Accession Number

1986.008.0930a

Alternate object names

Gun Barrel

Creation Date

circa 1620

Description

The dozens of firearms recovered from the wrecks of the 1622 galleons are the clearest physical reminder of the presence of soldiers onboard. There were 146 marine infantrymen – 78 on the Atocha and 68 on the Margarita – assigned to protect the valuable cargoes of the two ships, and many carried firearms.

The guns are two varieties of the same technology. The larger muskets, and smaller harquebuses, were both matchlocks, meaning that they ignited their charge using a burning match or cord. A priming pan held a sprinkling of gunpowder alongside the touchhole at the breech end of the barrel. When the trigger was pulled, the smoldering cord dropped into the pan and lit the powder there, which then ignited the gun’s main charge via the touchhole. Arquebuses and muskets used lead balls as projectiles. The shoulder mounted weapons were heavy and often required a support brace to be properly aimed and fired. See also: 1986.008.0930b--h.