Belgrade mortar
The Belgrade mortar is a ten-pound standing mortar and was cast in Vienna in 1714 by Leopold Halil, who is mentioned as a piece caster between 1714 and 1738 . It is made of bronze , has a caliber of 17 cm; the other dimensions are: outer diameter 26.5 cm; Length of flight 26 cm; Depth of the powder chamber 13 cm; Weight 153 kg.
description
In the upper field there are handles in the shape of a dolphin , in the middle there is a high relief with the imperial double eagle and the monogram of Emperor Charles VI. "C. VI. ". On both sides of the coat of arms there are subsequently incised depictions, on the left: View of a Turkish fortress in which a falling projectile causes an explosion; right: Half-length portrait of Prince Eugene of Savoy . The ignition pan has the shape of a bearded mask, underneath is the foundry inscription:
"GOS: M: L: HALIL.K: S: IW / 1714" ("poured me Leopold Halil imperial piece caster in Vienna").
Furthermore, an additional inscription added later:
“ANNO 1717 AUGUST 14TH / WAS I IN THE FORTH OF BELGRADE TO SCARCE / AND MY LITTLE BOM MUST WAKE UP TO DEATH / SHE POWDED INTO THE POWDER HOUSE AND READ NOTHING IN IT / AS IAMER DEATH AND GORGEOUS”.
This inscription as well as the two incised images refer to a very specific event: The mortar was used during the siege of Belgrade by the Imperial Army under Prince Eugene in 1717 . On August 14, 1717 between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., a projectile from the mortar hit the main ammunition and powder depot in Belgrade, which was defended by the Turks . The result was widespread devastation of the city and around 3,000 deaths.
The mortar barrel was originally in the collection of old artillery in the Imperial and Royal Artillery Arsenal and was later given to the Imperial and Royal Army Museum. The carriage is a replica of the mortar loops that were common at the beginning of the 18th century.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Heeresgeschichtliches Museum (Ed.): Prinz Eugen von Savoyen 1663–1736. Exhibition for the 300th birthday October 9 to December 31, 1963 , Vienna 1963, p. 186
- ↑ Johann Christoph Allmayer-Beck : The Army History Museum Vienna. Hall II - The 18th Century to 1790 . Kiesel Verlag, Salzburg 1983, pp. 75-77.
- ^ Manfried Rauchsteiner , Manfred Litscher (ed.): The Army History Museum in Vienna. Graz, Vienna 2000 pp. 10–15.
- ↑ Illustration of the Belgrade mortar (Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Vienna) and additional information (viewed on 5 Aug. 2009)