Gear-Train Study with Notarial Jottings
Toothed wheels counted to 32 and a mechanism, amid a name and a 1404-florin debt note
The fragment is dominated by a mechanism of toothed wheels and an escapement-like assembly of arms, springs and a graduated radial dial. A note beside it explains the gearing: 16 teeth and 8 'master' teeth, with one tooth exposed and one covered so that all together make 32. Scattered among the drawings are jottings of another kind — an 'In the name of God, amen' invocation with the name Francesco d'Antonio, the label 'E - Leonardo', and, on the reversed sheet, a record that Francesco d'Antonio in Florence and his partner in Bacchereto owe 1404 florins.
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Toothed wheels: 16 teeth and 8 master teeth making 32
A note on the gearing distinguishes teeth from 'master' teeth: 16 teeth and 8 master teeth, with one tooth left uncovered and one covered, so arranged that all together number 32.
Escapement-like mechanism with labelled parts
Within the machine drawing, a row of repeated letter-labels (a-a-a-a-a) marks parts of an assembly of arms, springs and a graduated dial.
Debt of 1404 florins
A memorandum, written with the sheet reversed, records that Francesco d'Antonio in Florence and his partner in Bacchereto must pay 1404 florins.
Invocation and the name Francesco d'Antonio
A formulaic 'In the name of God, amen. In the year of the Lord, amen' opening followed by the name Francesco d'Antonio.
Signature label 'E - Leonardo'
A short label at the left reading 'E - Leonardo'.