Page 91 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

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◀ MONS MEG This massive bombard was
Date 1449 presented to James II of Scotland
in 1457. It fired stone balls that
Origin Flanders weighed almost 440lb (200kg),
Weight 5.5 tons (5.08 tonnes) but was too cumbersome for regular
1
Length 13 ⁄4ft (4.04m) service because it could be moved
only 3 miles (5km) a day. SIEGE ENGINES
Caliber 49.6cm
1
Range 1 ⁄2 miles (2.61km)
1
Barrel 9 ⁄4ft
(2.8m) long
Fixing ring
to attach to
carriage
Wide AND EARL
muzzle

Modern
reproduction of
gun carriage for Y CANNON
transportation

▼ FLEMISH BOMBARD Large medieval siege guns, known as bombards, ▲ MORTAR This mortar was found in the
Date Early 15th century were muzzle-loaders. The stone balls they Date 15th–16th century moat of Bodiam Castle, England
hurled were loaded through the muzzle after the (see pp.84–85). It was lit by a touch
Origin Flanders powder charge. Flanders, where this bombard Origin England fuse at the end of the barrel, and was
Material Forged hoop-and- was made, had a strong tradition of gun-casting, Length 4ft (1.25m) used to fire projectiles such as stones
stave iron particularly under Charles the Bold (1433–77). Caliber 36cm or perhaps incendiaries at a steep
Shot Stone balls upward angle.
Lifting ring

▼ ENGLISH SWIVEL GUN Swivel-loading guns were
Date Late 15th century frequently employed for naval
use. This model was mounted
Origin England
on the gunwales of a ship, where
1
Length 4 ⁄2ft (1.36m) the superior arc of fire could be used
Caliber 2in to rake enemy vessels. Like most
swivel guns, it is a breech-loader.

Shot pile
Hooped iron
barrel
Tiller
to change
▶ CANNONBALLS
angle of fire
Date 14th–16th century
Origin Italy Mounting
Material Stone podium
In the early days of artillery, the
most common form of projectile
was stone balls. Cannonballs for
the largest bombards could
weigh up to 440lb (200kg)
and inflict devastating
damage on city walls.

◀ SWEDISH SWIVEL GUNS Swivel guns first appeared in
Date c.1500 the late 14th century, providing a
greater arc of fire. They were mainly
Origin Sweden breech-loading, with the preloaded
Material Iron charge placed in a chamber at
Tiller to aim gun
Welded-iron barrel Shot Round or grapeshot the back of the bore for firing. These
Swedish models would have been
mounted on a boat or a building.