War machines: mantlet, gun-wheel, and tower-assault engine
Studies of siege devices, with a small sketch of a standing bear
The sheet gathers military inventions: a mobile shelter or 'mantlet' for cutting into the wall of a tower, a small wheel or shield fitted with several gun-barrels, and an engine with a scaling ladder for assaulting a tower (marked 20-20). Amid the machines Leonardo has drawn a bear standing upright and clutching something to its chest. Further faint sketches and lines of mirror-script appear across the sheet that are not part of the transcribed blocks.
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Mantlet for breaching a tower
At the upper left stands a movable shelter, or 'mantlet' — a protective screen — proposed for cutting into the wall of a tower. An inclined, ramped timber structure is drawn beside a low wheeled base.
Wheel mounting several gun-barrels
Below the mantlet, a small round shield or wheel is fitted with a row of small hand-guns (scoppietti), the caption naming it a 'rotella' with barrels. Its spoked disc is set on a short stand.
Engine for assaulting a tower
At the lower right a tall tower is attacked by a scaling apparatus carrying a ladder, the framework noted with the figures 20-20. A trestle-like siege engine stands at its foot.
Sketch of a standing bear
Near the centre a bear is drawn standing upright on its hind legs, holding a small object to its chest. The animal study sits apart from the surrounding military machinery.