30 Years War Battlefield Finds

[Battlefield 1866]

Here is a look at some of the different type weapon parts recovered from the battlefield. In the picture “Gunparts.1” you can see a matchlock plate, wheel lock plate, trigger guards, trigger levers for the matchlocks, triggers for matchlocks or wheel locks, wheel lock hammer, matchlock hammer or serpentine, priming pan assemblies, and pieces of exploded gun barrel.

In picture “Matchlock.assy.1” are various gun tools, see number next to the pieces on the picture.
1 – Bullet pouch or purse frame with lion head and two human head medallion type mounts.
2 – Priming flask spout
3 and 4 – Rifle rest or fork with the bottom point.
5 – Scissors used to cut the match cords.
6 – Round ball mold with copper mold halves
7 – Round ball mold
8 – ½ of a bronze round ball mold
9 – Lead cap for bandoleer powder tube
10 – Cannon vent pick
11 – Musket vent picks
12 – Wheel lock spanner, used to wind up the “wheel” tension in order to be able to fire the weapon.
13 – various ramrod tips, barrel swipes, and ball extractors

In Picture “Pikes.1” you can see several pikes found on the battlefield as well as 2 pieces of the side strapping which is coiled up from impact and collapse of the pike shaft in combat.

Picture “Rapierparts.1” you can see a broken hand guard, 2 pommels, and a couple rapier-sword scabbard chapes. Also, a nice iron dagger scabbard and several of the crossbow bolt types found on the battlefield.

Brad