POST MEDIEVAL TOY

1650

An incomplete copper alloy toy miniature cannon of post-medieval date. The toy is comprised of a circular barrel, or cascable, which tapers in diameter from the bulbous knop, or cascable button, at one end to the muzzle at the other. The remains of two trunnions or basal lugs for attachment to a block or stock project midway along the barrel though only worn stubs now remain. The cannon has been bent two-thirds of the way along its length.The metal has a mid-greyish-white patina and is very worn. The cannon is 36.8mm long, 7.8mm in diameter tapering to 4.1mm and weighs 10.6g.Numerous similar examples of toy lead cannons, some of which are working models, have been recorded on The Portable Antiquities Scheme database. See: SUR-6F894E, IOW-30A85B and NMS-71BF54.