” will be discussed in the next article.
The title illustration uses a fragment of Erhard Schön's engraving "Landsknecht with handbrake" (probably around 1535). The handbrake here is literally called “hand pipe” (“Handrohr”). This is how old, “pre-arquebus” models of hand weapons could be called in the German lands and Scandinavia.
Yuri Tarasevich
When guns were small
European artillery of the first half of the 14th century: emergence, distribution and use
Yuri Tarasevich
Artillery Revolution
In the 20–30s. In the 15th century, a qualitative leap occurred in European artillery, to which France owed its victory in the Hundred Years' War no less than to Joan of Arc.
Literature:
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- Arántegui y Sanz DJ Apuntes históricos sobre la artillería española en la primera mitad del siglo XVI. Madrid, 1891. URL: archive.org/details/apunteshistrico00sanzgoog.
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- Fronsperger L. Kriegsbuch Ander Theyl. Von Wagenburgk und die Feldleger. Frankfurt am Mayn, 1573. URL: https://books.google.com/books?id=XoJfAAAAcAAJ.
- Gay V., Stein H. Glossaire archéologique du Moyen Age et de la Renaissance. T. 2. Paris, 1928. URL: archive.org/details/glossairearcho02gayv.
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https://warspot.ru/7260-nomen-certe-novum-yavlenie-arkebuzy-i…
Birth of the musket
European armies had difficulty switching to a new type of weapon. The main combat load in the infantry units was carried out by archers and crossbowmen. The share of shooters armed with firearms did not exceed 5-10%. In Spain, which in the 15th-16th centuries was a leading world power and the center of European politics, the royal power sought to increase the number of fire regiments. The empire required a more advanced and powerful army and a powerful navy. It was impossible to cope with such a task without the massive use of firearms. The decisive factor in countering the enemy was artillery and musket fire.
Musket shooting
It was no coincidence that heavy matchlock guns appeared on the equipment of European armies. The arquebus, which became the predecessor of the musket, was successfully used against infantry. However, during military clashes where heavily armed cavalry, protected by armor, participated, the arquebus became powerless. A more powerful and heavier weapon was required, with greater penetrating power and a greater direct shot range. To do this, it was decided to take the simplest route, to increase the size of the matchlock gun. The caliber increased accordingly. The first matchlock musket weighed 7-9 kg. The caliber of the new weapon was no longer 15-17 mm, like the arquebus, but 22-23 mm. It was possible to shoot from such a weapon only from a semi-stationary position. Unlike arquebuses, which could be used by infantry units on the battlefield, the musket was more designed for firing from a prepared position. This was facilitated not only by the weight of the weapon, but also by the length of the barrel. In some specimens, the trunk length reached 1.5 m.
Line of Musketeers
The presence of a long barrel increased the range of a direct shot by an order of magnitude and increased accuracy. Now fire combat could be carried out over long distances. When fired in salvos, the muskets ensured defeat of the enemy at a distance of 200-300 meters. The destructive power of firearms has also increased. A volley of musketeers could easily stop the rushing lava of armored horsemen. The bullet, weighing 50-60 g, flew out of the barrel at a speed of 500 m/s and could easily pierce metal armor.
The enormous power of the new weapon was accompanied by great recoil force. The first rifle regiments were equipped with metal helmets and had a special pad placed on the shoulder as a shock absorber. Shooting could only be done from a point-blank range, so the first muskets were considered more of a serf weapon. They armed the garrisons of fortresses and military crews of sea vessels. The heavy weight, the presence of a stop and the difficulty in preparing the weapon for a shot required the efforts of two people, so in the first years of the appearance of muskets, the combat crew of a musket consisted of two people.
In the middle of the 16th century, the time between the first and second salvo rarely exceeded 1.5-2 minutes. The advantage on the battlefield was given to the side behind which the first salvo was fired. Often the battles ended, but I would fight after the first massive salvo. The enemy was either swept away by accurate shots, or he managed to go on the attack and mix up the ranks of the musketeers. During the contact battle there was no time left for the second shot.
Historical reference
The pistol appeared as a weapon several centuries ago. Today it has great value for collectors.
The ancestors are the arquebus, the musket and the blunderbuss. The length of their barrels was constantly decreasing, as a result pistols were born.
They were distinguished not only by their short barrel, but also by the presence of a special handle.
The name was given in honor of the city where it was manufactured.
The word is borrowed from Italian. However, if in Italy it is used to designate any type of small arms, then in our country it refers to a specific type.
Visual beauty
The surfaces of the pistol handle are usually decorated with precious stones, unusual carvings and engravings. Ivory and valuable tree species were usually used to make the handle.
Common Disadvantages
This weapon had serious disadvantages:
First, it needed to be cleaned frequently.
Secondly, the rate of fire was low: before each shot it took a long time to reload.
Over the years it was improved, the shortcomings were gradually eliminated. But still, many collectors strive to obtain pistols of the earliest designs.
History of application
Battle of Erlenbach October 13, 1444 Illustration from the Berne Chronicle by Diebold Schilling the Elder (1470)
The oldest examples and dated images of such weapons date back to the 20s of the 15th century.
For the first time, arquebuses were used en masse by the Hungarian king-commander Matthias Corvinus (1458-1490), who created an advanced mercenary army at that time, in which every fourth infantryman was armed with such weapons. They were also used during the Burgundian Wars of 1477. According to the famous chronicler and diplomat Philippe de Commines, in France and Burgundy in the second half of the 15th century, the arquebus was called a “hand culverin.”
Arquebuses became most famous after the Battle of Pavia in 1525, when 3 thousand Spanish soldiers armed with them defeated 8 thousand French knights, thus putting an end to the power of knightly armies in Europe. In the same era, the arquebus began to be replaced by a musket, which had greater penetrating power, but was also heavier. As a result, the arquebus remained until the end of the century as a light, cavalry and hunting weapon, and arquebusiers became light infantrymen. In the 16th century, arquebuses with wheel locks and rifled barrels also became widespread. The length of the barrel increased, and the barrels themselves began to be made by drilling (as with muskets). By the beginning of the 17th century, the musket completely replaced the arquebus.
Arquebus shooting
Tanegashima is a Japanese arquebus, named after the island where the Portuguese first introduced the samurai to firearms
The arquebus was brought to Japan by Portuguese traders in 1543; Mass production of these weapons begins on the lands of Satsuma Province. In 1575, at the Battle of Nagashino, Oda Nobunaga placed three lines of ashigaru armed with arquebuses behind a wooden palisade, thereby preparing for an attack by enemy cavalry. Forming in three lines allowed the shooters of the two rear lines to reload their weapons while the first line fired. This tactic allowed for continuous shooting. A similar tactic in Europe was called caracol. In addition to internal wars in Japan itself, arquebuses were widely used during the Imjin War. One of the Korean officials noted with annoyance the superiority of Japanese soldiers armed with arquebuses. After the war, Korea and China began to actively rearm their armies with arquebuses. During the Tokugawa Shogunate (founded 1603), contrary to popular "urban legends", the use of firearms continued, as did their production, although due to the lower intensity of conflicts during this period, they were used less frequently in warfare. Moreover, handguns gradually became more of a farm tool (used to scare away or kill animals) than a real weapon of war, and such views began to change only at the beginning of the 19th century.
The arquebus was also in service with the Tertia warriors. Tertia (Spanish: tercio)
) - a tactical unit of the Spanish Empire during the era of Habsburg dominance in European battles in the 16th century and in the first half of the 17th century. The following types of troops were represented in the third: pikemen, swordsmen and arquebusiers, or musketeers. In theory, the tertia should have had 3,000 soldiers, although in practice it was often less than half this number. The Spanish tercios were the first tactical units in Europe whose personnel were represented by well-trained professional volunteers with excellent drill discipline, instead of the mercenaries who made up the majority of European armies of the time. Sometimes the third was called the “Spanish square”. Before the Battle of Rocroi (1643), Tertia was considered invincible.
Japanese musketeers
I don’t remember to whom I promised, but I definitely remember that I promised material about Japanese firearms of the Sengoku era. And since you promised something, you should fulfill what you promised. Moreover, it should be said right away (and this is unlikely to be an exaggeration) that this era became a kind of reaction of Japanese society to the new weapon that came to the land of the rising sun in 1543.
Then three Portuguese merchants were thrown ashore by a storm on the shore of the island of Tangegashima, and this seemingly insignificant event became truly a gift of fate for all of Japan. The Japanese were struck by the very appearance of the “long-nosed barbarians,” their clothing and speech, and what they were holding in their hands - “something long, with a hole in the middle and an ingenious device closer to the tree, which they rested on their shoulder... then fire flew out of it , there was a deafening thunder and a lead ball at a distance of thirty steps killed the bird!
The daimyo of the island of Tanegashima Tochikata, having paid a lot of money, bought two “teppo”, as the Japanese called this strange weapon, and gave it to his blacksmith so that he could make an analogue no worse. Since the Portuguese fired from “this” without a stand, it should be assumed that it was not a heavy musket that fell into the hands of the Japanese, but a relatively light arquebus, the dimensions and weight of which allowed for hand-held shooting. However, it was not possible to make an analogue at first. The Japanese blacksmith was able to forge the barrel without much difficulty, but he was unable to cut the internal thread in the back of the barrel and insert a “plug” there. However, a few months later, another Portuguese came to the island and it was he, as the legend tells, who showed the Japanese masters how to do it. Making all the other parts was easy. So very soon the production of the first firearms in Japanese history began on the island of Tanegashima. Moreover, from the very beginning, the production of “tanegashima” (as the Japanese began to call the new weapon) began at an accelerated pace. In six months, 600 arquebuses were made on the island, which Totikata immediately sold. And as a result, he not only enriched himself, but also contributed to its widespread distribution.
Modern Japanese “musketeers” take part in shooting demonstrations.
But these are real “tanegashima” from the Edo era from the Tokaido Museum in Hakone.
Already in 1549, daimyo Shimazu Takahisa used tanegashima in battle, and then every year its popularity increased more and more. Takeda Shingen, for example, already in 1555, paying tribute to this weapon, bought at least 300 of these arquebuses, and already Oda Nobunaga (he generally loved everything European, from wine to furniture!) 20 years later had 3000 shooters at his disposal at the Battle of Nagashino. Moreover, he used them in a very modern way, building them in three lines so that they would fire over each other’s heads, and a lattice fence would cover them from attacks by Katsueri’s cavalry.
Japanese teppo from the Kumamoto Castle Museum. In the foreground is a “hand cannon” kakae-jutsu.
The same museum, the same arquebuses, but only a rear view. The structure of their matchlocks is clearly visible.
Moreover, it should be noted that, although for some reason it is believed otherwise, in fact, samurai in the Sengoku era did not at all hesitate to use teppo and use it personally. That, they say, this is a “vile” and unbecoming weapon for a samurai. On the contrary, they very quickly appreciated its advantages and many of them, including the same Oda Nabunaga, turned into sharp shooters. The continuous wars of everyone against everyone just at this time caused a truly massive production of this type of weapon, but they, understandably, did not like the fact that it began to fall even into the hands of the peasants. And very soon the number of arquebuses in Japan exceeded their number in Europe, which, by the way, was one of the reasons why neither the Spaniards nor the Portuguese even tried to conquer it and turn it into their colony. Moreover, the Japanese achieved real mastery in the manufacture of their teppo, as evidenced by the surviving examples of these weapons, which are kept in museums today.
Tanegashima and pistora. Asian Art Museum, San Francisco.
Note that the word “teppo” in Japan denoted a whole class of weapons, but at first it was arquebuses made according to the Portuguese model that were called, although such a name as hinawa-ju or “matchlock gun” is also known. But over time, Japanese craftsmen began to make their own gunpowder weapons, no longer similar to the original samples, that is, they developed their own style and traditions of its production.
Samurai Niiro Tdamoto with teppo in his hands. Uki-yo Utagawa Yoshiiku.
So what are the differences between Japanese arquebuses and European ones? To begin with, they have a reverse arrangement of serpentine (trigger) hibasami for the hinawa wick. For Europeans, it was in the front and leaned back towards itself. For the Japanese, it was attached behind the breech of the barrel and tilted away from itself. In addition, it seemed to them, and not without reason, that a burning wick located at a close distance from a shelf with seed gunpowder, called a hizara, was not the best neighborhood, and they came up with a sliding lid of the hizbut, which reliably closed this shelf. The lid moved and only after that should the trigger be pulled to fire the shot. The barrel length of Japanese arquebuses was approximately 90 cm, but the calibers varied - from 13 to 20 mm. The stock was made of red oak wood, covering almost the entire length of the barrel, which was secured in it with traditional bamboo pins, just like the blades of Japanese swords, which were attached to the hilt in a similar way. By the way, the locks of Japanese guns were also attached to pins. The Japanese did not like propellers, unlike the Europeans. The ramrod is a simple wooden (karuka) or bamboo (seseri) recessed into the stock. At the same time, a feature of the Japanese gun was... the absence of a butt as such! Instead, there was a daijiri pistol grip, which was pressed against the cheek before firing! That is, the recoil was perceived on the barrel and then on the hand, it went down and moved back, but the gun did not respond to the shoulder. That is why, by the way, the Japanese were so fond of faceted - six- and octagonal trunks. They were stronger, heavier and... better absorbed recoil due to their mass! In addition, their edges were convenient to design. Although, let us also note this, the finishing of Japanese teppo trunks was not distinguished by any special delights. Usually they were depicted with mons - the emblems of the clan that ordered the weapons, covered with gold or varnish.
Badjo-jutsu is a rider's pistol, and it is richly decorated. Edo era. Anne and Gabrielle Barbier-Muller Museum, Texas.
Tanjutsu is a short-barreled pistol from the Edo era. Anne and Gabrielle Barbier-Muller Museum, Texas.
Lock parts, including springs, were made of brass. It did not corrode like iron (and in the Japanese climate this is very important!), but most importantly, it allowed all the parts to be cast. That is, the production of locks was fast and efficient. Moreover, even brass springs turned out to be more profitable than European steel ones. How? Yes, because they were weaker!!! And it turned out that the Japanese serpentine with a wick approached the seed more slowly than the European one, and it happened to hit the shelf with such force that... it went out at the moment of impact, without even having time to ignite the gunpowder, which caused a misfire!
For sniper shooting from castles, the Japanese made these long-barreled guns with barrels 1.80 mm and even 2 m long. Nagoya Castle Museum.
Japanese arquebuses were required to have sighting devices: a saki-me-ate front sight and an ato-me-ate rear sight, and... original, again varnished, boxes that covered the castle from rain and snow.
Niiro Tadamoto with kakae-jutsu. Uki-yo Utagawa Yoshiiku.
An explosive projectile from a kakae-zutsu hits a tate shield. Uki-yo Utagawa Kuniyoshi.
As a result, Japanese arquebuses became more massive than European ones, although they remained lighter than muskets. In addition, the Japanese came up with the so-called “hand cannons” or kakae-zutsu, somewhat similar to the European hand-held mortars for firing hand grenades, which had been used since the 16th century. But although their similarities are undeniable, the Japanese design is very different from the European one, and is an independent invention. The European mortar always had a butt and a short barrel behind it, designed for throwing matchlock grenades. The Japanese jutsu did not have a butt, but fired clay balls and lead balls from it. The barrel was long enough, but the powder charge was small. Thanks to this, it was possible to actually shoot a “hand cannon” while holding it in your hands. The payoff, of course, was great. The “gun” could be torn out of his hands, and if the shooter held it tightly, then it would not overturn him to the ground. And, nevertheless, it was possible to shoot from it in this way. Although another method was also used: the shooter laid out a pyramid of three bundles of rice straw on the ground and placed a “gun” on it, resting the handle on the ground or another sheaf, lined with two stakes at the back. Having set the desired barrel angle, the shooter pulled the trigger and fired. The bullet flew along a steep trajectory, which made it possible to fire in this way at enemies hiding behind the walls of the castle. It happened that powder rockets were inserted into the barrel of a kakae-jutsu and thus greatly increased the firing range.
Guns from the armory of Himeji Castle.
The Japanese also knew pistols, which they called pistor. Yes, they were wick, but they were used by samurai horsemen in the same way as European reiters. They headed towards the enemy and, approaching him, fired a shot almost point-blank, after which they returned back, reloading their weapons as they went.
Ashigaru, covering themselves with tate shields, fire at the enemy. Illustration from Johyo Monogatari. National Museum, Tokyo.
Another very important invention that increased the rate of fire of Japanese weapons was the invention of wooden cartridges of a special design. It is known that at first gunpowder was poured into the same arquebuses from a powder flask, after which a bullet was pushed towards it with a ramrod. In Rus', archers stored pre-measured powder charges in wooden “cartridges” - “chargers”. It’s hard to say where they appeared first – here or in Europe, but they appeared and immediately it became more convenient to load arquebuses and muskets. But the bullet still had to be taken out of the bag. The solution to the problem was a paper cartridge, which contained both the bullet and the gunpowder in one paper wrapper. Now the soldier bit the shell of such a cartridge with his teeth (hence the command “bite the cartridge!”), poured a certain amount of gunpowder onto the seed shelf, and poured the rest of the gunpowder along with the bullet into the barrel and compacted it there with a ramrod, using the paper itself as a wad cartridge.
The Japanese came up with a “charger” with two (!) holes and a conical channel inside. At the same time, one of them was closed with a spring-loaded lid, but the bullet itself served as a “plug” for the other hole!
"Vacquered boxes against rain." Engraving by Utagawa Kuniyoshi.
Well, now let’s imagine that we are “Japanese musketeers” and we have to fire at the enemy.
So, standing on one knee, at the command of the ko-gasir (“junior lieutenant”), we take our wooden cartridge out of the cartridge bag, open it and pour all the gunpowder into the barrel. And you just need to press your finger on the bullet protruding from it, and it will instantly slide into the barrel. We remove the cartridge and compact the gunpowder and bullet using a cleaning rod. We remove the cleaning rod and open the lid of the powder shelf. Smaller seed powder is poured onto a shelf from a separate powder flask. We close the lid of the shelf, and blow off the excess gunpowder from the shelf so that it does not flare up before the allotted time. Now we fan the flame at the tip of the wick wrapped around the left hand. Our wick itself is made from cedar bark fibers, so it smolders well and does not go out. Now the wick is inserted into the serpentine. Ko-gashiru commands the first aim. Then the shelf lid is folded back. Now you can take final aim and pull the trigger. The burning fuse will smoothly press against the gunpowder on the shelf and a shot will fire!
The ashigaru warrior's armor is the work of American reenactor Matt Poitras, already familiar to VO readers from his armor of soldiers of the Trojan War, as well as the Greeks and Romans.
It is interesting that the Japanese also knew a bayonet-type blade bayonet - juken and a spear-shaped juso bayonet, as well as guns and pistols with wheel and flint locks. They knew, but since they had entered the era of the Edo World, they did not feel any need for them. But now, in peacetime, the sword has become the main weapon of the samurai, and guns, which peasants could also use to fight successfully, have faded into the background. However, it happened, let us emphasize, this already happened in the Edo era!
Experiment
The medieval arquebus consisted of a barrel, a wooden butt and flint. However, Nikolai did not find flint and decided to simplify the design. He took a chrome pipe, drilled it to an internal diameter of 14 and 18 millimeters, and also bent a piece of pipe and soldered it with lead. Then the “master” sawed and glued a wooden stock from two pieces of plywood and screwed it to the pipe with ordinary construction clamps. Nikolai made the fuse from matches (a man lights matches, and matches light gunpowder). Again, I came up with the charge for the arquebus myself. I made a wad out of paper and cast bullets. To do this, he needed a wooden block in which he drilled a hole and melted lead fishing weights over these holes. When the metal cooled, bullets turned out. Next, the young man found expired cartridges from his father, a former hunter, and obtained black powder.
It took Nikolai no more than five days to make the arquebus. He made it in the entrance hall in the storage room between the floors. Neither the guy’s relatives nor neighbors had any idea that he was creating firearms. When the work was finished, Nikolai went outdoors to an old barn to try out his craft in action. He loaded five bullets into the arquebus and shot them. The tests went surprisingly well. All shots hit the target. Pleased with the work done, the young man brought the weapon back home and hid it in the apartment.
Device[edit | edit code]
An iron or copper barrel with two longitudinal slits on the sides was attached to the front of the arquebus's stock. A special cylinder slid inside, to the protrusions-ears of which, emerging from the slots of the barrel, the ends of the string of a wooden or steel bow were tied. The trigger mechanism was standard for crossbows.
The arquebus could shoot both standard crossbow bolts (arrows) and stone or lead bullets. The bullets were made of lead and had a . The arquebus was loaded in a cocked state through the muzzle hole, and fired from it by pressing a rifle-type trigger lever.
Literature
- Efimov S.V., Rymsha S.S.
Weapons of Western Europe in the 15th-17th centuries. — Volume 2. Crossbows, artillery, handguns, combined and hunting weapons. - St. Petersburg: Atlant, 2009. - 384 p.: ill. — “Weapons Academy” series. — ISBN 978-5-98655-026-8. - Pocket William.
History of firearms: from ancient times to the twentieth century / Trans. from English M. G. Baryshnikova. - M.: ZAO "Tsentrpoligraf", 2006. - 300 p.: ill. — ISBN 5-9524-2320-5. - Markevich V. E.
Hand-held firearms. - St. Petersburg: Polygon, 2005. - 2nd ed. — 492 p.: ill. — Series “Military History Library”. — ISBN 5-89173-276-9. - Funken L., Funken F.
The Middle Ages. The Renaissance: Infantry - Cavalry - Artillery / Transl. from French M. B. Ivanova. - M.: LLC "AST"; Astrel, 2004. - 146 pp.: ill. — Series “Encyclopedia of Weapons and Military Costumes.” — ISBN 5-17-014796-1.
Literature
- Efimov S.V., Rymsha S.S.
Weapons of Western Europe in the 15th-17th centuries. — Volume 2. Crossbows, artillery, handguns, combined and hunting weapons. - St. Petersburg: Atlant, 2009. - 384 p.: ill. — “Weapons Academy” series. — ISBN 978-5-98655-026-8. - Pocket William.
History of firearms: from ancient times to the twentieth century / Trans. from English M. G. Baryshnikova. - M.: ZAO "Tsentrpoligraf", 2006. - 300 p.: ill. — ISBN 5-9524-2320-5. - Markevich V. E.
Hand-held firearms. - St. Petersburg: Polygon, 2005. - 2nd ed. — 492 p.: ill. — Series “Military History Library”. — ISBN 5-89173-276-9. - Funken L., Funken F.
The Middle Ages. The Renaissance: Infantry - Cavalry - Artillery / Transl. from French M. B. Ivanova. - M.: LLC "AST"; Astrel, 2004. - 146 pp.: ill. — Series “Encyclopedia of Weapons and Military Costumes.” — ISBN 5-17-014796-1.
Scout
After training at the Phalanx Fortress, Lex, along with his brothers and a neophyte named Omar Ackbar, was transferred to the Tenth Company, where they formed a scout troop under the command of Sergeant Zed Yuron. Their first operation was a crusade to return the rebellious planet Carcassonne to the Imperium.
During the sabotage operations, the Wolverine squad freed the crippled Space Marine of the Bloodsucker Order, who informed them that the rebel governor, in addition to thousands of planetary guards, had six Titans of the “Commander” class and one of the “Emperor” class. The scouts managed to get into the titan hangar and killed several moderators and the titan princeps. Using the omophage organ, the paratroopers gained access to control the "Emperor" and during the battle began to shoot the rebel "Warlords", destroying three of them. For this, the Three Trazior Brothers and the deceased Omar were promoted to full paratroopers.
Arquebus vs bow
An arquebus could not match the accuracy of a bow in the hands of a highly skilled archer. However, arquebuses had a higher rate of fire than the most powerful crossbow, and greater shot power. Learning to shoot an arquebus took less time. An arquebusier could carry more ammunition and gunpowder than a crossbowman or an archer of bolts and arrows. It is easier to establish mass production of gunpowder and bullets, while making arrows is a genuine craft. It will be years before the student can make commercial quality arrows without the help or supervision of a mentor. The weapon also had the added benefit of frightening the enemy (and horses) with the noise. Wind could reduce the accuracy of archery, but it had less of an effect on the accuracy of arquebus shooting. Perhaps most importantly, it took much less time to train an arquebusier than a skilled archer. During a siege, it was easier to shoot an arquebus from the loopholes than a bow and arrow.
The downside to using the arquebus was that ammunition that had already been fired could not be reused, unlike bolts and arrows, which could reduce the cost of practice or replenish supplies if control of the battlefield was maintained after the battle was over.
Arquebus was more sensitive to wet weather. Gunpowder becomes damp much faster than an arrow or bolt, especially if stored improperly. Additionally, the resources needed to make gunpowder were less available than the resources needed to make bolts and arrows. The bullet had to fit the barrel much more closely than the arrow or bolt had to fit the bow, so arquebus production required greater standardization. Gunpowder turned out to be much more dangerous than arrows.
The arquebus was also significantly more dangerous. The arquebusier carried a lot of gunpowder and a constantly burning rod in one hand. Against the background of confusion, stress and confusion of the battle, arquebusiers became potentially dangerous to themselves and others. Early arquebuses tended to have a sharp recoil. They took a long time to load unless a “continuous fire” strategy was used, where one line fired and reloaded during the next shot. A wet weapon was practically useless. Arquebuses also often overheated. During repeated firing, the weapon could become clogged and explode. Exploded pieces of metal and wood posed a danger to the shooter himself and the soldiers nearby.
In addition, the smoke from the combustion of black powder made it difficult to see the enemy after several salvos unless it was quickly dispersed by the wind. Before the invention of the wheel lock, the need for a constantly burning rod made stealth almost impossible, particularly at night. The amount of smoke emitted by a single arquebus shot, and the noise from the shot, was enough to unmask the shooter. While a crossbow or bow made it possible to shoot silently and without unmasking. The noise of the arquebus and the ringing in the ears it caused could make it difficult to understand voice commands. In the long term, the weapon could cause hearing loss in the shooter. With the bow and crossbow, you can shoot from behind cover, in a high arc, around obstacles, hitting the enemy from above, where there was no powerful protection like frontal armor - although with much less accuracy.
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Features of fighting with muskets
A warrior armed with a musket was called a musketeer. A bullet fired from a musket could win a battle, which, in general, was what happened. When firing from muskets in one gulp, it was possible to lay down a whole line of the enemy at a distance of up to 200 meters. The weight of musket bullets could be 60 grams. Armored knights were knocked out of their saddles with musket bullets.
Still, firing a musket was not an easy task. It took a long time to load the musket. The recoil when firing was such that it could knock the shooter off his feet. To protect themselves, the shooters wore special helmets and also tied a special pad to their shoulder. Due to the difficulty of shooting, there were two people with the musket: one loaded the weapon, the other fired, and the loader supported him so that the shooter did not fall.
In order to make it possible to fire muskets faster, the armies of many countries came up with various tricks. One of these tricks that history has preserved was the following. The musketeers lined up in a square consisting of several ranks. While the first rank was firing, the rest were loading their muskets. Having fired, the first line gave way to another, with loaded guns, and that one to the third, fourth, and so on. Thus, musket fire could be carried out constantly.
