A medieval hand cannon ... sturdy as can be

fernando · 18th February 2015, 03:58 PM

I have a dozen of these things in my collection; but never one so thich and heavy as this one.
With 29 cms length, this is not only the longest one i found but, with its rather thick walls (32 m/m muzzle with 9,5 cms diameter and 9 cms. tickness at bottom), it has a 'modest' 15 Kgs. weight.
With an octogonal section, we may place it as XIV century gothic style ... an assertion subject to correction.
Its forging is quite a crude one, with a rather irregular bottom; can't even stand upright.
I don't know what to say about that peripherical welding cord around the touchole. It may have been a way to prevent the ignition powder charge from spreading all over, assuming a very worn touchole area but, when this addition took place, i don't know. Maybe you guys have a knowledge on the welding (soldering) area an wish to comment about it.

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18th February 2015, 03:58 PM	#1
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	A medieval hand cannon ... sturdy as can be I have a dozen of these things in my collection; but never one so thich and heavy as this one. With 29 cms length, this is not only the longest one i found but, with its rather thick walls (32 m/m muzzle with 9,5 cms diameter and 9 cms. tickness at bottom), it has a 'modest' 15 Kgs. weight. With an octogonal section, we may place it as XIV century gothic style ... an assertion subject to correction. Its forging is quite a crude one, with a rather irregular bottom; can't even stand upright. I don't know what to say about that peripherical welding cord around the touchole. It may have been a way to prevent the ignition powder charge from spreading all over, assuming a very worn touchole area but, when this addition took place, i don't know. Maybe you guys have a knowledge on the welding (soldering) area an wish to comment about it. . Attached Images