Lantaka

MABAGANI · 21st December 2004, 04:00 PM

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 · 21st December 2004, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MABAGANI

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

Good info. What is the okir motif?

MABAGANI · 22nd December 2004, 01:47 AM

If you look at your original pics of the lantaka there are okir designs inside the triangle patterns around sections of the cannon. This Islamic inspired art is found on Moro hilts, blades, armor, textile, architecture, etc...

Battara · 22nd December 2004, 05:42 AM

The okir designs are the floral designs on your cannon. On my lantaka you can see the Moro floral designs, especially on the top toward the back:

Philip · 29th December 2004, 08:53 AM

Earlier on this thread was some discussion of firing a lantaka in the spirit of celebratory exhuberance. My suggestion is.... DON'T !!!

Although I would agree with the person who pointed out the tendency of cast-iron barrels to weaken with age and the stress of repeated firing, we mustn't forget that some cupric alloys (brass and bronze fall into this category) can be subject to similar deterioration. Old metal can crystallize. These alloys tend to "work-harden", in other words, repeated impact stress (whether by hammering or from repeated explosions) reduces the ductility of the metal, making it more brittle.

Furthermore, these old cannons were made in an age and in a technological milieu in which the composition of the alloy and the quality of the casting could not be monitored as precisely as it came to be in industrialized societies.

From practical experience, let me share the unfortunate experience of a fellow I knew in Hawaii about 30 years ago. He had an outstanding collection of lantakas. Liked to fire a couple of them (blank charges of black powder or Pyrodex) on New Year's eve. He was very conservative in loading these, just enough powder to make a bang, and being careful to seat the wad right against the charge with no air space. One year, his best lantaka blew up, it fractured into three pieces, one of which flew onto the roof of the house. He never expected that one to fail, it appeared to be the most skilfully cast one he had ever seen, no pits or pores in the metal, everything looking like "quality". Needless to say, there were no more salvoes the next year.

Battara · 1st January 2005, 04:49 AM

Phillip is on the money. The worst thing you could do is fire the thing and risk your safety and a piece of artwork like this! Folks have suggested I do the same, but I don't want to blow apart my modest piece and send myself to the hospital I where I work all a the same time!

It has lived it's life, let it rest now as an old witness to history.

mmontoro · 4th January 2005, 12:58 AM

Check the "Hidden Room" thread for an image of a double-barreled lantaka and other neat stuff.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=137

22nd December 2004, 05:42 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	The okir designs are the floral designs on your cannon. On my lantaka you can see the Moro floral designs, especially on the top toward the back: Attached Images

29th December 2004, 08:53 AM	#5
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	shooting these is definitely NOT recommended! Earlier on this thread was some discussion of firing a lantaka in the spirit of celebratory exhuberance. My suggestion is.... DON'T !!! Although I would agree with the person who pointed out the tendency of cast-iron barrels to weaken with age and the stress of repeated firing, we mustn't forget that some cupric alloys (brass and bronze fall into this category) can be subject to similar deterioration. Old metal can crystallize. These alloys tend to "work-harden", in other words, repeated impact stress (whether by hammering or from repeated explosions) reduces the ductility of the metal, making it more brittle. Furthermore, these old cannons were made in an age and in a technological milieu in which the composition of the alloy and the quality of the casting could not be monitored as precisely as it came to be in industrialized societies. From practical experience, let me share the unfortunate experience of a fellow I knew in Hawaii about 30 years ago. He had an outstanding collection of lantakas. Liked to fire a couple of them (blank charges of black powder or Pyrodex) on New Year's eve. He was very conservative in loading these, just enough powder to make a bang, and being careful to seat the wad right against the charge with no air space. One year, his best lantaka blew up, it fractured into three pieces, one of which flew onto the roof of the house. He never expected that one to fail, it appeared to be the most skilfully cast one he had ever seen, no pits or pores in the metal, everything looking like "quality". Needless to say, there were no more salvoes the next year.

4th January 2005, 12:58 AM	#7
mmontoro Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 91	Double-Bbl. lantaka Check the "Hidden Room" thread for an image of a double-barreled lantaka and other neat stuff. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=137

21st December 2004, 04:00 PM	#1
MABAGANI Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 221	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.

22nd December 2004, 01:47 AM	#3
MABAGANI Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 221	If you look at your original pics of the lantaka there are okir designs inside the triangle patterns around sections of the cannon. This Islamic inspired art is found on Moro hilts, blades, armor, textile, architecture, etc...

1st January 2005, 04:49 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Phillip is on the money. The worst thing you could do is fire the thing and risk your safety and a piece of artwork like this! Folks have suggested I do the same, but I don't want to blow apart my modest piece and send myself to the hospital I where I work all a the same time! It has lived it's life, let it rest now as an old witness to history.