Fixed and unfixed guns in probate inventories (the sources I am dealing with) do not refer to major pieces of ordiance since A) they appear in the inventories of individuals and B) they are of relatively low value--their vaules are comprable to birding pieces and other personal firearms. Mary Ellin D'Agostino [log in to unmask] On Sat, 4 Nov 1995, Reynolds wrote: > I may have this wrong, but since in the 17th century 'gun' retains > its primary meaning (=cannon), and has aquired a secondary meaning > (=moveable firearm except a pistol), I always have thought that 'fix' > means 'fixed down, permanent', and 'unfixed' being portable. I just > checked in the OED - and it doesn't have 'unfixed' as being portable > (it does have the other meanings), so I probably have got this wrong. > > In message <[log in to unmask]> H IS > [log in to unmask] writes: > > As long as we are on the subject of guns... > > Does anyone know, exactly, what a 'fixed' vs 'unfixed' gun means in the > > 17th century? It does not mean 'broken' (many readers of probate data > > make this assumption). All the Oxford English Dictionary indicates for > > this usage is "Prepared, put in order." > > > > Mary Ellin D'Agostino > > [log in to unmask] > > > > -- > Pat Reynolds > Keeper of Social History, Buckinghamshire County Museum / Freelance Curator > > 16 Gibsons Green > Heelands > MILTON KEYNES > England MK13 7NH > > [log in to unmask] >