By the mid 17th century, Air Guns had progressed to the stage where they were beyond a novelty machine to pot away at small game, able to pierce a door two fingers thick from a range of 30 paces, they had become weapons, as the following quote shows -

In 1655 a plotter against the life of Oliver Cromwell was reported to have "bought at Utrecht a gunne, which shewts with wynde only a bullet at 150 paces, and that 7 times one after another, with one charging with wynde."

Illustration at right: Engraving on the lock of an airgun by Johann Kock of Cologne, 1654. The hunter pumps up the gun with a piston fitted into the butt.

Editor's Note:

This picture is really quite a find. For me, it represents better than so many English sources wbat I believe the newly equipped ECW soldier must have looked like. In particular, the Royalist Oxford Army after it was re-equipped in early '43. -The MONTERO as a common cap (less feathers)(Stuart Reld has done an article on this for next issue) - the CASSACK or SOLDIERS COAT, a simple cut and fairly long, the BREECHES- almost of a Dutch open kneed style, close but but not as draughty as some illustrations would lead us to believe, and certainly not some antiquated De Gheyn type breecbes of many pictures and costumes. I now challenge (and will gladly accept defeat) thoughts to the contrary. Well reasoned and supported arguments only! All defenses gratefully received!

More Notes

Air Guns of the English Civil War
London Trained Bands
Uniforms and Clothing

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