Pictures from the Jakarta Historical Museum -- myArmoury.com

Lafayette C Curtis

I don't think there are many pictures in this board that comes from museums from this part of the world (i.e. Indonesia), so here are some of the things I snapped in my last visit to one of the most important museums in the country. First comes the two pairs of guns mounted on pedestals to either side of the museum's entrance. I measured one of their muzzles and it came out slightly less than my handspan--perhaps 6 or 7 inches--and the other guns seem to be of similar size, so what would they be? 20-pounders? 24-pounders? Or 30-pounders?

Lafayette C Curtis · Posted: Fri 11 Apr, 2008 3:01 am Post subject:

And then two smaller guns (six-pounders?) displayed in the museum's courtyard.

Lafayette C Curtis · Posted: Fri 11 Apr, 2008 3:13 am Post subject:

Now, the only gun mounted on something that may resemble its original mount--a large fortification defense piece known locally as "Si Jagur"

Lafayette C Curtis · Posted: Fri 11 Apr, 2008 3:15 am Post subject:

Oh. Nearly forgot the inscriptions atop the big 'un's breech

Lafayette C Curtis · Posted: Fri 11 Apr, 2008 3:18 am Post subject:

The next set all comes from the same display case.

Lafayette C Curtis · Posted: Fri 11 Apr, 2008 3:20 am Post subject:

The other side of the room has this gun--more than two meters long, if my memory serves me right. The long barrel, large bore, and integral stand makes me think that it's probably a punt gun:

Lafayette C Curtis · Posted: Fri 11 Apr, 2008 3:21 am Post subject:

From a different room:

Lafayette C Curtis · Posted: Fri 11 Apr, 2008 3:26 am Post subject:

The next display case has three swords--the same ones whose pictures I posted to the sword ID thread. The one on the top/right seems to be one of Indian manufacture (or a local sword with Indian influences); the middle one looks European, probably Dutch (or Walloon?); the third can be local or it may have come from any part of Southeast Asia, since this form of blade and hilt seems to be fairly common throughout the region.

Robin Palmer · Posted: Fri 11 Apr, 2008 11:35 am Post subject:

Hi Lafayette

The big musket is more likely to be a wall or rampart gun I have a matchlock one made in Dekan in India the barrel is six feet long .93 caliber (23mm) for those poor souls who never had the pleasure of imperial measurements. It weighed 30lb with stock 50lb. These weapons were prodigious some years ago tests were carried out with a couple of 20mm specimens they proved capable of reaching almost 1600 yards. Given the range I would expect good accuracy out to 500 yards and make a hell of a hole in anyone they hit. With a good man behind it I would expect them to be effective against a block of men out to 1000 yards possibly more. Which would place most aritllary of the day well in range and expose the crews to the serious risk of being shot to pieces by a weapon they would have problems seeing much less dealing with.

Doug Strong · Posted: Wed 16 Apr, 2008 8:34 pm Post subject:

I like the fist on the back of the cannon. Thanks for sharing.

Jon H. · Posted: Thu 17 Apr, 2008 10:54 am Post subject:

Fantastic pictures, mate. I especially like the two middle spear heads in the polearm picture. Cool