POST MEDIEVAL TOY

1750

An almost 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 9.2m. The base ring diameter is 8.9mm. Between the base ring and the first astragal, the vent field has a length of c. 3.7mm and the circular vent itself has a diameter of 1.4mm. This vent is sometimes referred to as a 'touch-hole'. The trunnions (length: 18.0mm) 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. 2.5mm. 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, 6.6mm in diameter. The muzzle flares outwards and has a maximum diameter of 7.9mm. It has an internal diameter of 4.6mm.44.3 x 18.0 x 6.6mm. Weight: 7.82g.This toy cannon has tiny flecks of green patina and the surface colour is mainly drab reddish brown. There is a small hole near the muzzle.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.