Military Collectibles
Gun making in England did not flourish until just before the American Civil War. The early English firearms included a breech-loaded gun with a cannon-like barrel and a mask on the butt-cap. Early Swiss and German immigrants to America brought this short-barreled rifle in the early 18th century. Soon, the Kentucky long-barreled rifles with a patch box on the butt were being made by Pennsylvania Germans.
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ArmorIn the middle Ages mainly iron and steel were used in the construction of chain mail and plate. Chain mail armor was a garment made from interlocking rings of wire; plate armor was formed of separate steel plates shaped to fit the body and joined together by rivets and straps. Armor composed entirely of steel plates dates from the fourteenth century. A full harness of plate Armour comprised a large number of plates carefully tailored to an individual's measurements. Considerable skill was necessary to make the plate thick at the front where protection was needed and thin at the edges for lightness.
Edged WeaponsThe medieval sword was broad, and straight, with a double-edged blade designed for chopping against mail armor, the guard was a simple crossbar known as a quillon, and the hilt terminated in a large knob or pommel. The 15th century advancements in armor required the development of a narrower sword used for thrusting against plate armor. The guard evolved into an S shape by the mid 15th century known as the knucklebow, which reached its decorative zenith in late 16th century Europe in the rapier, an ornamental dueling weapon.
FirearmsThe first handguns required a free hand to ignite the gunpowder via the touchhole, compromising accuracy. The matchlock was developed to enhance precision, a movable armature that responds to trigger pressure by delivering a lighted match into the pan. Unreliable in inclement weather, the matchlock was replaced in the early 16th century by the wheel lock. Pulling the trigger released a grooved wheel held against a piece of pyrite. The wheel lock gave way to the snaphaunce, which held a flint that ran down rough steel to the flash pan, this preceded the flintlock developed by the French in 1612.
Uniforms and DecorationsOn 7 August 1792, General George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit, but after the Revolutionary War it had fallen into disuse. The fierce fighting and deeds of bravery during the Civil War revitalized America's desire to recognize heroic conduct. On February 17, 1862, legislation was introduced in the senate that authorized the medal for the Army and in December of 1861 a similar award was approved for Naval personnel.
