Target (shield) with Breech-Loading Gun

Cultureperhaps Italian

Dateabout 1540

MediumWood, steel, tinned iron, brass and fabric with paint and modern restorations

Dimensions7.5 × 48.6 × 28 cm (2 15/16 × 19 1/8 × 11 in.), 9 lb, 10 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.768

DescriptionShield concave to body, with wooden core (oak or ash) faced with steel.

Wood core is built of 9 vertical slats in back (with one small partial slat lost at each side), on top of a presumably comparable number of horizontal slats. The core is secured to the metal facing by slightly rounded brass rivets with thin square tinned washers on the inside face. (The uppermost pair at the escutcheon-plate are modern.) At intervals between layers are traces of coarse canvas-like fabric which once probably formed a decorative, fringed border. Additionally, at least one set of rivets at the overlap of the outer metal rim has traces of material under the washers, which are probably from the now-lost lining. Wood perhaps coated with fibrous, blackish-brown preservative, probably contemporaneously (this might actually be a layer of sinew).

Extending transversely across inner face of shield is large rectangular area with trace remains of glued pad for forearm. The pad seems to have been a natural canvas color. Both straps encircling the forearm (except the buckle) and the cushioned handgrip are modern, and secured by modern wood screws (these have been removed and are stored separately).

Steel outer face formed of 8 overlapping, truncated wedge-shaped plates forming a circle, the joins of which are reinforced in a spoke-like fashion with 8 gutter-like plates each secured with three rivets. Around the perimeter all the previous plates are overlapped by 8 similar gutter-shaped rim-plates and each secured by six rivets. In the center the plates are overlapped by a slightly rounded, circular boss, secured by sixteen brass rivets (two restored); an opening in the top of this is covered with a shield-shaped escutcheon-plate, secured by three rivets. Center of escutcheon-plate pierced for gun barrel and above this are four holes in a quatrefoil pattern for sighting. All plates are secured with brass-headed rivets, which are fastened in back over square washers.

Gun is restored. 11" in length, with barrel of circular section tapering slightly toward the muzzle, 15 mm bore at muzzle. Integral breech is of square section, with "U"-shaped, pivoted cover, secured by recurved spring-release. Both cover & bracket on which gun is mounted lack pierced lug-and-pin mounts. Bore of breech is 24 mm., & lacks tubular cartridge. The gun is secured to the supporting plate by a modern 9/16" bolt and washer. Breech is secured to the upper surface of a steel bar that is supported by a strut underneath that affixes to the bottom of the shield. Above & to right of breech is serpentine & mount. The serpentine proper is of elongates "U" shape with thumbscrew-tightened jaws and a scallop-shell shaped terminal pierced for a pull-cord. The serpentine pivot at either end of a restored screwed mount, and is kept in the "safe" position by means of a coiled brass spring (also restored) fitted at mid-length on the axle.

The shield itself is not of "proof", and is devoid of any traces of surface decoration, although microscopic analysis of the boss face may reveal some remmnants of Italianate-style etching such as that on examples in the Armouries, H.M. Tower of London. Like the Tower examples, the extreme edges of the wood core has traces of a yellowish paint, which may have been applied to the metal surface in the 18th century.

An old leather-wrapped grip is on the right side, possibly a replacement, held in place with recent screws. A buckle on a short leather strap lies at the lower L, also old but now held in place with recent screws. It faces upward, but lacks a corresponding strap to attach to, though 2 seemingly recent holes about 20 cm above probably once secured such a strap.
Label TextThe Renaissance brought intensified interest in technological innovation. Henry VIII of England, always a fan of the latest military technology, purchased a large number of these gun-shields. They would have been impressive equipment for his personal guards, but they were never successful as military gear. The design required that the gun be loaded from the back, or breech. Breech-loading weapons didn’t become common until the late 1800s, and for good reasons. Renaissance technology couldn’t create a perfect seal when closing up the breech, and an imperfect seal could make the weapon blow backwards instead forwards. ProvenanceProbably the Armouries, H.M. Tower of London Collection of Cornelia, Countess of Craven, near Coventry, England (to 26 April 1922) Christie's (London), their lot 93 Joseph Duveen (for Mackay) Clarence H. Mackay Purchased by Museum on July 18, 1939 from Jacques Seligmann & Co. (NYC), agents for the estate of Clarence H. Mackay (Roslyn, L.I.). Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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