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LOT 1272
1592 Dated Wheellock Hand Mortar/Grenade
Launcher - NSN, 2.36 inch cal.,
6 3/4 inch round bbl., bright finish, hardwood stock. Muzzleloading hand
mortars in general are very rare, and the older examples are
naturally even rarer. In addition to fused grenades (grenadoes),
there are reports that at least some of these interesting firearms were used for launching
fireworks, lines, incendiary projectiles, or grapeshot/buckshot. They were particularly suited to siege warfare,
but they could be dangerous to use, especially in the case of a flash in the pan or other misfire with a lit
grenade. This example is marked dated 1592 and is an very fascinating piece with fine metal work and scrimshaw inlays.
The bronze/brass barrel has a 2.36 inch muzzle opening, cast girdles and floral patterns, and a plain iron tang. The lock
has bestial engraving on the dog, some engraving on the other small components such as masks on the pan cover,
“1592” (last digit is a bit hard to read) on the side of the pan, and an “AA” or “HH” maker’s mark inside a cartouche shaped
like two eagles endorsed. The stock has some incised carving at the forend tip, a pair of classical figures engraved on the stag-horn inlays by the tang, “1592” on the inlay immediately to the
rear of the tang, an escutcheon with “B*D” over a stag’s head, and disc shaped lock screw plates.
CONDITION: Very good with dark aged patina on the barrel, gray patina and some minor oxidation on the lock and small components, replaced lock screws (re-tapped), and mild overall wear. The refinished stock is good with repairs visible around the lock, four holes on the underside of the forend, hole in the left side of the butt, repaired toe and heel, and general mild scratches, dings, gouges, and surface flakes. This is definitely a piece that will add interest to any antique arms collection.
Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 1273
Incredibly Scarce Late 18th Century European
Flintlock Grenade Launcher/Hand Mortar with Relief Carved Stock
- NSN, 4 cal., 4 1/2 inch round bbl., bright finish, hardwood stock. This is a
rare example of a late-18th century European flintlock grenade launcher/
hand mortar. These were used primarily in the late 17th and 18th century.
They could be used for launching pre-lit fused grenades, weighted lines, and grappling hooks further distances than could be thrown by
hand. Some may have been used for launching fireworks. The varied shape of some of the barrels certainly suggest some had different purposes. The cup shape on
this example would be conducive for launching a grenade. The fact that the grenades generally had to be pre-lit certainly seems dangerous given flintlocks routinely
misfire. These devices do not appear to have been used in large numbers, and very few of these guns survive today. Many that do, originated in Europe, and are generally contained within museum
collections which makes examples on the private market in the U.S. incredibly hard to find. There are no identifying markings found anywhere on this hand mortar. The iron lock and fittings are in the style of Austrian
flintlock arms of the late 1700s. Brass furniture and barrel. Nicely shaped tear drop flats and relief carving at the breech and around the stock comb. The opening of the cup has a 4 inch diameter.
CONDITION: Very good with attractive bright patina on the brass, gray and brown patina on the iron lock with some light pitting, and some scattered light handling marks. Stock is good as lightly sanded and refinished with some light chipping around the edges, a spliced and repaired section (butts into part of the carving) above the rear of the lock, a crack above the rear lock screw, and distinct carving. Absent front lock screw, otherwise mechanically fine. This incredibly scarce example of an early hand mortar would make an excellent addition to any early flintlock martial collection!
224 Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr. Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500