Leather guns and other light artillery in mid-17th century Scotland

Abstract

Leather guns were a 17th century experiment in gun manufacture that began in Switzerland and was adopted in Scotland. Their advantage was lightness: a relatively thin metal barrel was tightly wound with rope, wire or cord and encased in leather. Twenty-three such guns exist in Scotland, representing six types, and as a whole are distinguished from other European examples by several special features. James Wemyss in Fife was the principal Scottish maker, and a full discussion of the historical background is provided. A R