Hand Cannons, Mortars, or Junk?

[drac2k]

I'm certainly no expert on weapons, but I know even less about these types of items. I'm guessing that they are hand mortars & cannons, but I haven't a clue about their age or origin.
Any help would be appreciated!

[Rick]

Some of these little devices look like Thunder Mugs, or signal cannon.
Useful during fogs at sea like one would use a Foghorn.
Also used for a little noise and flash at parties.

[drac2k]

Thanks for the info, Rick.

[fernando]

I follow Rick. Very nice examples ... with age.

[drac2k]

Thanks, Fernando. They look like the ones that you posted on "Stone Balls for Comments;" are they the same type and do you have a rough idea or range of their age? Some are quite heavy ranging from 3/4" to 2" in bore with the longest being approx. 9" long.

[fernando]

Hard to know. These things can be as old as one, two, three centuries. It takes an expert to judge them by the shape, forged and not cast, touch hole, ect.
Maybe (maybe) number 4, 5 and 9 would be hand cannon barrels.

[drac2k]

Thanks, that does help. To further impose on you do you have any general idea what area they could be from;i.e. Asian, European, etc.?

[fernando]

I would say these types are European ... until better judgement.

[drac2k]

Thanks

[midelburgo]

Aside from signalling devices, I have seen them described as used for fireworks.

[Kmaddock]

Hi
I love these items, can I ask did they all come out of one collection and is there a back ground story?
WRT the one 2 I have indicated below I think the hole is too large a diameter to be touch hole, I feel the blast would come out the side just as much as out the front of the "barrel" but great items all the same.

Regards

Ken

[fernando]

Maybe an optical ilusion. What they have is a pan under the hole to 'deposit' the priming gunpowder. A different type of ignition.



.

[drac2k]

So there would be two ignitions; the primer in the pan and the actual charge? Was this done to ensure a more controlled discharge as opposed to a fuse or lighting up the actual touchhole?
Yes, these items came in 2 lots from the same auction where there were a number of other cannon-type items for sale; they went very reasonably(or so I thought so), and so I did what I usually do when I don't know anything about the item(s), ..... I bought them. Instant collection, lol.

[fernando]

There is only one ignition, and apparently more than one way to ignite the powder charge inside the barrel. It may be by lighting a fuse that is introduced inside the touch hole; or pouring gunpowder in the pan and light it, the sparks entering the touch hole.
That is a rough way to put it. Surely more knowledged members can tell you better. Or you can learn the basics in the Internet ;).

[drac2k]

Thanks for my ongoing education.