02-07-2014, 09:54 PM
Semih,
That is a possible explanation. After all, the springald is assumed to be a development of the Roman ballista. If that were their inspiration I would expect to see a box shaped frame around it. Also, the springald was an arrow shooter usually depicted with either a narrow aperture that the arrow travelled through, or with the arms further back inside the frame. Both those features would be very dangerous when throwing a grenade. These have the springs and arms at the very front where they can not easily block the throw. There is also the fact that the makers of this grenade thrower were French like Victor Prou and the machine bears a striking resemblance to the ones on Trajan's Column which helped inspire his theory.
That is a possible explanation. After all, the springald is assumed to be a development of the Roman ballista. If that were their inspiration I would expect to see a box shaped frame around it. Also, the springald was an arrow shooter usually depicted with either a narrow aperture that the arrow travelled through, or with the arms further back inside the frame. Both those features would be very dangerous when throwing a grenade. These have the springs and arms at the very front where they can not easily block the throw. There is also the fact that the makers of this grenade thrower were French like Victor Prou and the machine bears a striking resemblance to the ones on Trajan's Column which helped inspire his theory.
P. Clodius Secundus (Randi Richert), Legio III Cyrenaica
"Caesar\'s Conquerors"
"Caesar\'s Conquerors"
