Casting a bombard: five stages of the mould
The finished bombard i and the iron-reinforced form L, with foundry notes.
The sheet follows a bombard through successive stages of its casting mould, five long cylindrical forms drawn one below another and lettered g, h, i, K and L. The form marked i is identified as the finished bombard with its mouldings, carried up to the curve of the centring with cord and earth, cleaned with liquid earth and given a thin coat of tallow. A longer note explains how the form at stage K/L is armed lengthwise with iron bars, each two fingers wide and a finger thick, bound at every third of a braccio with straps cut from lock-plate bands, joined with iron wire and covered with a fine layer of earth.
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The finished bombard, marked i, with its mouldings
The form lettered i is described as the finished bombard with its mouldings (cornici). These are carried up until they touch the centring, using cord and earth; once dry the piece is cleaned off with liquid earth, dried again, and given a thin coat of tallow.
Reinforcing the mould with iron bars and straps
When the form reaches the stage of the one above marked K, it is armed lengthwise with iron bars that follow the mould's curves, each as long as the mould, a third of a braccio apart, two fingers wide and one thick. Straps four fingers wide, cut from lock-plate bands, bind the bars at every third of a braccio and are joined with iron wire, then covered with fine earth.
Five cylindrical forms of the bombard, g to L
Five long cylindrical forms are drawn one below another down the sheet, lettered g, h, i, K and L. They range from smooth and ribbed barrels to the finished mouldings and, at the foot, a form wrapped in a lattice of iron straps.