POST MEDIEVAL TOY

1750

A complete post-Medieval to Modern cast copper-alloy "toy" cannon of probable eighteenth to nineteenth century date (c. 1750-c. 1850). The toy is described as if it were a functioning cannon.The cascable (or cascabel) and the cascable button has a length of about 8.65m. The base ring diameter is 7.7mm. Between the base ring and the first astragal, the vent field has a length of c. 8mm and the circular vent itself has a diameter of 1.9mm. This vent is sometimes referred to as a 'touch-hole'. The trunnions (length: 15.35mm) divide the first and second reinforce from the chase. The trunnions are set about mid-way down the side of the barrel. They are circular in cross-section and have a diameter of c. 2.35mm. The trunnions sat in the top of the cheeks of the gun carriage and enabled the piece to be elevated. The muzzle flares outwards and is slightly misshapen and has a maximum diameter of 4.25mm. Inside the muzzle is a piece of cotton.The cannon is 42.8mm in length, 15.35 in width, 7.9mm in diameter and weighs 6.0 grams.The cannon is probably a working model and miniature cannon such as this example may not have been toys for children but may have been used by adults.