Tiller length?

[BillinOregon]

Just wondering what length tiller is both sensible and authentic on a handgonne. Period depictions show them sticking out under the right arm when held in both hands for firing, so I am guessing somewhere between three and four feet. But I suspect very few if any medieval tillers have survived ...

 

[wulf]

You are the gonne maker so I would guess that
it would be anything you make it...There were
so many different periods and makes. Mine is
2 1/2 feet long with a ten inch barrel...The
picture I took it from is in ToW with the bands
holding the barrel....I added the "S" match
holder....

 

[Teleoceras]

BillinOregon:

The ones I measured are 46"-47" visible.

Slowmatch Forever!
Teleoceras

 

[widget350]

When I was researching this, I found information that suggested they had a wide range of lengths (roughly 2-7 ft.) Some were held under the arm, some aimed over the shoulder. It seems they were still trying to figure out what a firearm should be, so they drew from what they knew - maces, axes, pole arms, etc. For my full size Morko gonne, I settled on about 37", mainly because that's the limit of the lathe I did the initial shaping on. I find it handles well and is compact enough that it transports easily, though it is a little muzzle heavy.

 

[wulf]

Agree...and all the vidios I have seen, the
shooter braces himself to fire and It didn't
seem like very much recoil...Ofcourse that
will depend a great deal on weight of the ball
and amount of powder...

 

Agree...and all the vidios I have seen, the
shooter braces himself to fire and It didn't
seem like very much recoil...Ofcourse that
will depend a great deal on weight of the ball
and amount of powder...

On the question of tiller length, whatever you fancy. There is no set length.

As for recoil, I have shot a 1 inch bore handgonne with 120 grains of ffg and a .990 ball with mild recoil. Keep in mind, I stand 5'10" and weigh 260lbs.

ZEUS