POST MEDIEVAL TOY

1750

An incomplete post-Medieval 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 7.5m. The base ring diameter is 13.0mm. Between the base ring and the first astragal, the vent field has a length of c. 4.7mm and the circular vent itself has a diameter of c. 2.0mm. This vent is sometimes referred to as a 'touch-hole'. The trunnions which divided the first reinforce from the chase are missing but stubs remain. The trunnions sat in the top of the cheeks of the gun carriage and enabled the piece to be elevated. There is a muzzle astragal, 8.2mm in diameter. The muzzle flares outwards and has a maximum diameter of 8.7mm and the bore at the muzzle has a diameter of 6.4mm. The bore reaches the base ring. There is a dent adjacent to the muzzle astragal.This cannon is reddish brown and has flecks of a 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.Length: 70.4mm; diameter: 13.0mm. Weight: 20.45g.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.