POST MEDIEVAL CANNON

1750

A complete 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 cascabel button has a length of about 6.5mm. The base ring diameter is 8.6mm. Between the base ring and the first astragal, the vent field has a length of c. 4.6mm and the circular vent itself has a diameter of 1.3mm. This vent is sometimes referred to as a 'touch-hole'. The trunnions (length: 16.1mm) divide the first and second reinforce from the chase. The overall length of these latter reinforces is about 8.0mm. 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. 3.0mm. The trunnions sat in the top of the cheeks of the gun carriage and enabled the piece to be elevated. The chase (c. 8.8mm in length) is parallel throughout its length. There is a muzzle astragal, 6.1mm in diameter. The muzzle flares outwards and has a maximum diameter of 7.5mm. It has an internal diameter of 3.3mm.39.4 x 16.1 x 8.6mm. Weight: 6.69g.This toy cannon is generally corroded and has areas of a mid-green patina. 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.The terminology used in this description has been taken from Blackmore, H. L. 1976. 216. Blackmore, H. L. 1976. The Armouries of the Tower of London. Vol. 1, Ordnance, 216. London: HMSO.