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					Originally Posted by BBJW
					
				 I'd say this is probably a signal cannon.  These small ones were often used to make noise to alert other ships in the dark or fog etc.
 bbjw
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 Now you caught me, BBJW 
 
 
I feel a bit dizzy with this sudden turning back to square one 

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You mean you don't find consistence in the aproach made by the guy from Traditional Muzzleloading Forum ? (my post #24). Also the example  shown by Gene in post #12, plus the fact that this particularly cilindrical barrel doesn't have a wider base to sustain it upright, as usually seen in signal cannons (thunder mugs and so), made me (and others) think this was a hand cannon (or mortar).
But of course this issue is still open for further coments and new evidence.
Could you BBJW, extend a bit your point of view ? Are you familiar with some of these things?
Thanks a lot.
Fernando