Lantaka

[Federico]

For a moment I thought you were gonna fire the spear out of the cannon. Beautiful stuff. Are you planning on firing it? I can only imagine what the neighbors would say, then again all my neighbors think me strange for trimming my bushes with what to them are giant knives.

[Naga Basuki]

Originally Posted by Federico

For a moment I thought you were gonna fire the spear out of the cannon. Beautiful stuff. Are you planning on firing it? I can only imagine what the neighbors would say, then again all my neighbors think me strange for trimming my bushes with what to them are giant knives.

Kinda looks like a Lantaka Harpoon Gun! But no, keeping the Budiak!

Am thinking about firing one of the others. But there seems to be a restrictive new gov't reg on black powder. Looking into getting some Pyrodex (FG or coarse cannon grade).

I live in downtown Atlanta in a converted warehouse with neighbors on three sides even though I have a bit of land around me, however on the fourth side, nobody can see, but they can sure hear. And there is a lot of smoke even from Pyrodex.

Waiting until New Years. Atlanta goes nuts with fireworks and I may set one off, but probably not this Spanish Cannon pictured, I suspect an old repair to the barrell.

I have another Lantaka that is very sturdy. Certainly made for fighting. A "Spiral" model that is bigger and heavier, but has a small bore. Should easily stand the stress. The Spiral is on the outside, all Lantakas are smoothbore.

But Cannon stress is always a question and tragic accidents have occurred.

http://www.ohsu.edu/croet/face/reports/2003-20-01.pdf

Cast Iron cannon are much more likely to explode. One expert told me that ALL cast iron cannons would one day explode as the metal fatigued. The big difference in bronze and cast iron is that bronze ruptures while cast iron turns into deadly shrapnel.

A problem with early cannoneers was that they were always trying for more range, bigger charges. However with a cast iron cannon crew the amount that was too much was usually unknown because when too much was used, the cannon exploded and took the crew with it! There were also diffrences in black powder composition and casting. Dangerous business.

I would use a small charge and no projectile, but I'll take some pictures!

[Rivkin]

Thanks for the article. The thing I don't understand is that they seem to blame the accident on the personal, "misfire procedures" etc.

If the cannon bursted apart, it's definitely not from a tiny amount of powder in a touchhole.

[MABAGANI]

Spanish cannons are plain in form, the lantaka with the swivel mounts are from Brunei/Sulu/Mindanao, etc., Moro Sultanates.

[zamboanga]

impressive lantaka naga basuki. i posted a lantaka on the old swap forum last november. it was a 47" inch lantaka and easily weighed over 50 kilos. found found off the coast of the city, it was sold to a local buyer for a give away price.

what i'm looking for are pictures of the dreaded double barreled lantaka which is said to be the precursor of the gatling gun as mentioned in this link:
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Temple/9845/tech.htm

old folks here still tell tales about this mean weapon but no seems to have a picture of it.

[jwpettipas]

Very nice pictures, a great looking set of peices. I wish I knew more so I could make an educated comment, but alas, I do not. However, if anybody can find pictures of that double barrelled lantaka as mentioned, I would also like to see pictures of that.

[Naga Basuki]

Originally Posted by MABAGANI

Spanish cannons are plain in form, the lantaka with the swivel mounts are from Brunei/Sulu/Mindanao, etc., Moro Sultanates.

Thank you for your input. From what I understand, most cannon were cast in Borneo due to the tin and copper deposits as well as the craftsmen. However different styles were cast there.

The Spanish style is more plain, but many nationalities used swivel mount guns.

I have much more elaborate cannons and will post some pictures soon

[MABAGANI]

If I recall, the Stone's book has lantaka of different sizes, also a double barreled type. I've seen lantaka without the swivel too. Natives have different names for the varying lengths, but lantaka has become the catchall. Sometimes you'll find writing and insignias cast into the cannons designating the origins. The likely sign of a Moro made arsenal is the okir motif.

[Naga Basuki]

Originally Posted by MABAGANI

The likely sign of a Moro made arsenal is the okir motif.

Good info. What is the okir motif?