"16th Century Cannon" Topic

I seem to have lost my original question! I was asking if anyone knew what the articulated rods/bars linking the ends of the axle with the cheeks of the gun trail were for? Or what they are called? These are depicted on many 16th century cannon. I wondered if they are for stability or assist in hauling the gun in some way. Thanks.

I thought an image might better illustrate my question…

I don't know what the reason they used them was but I can make a few 'guesses' based on the mechanics.

The links are obviously flexible so it is unlikely that they were intended as braces or stiffeners.

Far more likely is that they prevent the axle twisting beyond a small limit. This could happen on uneven ground either during transit or recoil and might easily damage the axle or its fittings.

They would also even out the bending stress on the axle during recoil with the centre and extremities of the axle all moving together.

That sounds plausible. They don't seem to appear of carriages towards the end of the century, so one can only assume the artisans who made them found another way round the problem. Incidentally, I have been unable to find a really good resource on 16th century land-based artillery (though I have found some on naval guns). Can anyone recommend anything?

See the 16th century Holy Roman Empire field artillery thread.

There is also Renaissance Wafare, Part 4: The artillery by George Gush

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Renaissance Wafare, Part 4: The artillery by George Gush

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Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers