Description:

One of the problems Leonardo tackled in the military field was that of how to increase firing speed and fire power. On one sheet of the Codex Atlanticus, Leonardo drew three different types of multi-barrelled guns, arms which were decidedly advanced for the weaponry of those days and for this reason bound to arouse the interest of those who might commission their construction. This model reconstructs and completes what Leonardo himself defined as an “organ springald”. Mounted on a gun carriage are three revolving racks, each holding eleven barrels, for a total of “33 scoppietti” (‘bangers): while the first row shoots, the second can be reloaded and the third is cooling down. In this way it is possible to assure a high volume of fire power and a quick succession of volleys. The aim is regulated by a worm screw which allows the cannon to change the angle of the firing range.  A panel at the back serves both as a support and to block the central part of the cannon, to avoid it turning around during the firing process, deviating the direction of the shots.