A tiny cannon for ID and coments

[Rick]

As long as there has been gunpowder people have used it for both celebration and war ; d'you suppose this could be a signal cannon of some sort ?
Imagine a reusable firecracker .

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Rick

... d'you suppose this could be a signal cannon of some sort ?

I would think so, Rick. I slightly remember reading somewhere that they used small cannons in fleet ships, to signal one another, like for transmiting or comanding tatic maneuvres ( as also for saluting ?), but i am not certain of the correct story and also if this is such specific thing. It appears they (mine)function/s on the upright position.
Let's see what David comes up with. The specimen he showed seems to be a similar implement ... providing, for a start, its dimensions are also reduced.
It certainly is also very old; we're talking centuries here, right ?
Fernando

[Rick]

Yes, centuries .

[Atlantia]

Hi again fernando,


Your cannon would have been in a long wooden handle.

Look at the swiss example about half way down this page:
hand cannon

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Hi again fernando,


Your cannon would have been in a long wooden handle.

Look at the swiss example about half way down this page:

I don't think so Gene. Those are more primitive
Fernando

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by fernando

I don't think so Gene. Those are more primitive
Fernando

I'd have said yours was of this lineage?

[M ELEY]

I'm pretty sure its a signal cannon, as discussed. The time period mentioned seems right. Even some of the miniature cannons on carriages with wheels were signal devices for ships, as already pointed out. Nice piece, though!

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by fernando

I would think so, Rick. I slightly remember reading somewhere that they used small cannons in fleet ships, to signal one another, like for transmiting or comanding tatic maneuvres ( as also for saluting ?), but i am not certain of the correct story and also if this is such specific thing. It appears they (mine)function/s on the upright position.
Let's see what David comes up with. The specimen he showed seems to be a similar implement ... providing, for a start, its dimensions are also reduced.
It certainly is also very old; we're talking centuries here, right ?
Fernando

I thought of a signalling cannon, but its too basic IMHO.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

I thought of a signalling cannon, but its too basic IMHO.

What do you mean, too basic ? Sure these things were basic, right ?
But let's see what knowledged members tell us about it ... plus what David will reveal about that picture he posted
Fernando