Two hand cannon barrels reencounter their brother
 

Well, reencounter is a figure of speech :shrug: .
The previous one, already discussed here:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10345
... came from a Spanish auction site, with the help of a reputed forumite; the present couple was acquired in an antiques shop, not so far from my place. I wouldn't reject the idea that they also originate from Spain, though; it is obvious that they all came from the same forge or, at least, from the same area of influence.
The larger one is just a little smaller than the one i already had, but the smaller one has one third less dimensions ... and weight. However the caliber of all three is roughly the same.
A touch worthy of note is the four dot mark on the larger one that, this time, was applied below the touch hole.

Fernando.

Hi Fernando,
You're determined to let loose with a 'broadside', c'mon admit it! :cool: :D
Kind Regards,
Norman.

Impressive indeed, these two guys,

Actually two of a kind - including the touch hole mouldings and various other details! :) :cool: :eek:

Best,
Michael

Hi Norman,

Yeah, i'm gonna get me a hill which, with the help of those, will become inexpugnable :eek: .
Fernando

Hi Mickey

What do you mean by: :) :cool: :eek: ??

Must i fear their authencity ? :o

Fernando

No, Nando,

Not at all, I did not mean it this way - don't worry. ;)

Mi(c)key

Thanks Mi ... c ... key


http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/sp...istz_daisy.gif


Fernando

Based on the "Bàton à feu" in exhibition at the chateau de Castelnaud, i am making a pair of stocks for these two barrels.
Still to do a couple touch ups on the handles and provide them with some hanging devices; probably a just hole in the smaller one and an iron ring on the larger one ... if i find it somewhere, preferably in the junk, instead of shinning new.
Fernando

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The larger one now with a suspension ring.
This ring was extracted from an old and worn double hook device, which i think was for suspending big pots on the fire, or the like. The seller didn’t know what it was.
Fernando

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I have seen a video of a cannon enthusiast, in which he described these pieces being set-up upright, for fireworks, and demonstrated how they were used in that capacity. Perhaps this was their primary purpose?

Hi Dmitry,

I guess you have missed the various threads that were posted about this subject.
An aproach to these things timelime would be as follows:
As it is vastly recorded, the first of these devices that appeared, were around the same time as ground artillery, and were the predecessors of portable firearms, the so called hand gonnes. They were either mounted laying on stocks or had a socket hole in the back to be mounted on back pole extensions. The couple shown above seems to belong to such family, meant for horizontal use.
At a later stage barrels for upright use started to appear, to be shot either single or in serial devices, such as traps to defend castle gates or a number of other defence purposes.
Much later came the barrels for non bellicose purposes, such as gunpowder testers and signal mortars, to salute harbour entrances, instruct naval manoeuvres, celebrations and other kind of noise making. Many of these had a lip under the fire hole, to deposit the combustion powder, and also a wider base, to ensure their upright position.
It seems as the ultimate variation of these upright barrels was their use in stack cleaning.
Obviously this is a rough synopsis, made by a non specialist; there are experts in this forum much more able to put you in the correct picture.

Fernando

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... And a magnificent example of a pole hand cannon, courtesy of Michael (Matchlock), a great collector of these things ... and not only :cool:
Hope he doesnt get upset for me hijacking his picture.
Fernando

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Thank you.