content_output-083_4 (Q6723)

The harquebusier or culveriner—the man who carried and fired a hand-gun—was usually also conversant with its manufacture, sometimes was the actual maker of the weapon; hence the application of the name to gun-makers. The great difficulty with which he had to contend in the field of battle was obtaining fire with which to ignite his gun or, when armed with a matchlock, to keep the match aglow. The weapons were very heavy, most unwieldy, tiresome to load, and continually missing fire.