17 Wheel lock pistols
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| [1] 17 Wheel Lock Pistols, |
The wheellock pistol is so-named because it relies on the wheellock mechanism, which is similar in concept to a modern day cigarette lighter, although more complex. The pistol had a smoothbore barrel and a shorter wooden handle than other pistols of the time.
Uses
The wheellock was an ignition system designed after the matchlock in the late 16th century. Although the cost of manufacturing and complexity of the wheellock slowed its widespread adoptation, it was a more reliable mechanism than the matchlock and was suitable for cavalry. The mechanism was supplanted by simpler designs such as the English lock (doglock) that were later refined into the flintlock mechanism. The wheelock mechanism is actually faster firing than it's flintlock predicessors, but its complexity made it unreliable under the rigors of campain. Wheelock mechanisms were made for sport rifles through the 18th and early 19th centuries because of thier shorter ignition time.
Rapier & Main Gauche
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| [2] Musketeer holding Rapier & Main Gauche |
The Rapier and Main Gauche was a sword-and-dagger combination. It was the Close-Range weapon of the Muketeer.
The rapier is a long, thin-bladed sword with a sharp edge to prevent the weapon from being grabbed. The swept hilt protected the user's hand. The Main Gauche (French for "left hand") was a dagger similar to, but shorter than the rapier.
Uses
The rapier was a thrusting weapon carried in the right hand, while the main gauche was carried in the left and was primarily used for parrying the opponent's sword or for surpise strikes. They were the most popular sword and dagger of the Renaissance.
Because it allowed for fast reactions and had a long reach, the rapier was well-suited to civilian combat during the 16th and 17th Centuries. However, the sword never saw widespread use on the battlefield and was mainly restricted to use in duels.
Flintlock Musket
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| [3] Flintlock Musket |
The Flintlock Musket was a muzzle-loaded, smoothbore gun fired from the shoulder. It was the Long-Range weapon of the Musketeer.
The musket was typically a long-barreled gun, operated by means of a flintlock mechanism. The lock contained a hammer with a piece of flint, which stuck a steel plate, creating the spark which ignited the powder and fired the musket. The edge was given to the musket for its accuracy, heavy caliber, and option to mount a plug bayonet.
Uses
The flintlock musket was widely used in the 17th and 18th Centuries, with some seeing combat as late as the American Civil War. Because the weapon was not particularly accurate, the standard method of use involved large, tightly grouped formations firing in volleys, tactics which proved disastrous when more accurate, rapid-reloading rifles became common.
Grenade
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| [4] Grenade |
The grenade is a primitive explosive weapon used during the Renaissance Era. It was the Musketeer's Special weapon.
The grenade was an iron ball packed with black powder and metal scraps, with a fuse sticking out of the top.
Uses
Grenades were first used in the 15th Century, but did not see widespread use until the 17th Century. Specialized troops called Grenadiers were used to throw grenades at enemy troops, although later they were reabsorbed into the infantry. These early explosives had a tendency to prematurely detonate.
Bibliography
http://deadliestwarrior.wikia.com
http://www.armchairgunshow.com/otsMF_flintlocks.htm
Illustration List:
[1] 17 Wheel Lock Pistols, http://deadliestwarrior.wikia.com/wiki/File:17_Wheel_lock_pistols.jpg
[2] Rapier & Main Gauche
http://www.historyshop.piratemerch.com/images/musketeer_100790.jpg
[3] Flintlock Musket http://www.armchairgunshow.com/otsMF_flintlocks.htm
[4] Grenade http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100703155431/deadliestwarrior/images/3/36/Grenade.jpg
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