Pumhart von Steyr

Summary

The Pumhart von Steyr (lit.'Styrian Bombard')[1] is a medieval large-calibre cannon from Styria, Austria, and the largest known wrought-iron bombard by caliber.[2] It weighs around 8 t (7.9 long tons; 8.8 short tons) and has a length of more than 2.59 m (8 ft 6 in). It was produced in the early 15th century and could fire, according to modern calculations, an 800 mm (31 in) stone ball weighing 690 kg (1,520 lb) to a distance of roughly 600 m (2,000 ft) after being loaded with 15 kg (33 lb) of gunpowder and set at an elevation of 10°.[3]

Pumhart von Steyr
The Pumhart von Steyr in the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum at Vienna
TypeCannon Artillery
Place of originLiezen, Styria, Holy Roman Empire
Service history
In serviceHoly Roman Empire
Used byHabsburg
Production history
DesignedEarly 15th century
No. built1
VariantsNone
Specifications
Mass~ 8 t (7.9 long tons; 8.8 short tons)
Length2,590 mm (102 in)
Barrel length1,440 mm (57 in)
Diameter760–880 mm (30–35 in) (conical muzzle)
Crew4-6

Shell weight690 kg (1,520 lb)
Calibre800 mm (31 in) (ball diameter)
Barrels1
Rate of fire1 round every 2-3 Mins
Maximum firing range~600 m (2,000 ft)
SightsNone

The bombard is today on display in one of the artillery halls of the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum at Vienna.

Besides the Pumhart von Steyr, a number of 15th-century European large-calibre weapons are known to have been employed primarily in siege warfare, including the wrought-iron Mons Meg and Dulle Griet as well as the cast-bronze Faule Mette, Faule Grete and Grose Bochse.

Footnotes edit

  1. ^ "The Continuing Usefulness of Spolia II: Canons-Pierriers and Marble Cannon Balls". artserve.anu.edu.au.
  2. ^ Schmidtchen 1977a, p. 162
  3. ^ Schmidtchen 1977a, p. 163

See also edit

References edit

  • Schmidtchen, Volker (1977a). "Riesengeschütze des 15. Jahrhunderts. Technische Höchstleistungen ihrer Zeit". Technikgeschichte. 44 (2): 153–173 (162–164).

Further reading edit

  • Schmidtchen, Volker (1977b). Bombarden, Befestigungen, Büchsenmeister: Von den ersten Mauerbrechern des Spätmittelalters zur Belagerungsartillerie der Renaissance. Düsseldorf: Droste. pp. 33–34. ISBN 3-7700-0471-X.

External links edit

  Media related to Pumhart von Steyr at Wikimedia Commons