DOCSLIB.ORG

Gunpowder and Arab Firearms in Middle Ages

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Gladius, VI (1967), pp. 45-58 A. Rahman Zaky ISSN 0435-029X GUNPOWDERGUNPOWDER ANDAND ARABARAB FIREARMSFIREARMS ININ MIDDLEMIDDLE AGESAGES BYBY A.A. RAHMANRAHMAN ZAKYZAKY GUNPOWDERGUNPOWDER (BARUD)(BARUD) THERETHERE isis nono certaintycertainty asas toto thethe actualactual datedate ofof thethe inventioninvention ofof gun­gun- powder.powder. TheThe evidenceevidence thatthat thethe ChineseChinese possessedpossessed itit inin ancientancient timestimes isis notnot conclusive.conclusive. AmongAmong thethe claimantsclaimants ofof discoveringdiscovering gunpowdergunpowder areare Chinese,Chinese. Indians,Indians. Greeks,Greeks. Arabs,Arabs.z EnglishEnglish" andand Germans.Germans. WhoWho firstfirst thoughtthought ofof propellingpropelling aa ballball throughthrough aa metalmetal tubetube by explodingexploding gun­gun- powderpowder isis unknown; anyhow;anyhow; itit certainlycertainly 'waswas notnot MonkMonk BertholdBerthold Schwartz.Schwartz. IsIs therethere anyany probability thatthat RogerRoger BaconBacon (c.(c. 1214-1292)1214-1292) waswas thethe discovererdiscoverer ofof gunpowder?gunpowder? HisHis formulaformula waswas hiddenhidden awayaway inin crypticcryptic writingswritings onlyonly recentlyrecently solved.solved. RearrangingRearranging thethe lettersletters ofof hishis strangestrange words,words, wewe get:get: «take<(take77 partsparts ofof saltpetre,saltpetre, 55 ofof young hazelwoodhazelwood (charcoal),(charcoal), andand 55 ofof sulphur».sulphur>>. ThoughThough BaconBacon suggestssuggests thatthat byby meansmeans ofof thisthis explosiveexplosive mixturemixture anan enemy'senemy's armyarmy «might<(might be eithereither blownblown upup bodilybodily oror putput toto flightflight by thethe terrorterror causedcaused byby thethe explosion»,explosion>>,therethere isis nothingnothing inin hishis writingswritings toto leadlead usus toto supposesuppose thatthat hehe everever contemplatedcontemplated usingusing itit asas itit isis inin firearms.firearms.'1 AlmostAlmost atat thethe samesame time,time, anan arabarab AI-HassanAl-Hassan al-Rammahal-Rammah (f1.(fl. c.c. 1275-95)1275-95)wrote mote aa militarymilitary treatisetreatise inin whichwhich hehe clearlyclearly indicatedindicated thatthat saltpetresaltpetre waswas thethe primaryprimary substancesubstance forfor pyrotechnicpyrotechnic com­com- positions, andand describeddescribed carefullycarefully how itit waswas separatedseparated fromfrom otherother saltssalts byby solutionsolution andand repeatedrepeated crystallization.crystallization. ContemporaryContemporary alsoalso isis thethe bookbook ofof FiresFires forfor thethe BurningBurning ofof EnemiesEnemies by MarcusMarcus GraecusGraecus 2 (f1.(fl. c.c. 1300).1300). AsAs toto China,China, thethe earliestearliest evidenceevidence forfor thethe manufacture ofof saltpetresaltpetre isis inin thethe ChineseChinese recordsrecords before A. D.D. 1200.1200. TheThe AndalusianAndalusian IbnIbn aI-Bayal-Baytartar (d.(d. 1248)1248) mentions itit asas «Chinese<(Chinesesnow». snow)>. ItIt seemsseems thatthat thethe ChineseChinese have mademade use ofof theirtheir discoverydiscovery chieflychiefly forfor manufacturing fireworks.fireworks. TheThe Arabs,Arabs, thanksthanks toto theirtheir communicationcommunication withwith ChinaChina sincesince thethe tenthtenth centurycentury oror before,before, werewere notnot longlong beforebefore theythey learntlearnt thethe artart ofof makingmaking gunpowder;gunpowder; and,and, asas itit wouldwould seem,seem, atat firstfirst theythey mademade objectsobjects suchsuch asas I' J.J. F.F. C.C. FULLER:FULLER:ArmamentA~marnent andand History,Hzstovy, NewNew YorkYork 1945,1945, p. 79.79. SeeSee also:also: W.M. 1.L. HIME:HIME.TheThe OriginOrtgzn ofof Artillery,Avtzllevy, 1915,1915, pp.pp. 112-113;112-113; alsoalso hishis GunpowderGunpowder andand Ammunition,Arnrnunztzon, 1904,1904, p.p. 142.142. 2 SeeSee later.later. 45 Digitalizado por InterClassica Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas http://interclassica.um.es http://gladius.revistas.csic.es Gladius, VI (1967), pp. 45-58 A. Rahman Zaky ISSN 0435-029X crackers, which would explode in a case. From such a use of powder as this, to putting it withwith a projectile into a tube for the purpose of discharging the projectile, a very long stepstep had to be taken.taken.33 It was by the Arabs, that this stepstep waswas taken, and thus with justice, they may claim to have performed an important part in the invention of the can­can- non at least as the Chinese themselves: The earliest indication of FIG.FIG I.-Earliestl -Earltest typetype ofof aa cannon.cannon FromFrom thethe ms.ms ofof WALTERWALTEROFOF MILLEMETE:MILLEMCTE.De nobilitatihusnobzlztatzbus sapientiissapzentzzs etet prudenciisprudenczzs regum,regum, fromfrom aboutabout 1326-271326-27 (Library(Library ofof ChristChrist ChurchChurch CoiL,Coll, Oxford,Oxford, n.On: 92,92, fol. 70').70'). R,l?. {I1/49Lj g cannoncannon inin ChinaChina isis extantextant examplesexamples clearlyclearly dateddated 1356,1356, 1357,1357, andand 1377.1377.44 TheThe firstfirst pictorial evidenceevidence ofof aa cannoncannon inin EnglandEngland isis foundfound inin thethe Mille­Mille- mete manuscript ofof 13271327 portrayingportraying anan armouredarmoured knightknight touchingtouching thethe linstocklinstock toto aa crude,crude, vase-shaped piecepiece loadedloaded withwith aa stoutstout featheredfeathered bolt 5 (Fig.(Fig. 1).1). ,' CIIARLESCEIARLESBOUTELL:BOUTELL: ArmsArms andand Armour,Armour, pp.pp. 216-217.216-217. , L.L. C.C. GOODRICH:GOODRICH:NoteNote onon fewfew earlyearly ChineseCbznese bombards,bombards, «!sis»,<(Isis)>,XXXV (1944),(1944), 211,211, figs.figs. 11 andand 2;2; ibid.,zbid, XXXVI (1946),(1946), 122,122, n.n. 27,27, 120,251.120, 251. S ChristChrist Church,Church, OxfordOxford Ms.Ms. ofof WALTERWALTEROFOF MILLEMETE:MILLEMETE:DeDe OfficiisOfficzzs regum,regum, foL€01. 70.70. ColonelColonel RimeHime offersoffers historicalhistorical evidenceevidence toto showshow thatthat gunsguns withwith powderpowder werewere importedimported intointo EnglandEngland fromfrom GhentGhent inin 13141314 (?).(?). AtAt anyany rate,rate, thethe newnew weaponweapon soonsoon spreadspread throughoutthroughout westernwestern Europe,Europe, sincesince bombards areare mentionedmentioned inin thethe accountaccount ofof aa siegesiege ofof Metz inin 13241324 andand inin aa FlorentineFlorentine documentdocument ofof 1326.1326. 46 Digitalizado por InterClassica Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas http://interclassica.um.es http://gladius.revistas.csic.es Gladius, VI (1967), pp. 45-58 A. Rahman Zaky ISSN 0435-029X There is not enough evidence of the use of cannon in India u~rduntil the fourteenth century and the beginning of 15th century, when they were very common in the Daccan States. The reason was that these states were in contact by sea with Arabia, Iran and Turkey, from which they received artillery and engineers. It is said that Sultan Mahmoud Shah Bahmani installed a firearms factory in 1365. Sultan Mahmoud BaykaraBaykarB with the help of Turkish gunners sank with his guns a Portu­Portu- gese ship at Diu in 1509. Bahdur Shah of Gudjarat excelled his contem­contem- poraries in Artillery; his master gunner, Rumi Khan, cast many cannons. BARUD (GUNPOWDER) Perhaps the first word used by thethe Arabic-speaking peoples to denote the new saltpetre-containing powder, a word of universal ap­ap- plication, was «dawa»ctdawb (remedy), medicament, or drug. It Waswas in fact the term used by Hassan al-Rammahal-Rammiih (d. circa 1295), to denote the mixture used to fill the «midfa»<(midfa)>(gun): 10 parts of «barud»,ttbarud,, 2 of char­char- coal, and 1.5 of sulphur. The form of the word «barud»ttbarud), appears for the first time twice in the Djami' of Ibn aI-Bayal-Baytartar (d. 1248),61248); which is the foremost Arabic and medieval treatise of its kind. It is stated there that abarud);.«barud» is the name given in the Maghrib by the common people and physicians to the <<snow«snow of China»China), or «saltpetre».ttsaltpetre)>. Again, for Ibn al-Kutubi (£1.(fl. about 1310), «barud»ctbarud,, only meant saltpetre. From the mention of «barud»ctbarud), in Ibn ai-Bayal-Baytar,tar, Romocki concluded that saltpetre first came to the Arabs from China in c. 1225-50, and the Arabs then passed on the knowledge of it to Europe, where it was known to Roger Bacon in 1248.1248.77 AlXJmariAl:Umari (d. c. 1348) in his «Ta'rif»ctTa'rif)> twice uses the word «barud».ctbarud)>. In one instance, he is talking about a substance incorporated in the «naphthactnaphtha pots»pots), (Kawarir al-Naft), projectiles used in naval warfare. In the other, he is talking about Makahil al-Barud, where the word could be taken to refer to a propulsive saltpetre compound. , IBN AL-BAYTAR, part 2, p. 306, 151, Cairo, 1291 H. See also:also. GEORGE SARTON: IntroducttonInlroduclion 10to theIhe HzstoryHistory 0/of Science, vol. II,11, part 11,II, p. 663. '7 ROMOCKI:Geschichte,Geschtchte, I, 38-39. 47 Digitalizado por InterClassica Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas http://interclassica.um.es http://gladius.revistas.csic.es Gladius, VI (1967), pp. 45-58 A. Rahman Zaky ISSN 0435-029X HASSAN AL-RAMMAH Circa (1275-1295) Hassan al-Rammahal-Rammih Najm aI-Dinal-Din Ahdab, a Moslem author contributed an Arabic treatise entitled: Al-Furusiyahwa al-mal-muna-una­ sebscb al-Harbiyaal-Harbzya (Horsemanship and strategms of war). This treatise exists in two Paris Arabic manuscripts, BNEN ancient fonds 2825 (old 1128) and fonds AsselinAsse1in 643. The introduction says that the book
Recommended publications
  • Shipwreck Cannons Gwen Wright

    Shipwreck Cannons Gwen Wright

    Season 6, Episode 9: Shipwreck Cannons Gwen Wright: Our first story investigates a maritime mystery washed up on an Oregon beach. 1846: tensions between the U.S. and Britain are approaching a boiling point. All eyes are focused on the disputed border between the U.S. and the British colonial territory of Canada. At stake is ownership of the enormous riches of some 300,000 square miles of the Pacific Northwest. The U.S. needs reconnaissance, and dispatches an armed naval vessel – the USS Shark . But that September disaster strikes; the Shark wrecks and sinks at the treacherous mouth of the Columbia River. More than a century and a half later, fourteen-year-old Miranda Petrone, from Tualatin, Oregon, thinks she may have found a piece of this historic ship. Miranda: Me and my dad were walking along the beach. And I saw this big thing with rust. And I’m like, hey dad, come here. Gwen: I’m Gwen Wright, nice to meet you. So I heard you found something pretty interesting around here. Miranda: Yeah. Gwen: What was it? Miranda: We found a cannon. Gwen: Now, are you sure it was a cannon? Miranda: Well, not at first. Me and my dad were walking along the beach. Then there was this big black rocky thing so I went up a little closer and eventually saw rust. I thought, rocks aren't supposed to have rust. And so, I called my dad over. He came and checked it out. He's like, huh, maybe it's a cannon. He was just joking though.
  • The Asian Military Revolution: from Gunpowder to the Bomb Peter A

    The Asian Military Revolution: from Gunpowder to the Bomb Peter A

    Cambridge University Press 978-0-521-60954-8 - The Asian Military Revolution: From Gunpowder to the Bomb Peter A. Lorge Frontmatter More information The Asian Military Revolution Records show that the Chinese invented gunpowder in the 800s. By the 1200s they had unleashed the first weapons of war upon their unsus- pecting neighbors. How did they react? What were the effects of these first wars? This extraordinarily ambitious book traces the history of that invention and its impact on the surrounding Asian world – Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia and South Asia – from the ninth through the twentieth century. As the book makes clear, the spread of war and its technology had devastating consequences on the political and cultural fabric of those early societies although each reacted very differently. The book, which is packed with information about military strategy, interregional warfare, and the development of armaments, also engages with the major debates and challenges traditional thinking on Europe’s contri- bution to military technology in Asia. Articulate and comprehensive, this book will be a welcome addition to the undergraduate classroom and to all those interested in Asian studies and military history. PETER LORGE is Senior Lecturer in the Department of History at Vanderbilt University, Tennessee. His previous publications include War, Politics and Society in Early Modern China (2005) and The International Reader in Military History: China Pre-1600 (2005). © Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org Cambridge University Press 978-0-521-60954-8 - The Asian Military Revolution: From Gunpowder to the Bomb Peter A. Lorge Frontmatter More information New Approaches to Asian History This dynamic new series will publish books on the milestones in Asian history, those that have come to define particular periods or mark turning-points in the political, cultural and social evolution of the region.
  • “Gunpowder Empires” of the Islamic World During the Early Modern Era (1450-1750)! India 3 Continents: SE Europe, N

    “Gunpowder Empires” of the Islamic World During the Early Modern Era (1450-1750)! India 3 Continents: SE Europe, N

    Let’s review the three “Gunpowder Empires” of the Islamic World during the Early Modern Era (1450-1750)! India 3 continents: SE Europe, N. Africa, SW Asia Persia (Iran today) Longest lasting- existed until the end of World War I Ended when Europeans (specifically the British) gained control Had a powerful army with artillery (muskets and cannons) Defeated the Safavids at the Battle of Chaldiran- set the Iran/Iraq boundary today Established by Turkish Muslim warriors Claimed descent from Mongols Ruled over a largely Hindu population Ruled over a diverse population with many Christians and Jews Leader called a sultan Leader called a shah Had emperors Religiously tolerant New syncretic belief: Sikhism Shi’a Sunni Defeated the Byzantine Empire- seized Constantinople The Persian spoken began to incorporate Arabic words Followed after the Delhi Sultanate Answer Key OTTOMAN EMPIRE SAFAVID EMPIRE MUGHAL EMPIRE ● 3 continents: SE Europe, N. ● Persia (Iran today) ● India Africa, SW Asia ● Had a powerful army with ● Ended when Europeans ● Longest-lasting: existed until artillery (muskets and cannons) (specifically the British) gained the end of World War I ● Leader called a shah control of India ● Had a powerful army with ● Religiously tolerant ● Had a powerful army with artillery (muskets and cannons) ● Shi’a artillery (muskets and cannons) ● Defeated Safavids at the Battle ● The Persian spoken began to ● Established by people of Chaldiran- set the Iran/Iraq incorporate Arabic words descended from Turkish Muslim boundary today warriors ● Established
  • Tinker Emporium Tinker Emporium Vol. Firearms Vol. 7

    Tinker Emporium Tinker Emporium Vol. Firearms Vol. 7

    Tinker Emporium Vol. 7 Firearms Introduction : This file contains ten homebrew firearms (based on real world) , each presented with a unique description and a colored picture. Separate pictures in better resolution are included in the download for sake of creating handouts, etc. by Revlis M. Template Created by William Tian DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D& D, Wizards of the Coast, Forgotten Realms, the dragon ampersand, Player’s Handbook, Monster Manual, Dungeon Master’s Guide, D&D Adventurers League, all other Wizards of the Coast product names, and their respective logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Co ast in the USA and other countries. All characters and their distinctive likenesses are property of Wizards of the Coast. This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any re production or unauthorized use of the mater ial or artwork contained herein is prohibited without the express written permission of Wizards of the Coast. ©2018 Wizards of the Coast LLC, PO Box 707, Renton, WA 98057 -0707, USA. Manufactured by Hasbro SA, Rue Emile-Boéchat 31, 2800 Delémont, CH. Represented by Hasbro Europe, 4 SampleThe Square, Stockley Park, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB11 1ET, file Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only . T.E. Firearms 1 Firearms Fire L ance Introduction and Points of Interest Firearm, 5 lb, Two-handed, (2d4) Bludgeoning, Ranged (15/30), Reload, Blaze Rod What are Firearms in D&D Firearms by definition are barreled ranged weapons that inflict damage by launching projectiles. In the world of D&D the firearms are created with the use of rare metals and alchemical discoveries.
  • Modern Guns and Smokeless Powder

    Modern Guns and Smokeless Powder

    BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME FROM THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIFT OF Henrg W. Sage 1S91 /\:,JM^n? ^I'tClfl ofseo Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030760072 : : MODERN GUNS AND SMOKELESS POWDER. ARTHUR RIGG JAMES GARVIE. LONDON E. & F. N. SPON, 125, STRAND. NEW YORK SPON & CHAMBERLAIN, 12, CORTLANDT STREET. 1892. MODERN GUNS AND SMOKELESS POWDER. PART I. INTRODUCTION. Gunpowder, the oldest of all explosives, has been the subject of many scientific investigations, sup- ported by innumerable experiments ; but Nature guards her secrets well ; and to this day it cannot be said that the cycle of chemical changes brought about by the combustion of gunpowder is thoroughly understood. Its original components vary, but are generally about 75 parts potassium nitrate, 15 parts carbon, and 10 parts sulphur, with other ingredients some- times added. These materials, when simply mixed together, burn with considerable vigour, but cannot rank as an explosive until they have been thoroughly incorporated, so that the different molecules are brought into such close proximity that each finds a neighbour ready and willing to combine on the smallest encouragement. Heat furnishes the necessary stimulus, by pro- 2 MODERN GUNS AND SMOKELESS POWDER. moting chemical activity ; and, when combined with concussion, the molecules are driven closer to- gether, and this intimate association accelerates their combination. The effect of mere concussion is shown to greater advantage when any of the more dangerous ex- plosives, such as iodide of nitrogen, are subjected to experiment.
  • Artillery Through the Ages, by Albert Manucy 1

    Artillery Through the Ages, by Albert Manucy 1

    Artillery Through the Ages, by Albert Manucy 1 Artillery Through the Ages, by Albert Manucy The Project Gutenberg EBook of Artillery Through the Ages, by Albert Manucy This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: Artillery Through the Ages A Short Illustrated History of Cannon, Emphasizing Types Used in America Author: Albert Manucy Release Date: January 30, 2007 [EBook #20483] Language: English Artillery Through the Ages, by Albert Manucy 2 Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ARTILLERY THROUGH THE AGES *** Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Christine P. Travers and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net ARTILLERY THROUGH THE AGES A Short Illustrated History of Cannon, Emphasizing Types Used in America UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fred A. Seaton, Secretary NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Conrad L. Wirth, Director For sale by the Superintendent of Documents U. S. Government Printing Office Washington 25, D. C. -- Price 35 cents (Cover) FRENCH 12-POUNDER FIELD GUN (1700-1750) ARTILLERY THROUGH THE AGES A Short Illustrated History of Cannon, Emphasizing Types Used in America Artillery Through the Ages, by Albert Manucy 3 by ALBERT MANUCY Historian Southeastern National Monuments Drawings by Author Technical Review by Harold L. Peterson National Park Service Interpretive Series History No. 3 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1949 (Reprint 1956) Many of the types of cannon described in this booklet may be seen in areas of the National Park System throughout the country.
  • The Ottoman Gunpowder Empire and the Composite Bow Nathan Lanan Gettysburg College Class of 2012

    The Ottoman Gunpowder Empire and the Composite Bow Nathan Lanan Gettysburg College Class of 2012

    Volume 9 Article 4 2010 The Ottoman Gunpowder Empire and the Composite Bow Nathan Lanan Gettysburg College Class of 2012 Follow this and additional works at: https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/ghj Part of the Islamic World and Near East History Commons, and the Military History Commons Share feedback about the accessibility of this item. Lanan, Nathan (2010) "The Ottoman Gunpowder Empire and the Composite Bow," The Gettysburg Historical Journal: Vol. 9 , Article 4. Available at: https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/ghj/vol9/iss1/4 This open access article is brought to you by The uC pola: Scholarship at Gettysburg College. It has been accepted for inclusion by an authorized administrator of The uC pola. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Ottoman Gunpowder Empire and the Composite Bow Abstract The Ottoman Empire is known today as a major Gunpowder Empire, famous for its prevalent use of this staple of modern warfare as early as the sixteenth century. However, when Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq visited Constantinople from 1554 to 1562, gunpowder was not used by the Sipahi cavalry who stubbornly, it seems, insisted on continuing to use the composite bow that the Turks had been using for centuries. This continued, despite their fear of European cavalry who used “small muskets” against them on raids. Was this a good idea? Was the composite bow a match or contemporary handheld firearms? Were Turkish tactics incompatible with firearms to the point that the Ottomans would have lost their effectiveness on the battlefield? Could the
  • Social Impact Assessment Report Updated Environmental Assessment Physical and Cultural Resources (Pcr)

    Social Impact Assessment Report Updated Environmental Assessment Physical and Cultural Resources (Pcr)

    Upper Cisokan Pumped Storage Hydropower Scheme Consolidated Environmental Impact Assessment (Final) SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT UPDATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PHYSICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES (PCR) UPPER CISOKAN PUMPED STORAGE PROJECT BANDUNG 2009 March, 2011 App-E1-1 Upper Cisokan Pumped Storage Hydropower Scheme Consolidated Environmental Impact Assessment (Final) Contents 1 BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................. 1 2 THE OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY ........................................................................................................ 1 3 METHODOLOGY OF STUDY ............................................................................................................. 1 3.1 Method of Study ..................................................................................................................... 1 3.2 Method of Data Collection ...................................................................................................... 1 3.3 Method of Data Analysis ......................................................................................................... 2 4 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY ............................................................................................................... 2 4.1 Physical Cultural Resources .................................................................................................... 2 4.2 Connectivity Issues .................................................................................................................
  • Prices of Weapons and Munitions in Early Sixteenth Century Holland During the Guelders War1

    Prices of Weapons and Munitions in Early Sixteenth Century Holland During the Guelders War1

    James P. Ward Prices of Weapons and Munitions in Early Sixteenth Century Holland during the Guelders War1 1. Introduction The adage that to have peace one has to prepare for war may not be of Classical antiquity but the principle was known to Livy and the Ancients,2 and so the influence of the weapons industry on world peace and economy hardly needs to be emphasized now. The purpose of this article is both to present data on retail prices of individual weapons and munitions of war in the first decades of the sixteenth century in Holland, and to show how the magistrates there prepared to defend their cities against an aggressor by purchasing weapons to arm the citizens. Prices quoted here for strategic commodities of war in the early sixteenth century complement those given by Posthumus in his survey of prices for the later sixteenth century and beyond.3 Kuypers published inventories of weapons maintained in castles and elsewhere in Holland and the Netherlands in the first half of the sixteenth century, but the cities of Holland were not included in his descriptions.4 A recent study by De Jong reveals the growth of the early modern weapons industry in the Republic of the United Netherlands in the period 1585-1621 as part of a process of state formation based on entrepreneurship, economic growth and military reform.5 As sources for the present investigation accounts of the Treasurer for North-Holland at The Hague, and of the city treasurers of Haarlem, Leiden, Dordrecht and Gouda were examined for expenditures on weapons and munitions.
  • Antique Arms, Modern Sporting Guns & Exceptional Firearms

    Antique Arms, Modern Sporting Guns & Exceptional Firearms

    Antique Arms, Modern Sporting Guns & Exceptional Firearms Montpelier Street, London I 3 December 2020 Antique Arms, Modern Sporting Guns & Exceptional Firearms Montpelier Street, London | Thursday 3 December 2020 Antique Arms: Lots 1 - 116 at 10.30am Modern Sporting Guns & Exceptional Firearms: Lots 117 - 363 at 2pm BONHAMS ENQUIRIES SALE NUMBER IMPORTANT INFORMATION Montpelier Street Antique Arms & Armour 25987 Please note that lots of Iranian Knightsbridge, Director London SW7 1HH Please see page 2 for bidder and Persian origin are subject David Williams to US trade restrictions which www.bonhams.com +44 (0) 20 7393 3807 information including after-sale collection and shipment currently prohibit their import +44 (0) 7768 823 711 mobile into the United States, with no VIEWING [email protected] exemptions. BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Please see back of catalogue for important notice to bidders Sunday 29 November Modern Sporting Guns Similar restrictions may apply 11am – 3pm William Threlfall to other lots. Monday 30 November Senior Specialist ILLUSTRATIONS 9am – 7pm +44 (0) 20 7393 3815 Front cover: Lots 345 & 337 It is the buyers responsibility Tuesday 1 December [email protected] Back cover: Lot 38 to satisfy themselves that the 9am – 4.30pm Inside front cover: Lot 98 lot being purchased may be Wednesday 2 December Administrator Inside back cover: Lot 56 imported into the country of 9am – 4.30pm Helen Abraham destination. +44 (0) 20 7393 3947 REGISTRATION BIDS [email protected] IMPORTANT NOTICE The United States Government +44 (0) 20 7447 7447 Please note that all customers, has banned the import of ivory To bid via the internet Junior Cataloguer irrespective of any previous activity into the USA.
  • Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal Empires Notes

    Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal Empires Notes

    The Muslim World Ottomans, Safavids, Mughals SSWH12 Describe the development and contributions of the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires. 12a. Describe the development and geographical extent of the Ottoman, Safavid, and the Mughal Empires. 12b. Describe the cultural contributions of the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires. The Ottoman, Safavid & Mughal Empire were Muslim empires extending from Anatolia (Modern Day Turkey) to India They were know as “gunpowder empires” because they had learned to weaponize gunpowder by using it in cannons with which they could destroy walls around cities These empires also used cavalry and composite bows to increase their military success Ottoman Empire: Osman (Othman) (1300-1326) Ottoman Empire named for him Established small Muslim state in Anatolia Ottoman Empire The Turko-Mongol ruler Timur challenged Ottoman expansion when he captured the Sultan and took Ottoman land This caused a civil war in the Ottoman Empire and Murad II seized power and continued expansion. Ottoman Empire: Mehmed II (1444-1446, 1451-1481) Conquered Constantinople - 1453 Opened it to new citizens of many religions and backgrounds Rebuilt city – renamed it Istanbul Ottoman Empire: Selim the Grim (1512-1520) Mehmed’s grandson Defeated Safavids in 1514 - Battle of Chaldiran Swept into Syria, Palestine, & North Africa Captured Mecca & Medina Finally captured Cairo (intellectual center of Muslim world) *Given title of “Lawgiver” for simplifying system of taxation & reducing government Ottoman Empire: bureaucracy
  • How Does a Cannon Work?

    How Does a Cannon Work?

    National Park Service Fort Moultrie U.S. Department of the Interior Fort Sumter National Monument How Does A Cannon Work? Tube Top View Tube Chassis Muzzle Trunnions Vent Cascabel Breech Carriage Introduction People have been fascinated with guns since the invention of artillery in the Middle Ages. This basic guide explains how 19th century seacoast cannon operated, and the types of projectiles they fired. These guns are muzzle loaders; everything entered and left through the muzzle. The gun has three basic components: the tube, the carriage, and the chassis. The tube rests on the carriage, which supports it for firing and controls recoil (energy released when the gun fires). Most tubes are made of cast iron. The tube and carriage rests on a chassis, which permits the movement of the cannon left, right, forward or back to aim, load and fire. All together, this weapon is called a piece. Smoothbore Smoothbore guns typically fired spherical Spherical case shot are similar projectiles; the classic round cannonball. to shells, but also contain Ammunition consists of five kinds: solid shot, shell, shrapnel (musket balls). These spherical case shot, canister, and grape shot. are antipersonnel rounds, timed to explode in front of Solid shot are used for the target while airborn. puncturing walls, buildings and ships. When heated they Canister and grape shot turns a cannon into a become hot shot, used for shotgun, killing men and destroying objects alike. starting fires. Canister Shells are hollow, with a charge of gunpowder inside. The powder is ignited by a timed fuse, which lights when the gun is fired.