A hand cannon ... or not ?

[Ed]

Good question. Given the bore to tube wall thickness, I (who have taken a chance or two ) would be pretty darn hesitant to fire that thing with a good charge of powder. Then again, I think that it would have been shot with shot rather than a single massive projectile.

OTOH, noisemakers typically have a little lip to hold a priming charge when they are upright.

What would you like it to be?

I think that it is well mounted and certainly could be used as a weapon. It certainly looks the part.

This really illustrates a core problem with our hobby.

In the years, say, from 1400 to 1600 how many weapons and elements of armor were produced? Think of all of the wars. Millions? Tens of millions?

OK. How many exist? 1% of the total made, less?

Therefore the argument for dismissing an object's authenticity is based on a sample of (presumed) real pieces that is in absolutely no way representative of anything other than itself.

That said, one has to be very careful in saying "I never saw one with (or without) thus and such".

I have no doubt that your piece is old, I have no doubt that it could be lethal. Though it's construction looks iffy to a man who shoots a modern S&W handgun, that is a relatively meaningless observation.

I think the correct answer to your question is that there is really no compelling evidence that it is anything other than what it purports to be.

Enjoy.


BTW ... I'd gladly put it in my own collection, for what that is worth.

[celtan]

These thingies sometimes were simply placed within a hole in the ground and fired like mortars...

Best

M

[fernando]

Thank you so much Ed, for the excelent observations. I must say i am very pleased with your precious input.
Yes, the absence of a lip on the fire hole also drove me to realize this piece wasn't a signal mortar or some sort of upright thunder mug ... together with the fact that it doesn't widen at the basis.
So a shooter (hand canon) it will be, given that no compelling evidence proves otherwise .
Thanks again
Fernando

[Ed]

I got to thinking and remembered that massive wall thickness is not always a sign of authenticity.



With a relatively slow burning powder and a relatively light (stone) ball it is rather amazing how thin barrel walls can be.

Of course, Megs powder chamber was rather thick.

Hey ... why not get some liquid latex and make a casting of the inside?

[fernando]

Well, you had them for all tastes

.

[Ed]

That the Artillery Museum?

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Ed

That the Artillery Museum?

Yes. Eventually it was called Artillery Museum till 1926 ... now called Military
Museu.

[katana]

Originally Posted by Ed

Hey ... why not get some liquid latex and make a casting of the inside?

That, would be an interesting 'experiment' ...I remember reading somewhere that some had a larger diameter chamber where the charge was situated ....this was to allow the explosive gasses to expand more rapidly which imparted a greater kinetic force to the projectile. It would make sense to me that minature 'mock-ups' would be used to test modifications .... I assume that the bore would be coated rather than filled (producing a 'plug') ...so that the hardened latex is easier to remove.

Fernando, as you already know I have always seen your cannon as a weapon ...it certainly looks the part fixed to the stock ...but there again ...some 'weapons' I have bought turned out to be gardening implements ...so what do I know

Kind Regards David

[fernando]

Hi David,

Originally Posted by katana

... some 'weapons' I have bought turned out to be gardening implements ...

What an amazing coincidence. I have come to know through a third party that, the guy who sold me this piece has bought it in a gardening articles shop that he visited by the road, not far from my place. Not knowing what the thing was, the shop keeper had it serving as a decoration item. .

All the best
Fernando

[fernando]

Originally Posted by celtan

These thingies sometimes were simply placed within a hole in the ground and fired like mortars...

Best

M

Hola Manolo

Which ones ... mine or Ed's ?

Fernando