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What is that guy doing?

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The Miner '49er

The Miner '49er

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Most of us have seen this drawing many times before but it puzzles me. Can anyone suggest what the guy on the right is applying to the touch hole? Unless those medieval fingers were a lot tougher than mine, and he is igniting the handgonne, I bet he will only do it once. Any ideas?
 

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I'd consider that drawing an artist's fantasy. Look at the way the other man is holding the gonne. No way he could handle the recoil in that position. The drawing style looks Victorian. I'll bet someone said,

"I need a drawing of one man holding a primitive hand cannon and another man setting it off with a hot coal. Both wearing armor."

"Should I do any research first?"

"No, we're on a deadline."
 
I read that Indian matchlocks without a pan cover had priming mixed with a flammable binder, and it would stay put in the pan. So maybe that is the reason for the picture.
 
It most likely was AI (artist intelligence) from verbal prompts.
But remember, what we call matchlocks we assume were lit from burning string.
What does 'luntenschloss' mean? I understand the backup matchlocks in wheellocks used a dry fungus lint, that formed a coal and burned slow.
 
Thanks! You are right - and 'lunten' referes to the dry fungus punk match.

I think that could be what we see being used in a pinch to light the OP's powder - except the picture is so modern that I just think the artist interpreted the action of lighting a touch hole for himself.

I learned not to light safety fuse with a BIC lighter because it hurts and you say 'I was dumb! Again!' And I wouldn't light that handgonne off with a pinch of match, for the same reason.
 
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