Lantaka

[Naga Basuki]

The Seller claimed this is a Spanish Lantaka cannon. Bronze, porbably cast in Borneo in the early 1700s. It is 55" long and weighs about 180 pounds. I have placed a Moro spear in order to qualify it in an edged weapons forum. <grin>

Your comments please...

[MABAGANI]

Nice Budjak...
Now can we see close ups of the swivel mount without the stand, torch hole and rear?
Without close examination, it looks like the rear was cut off.

[John]

I'd speculate that this Lantaka was probably made in Brunei. Items as such were known to have been made there and although I've seen similar items (at least I think so) as such, I can't be sure about this piece due to my lack of close attention given to these items.

[Battara]

Based on the artwork I have seen so far, I would not have any problems placing it from Borneo, even possibly from the Sulu regions of the Philippines. What muddies the waters a little (every pun intended ) is the fact that Moros inhabited the region and did not consider themselves Bornean or Filipino in division. A very nice piece and congratulations (envy, envy, grumble, grumble...).

By the way, love the Moro spear too.

[Federico]

For a moment I thought you were gonna fire the spear out of the cannon. Beautiful stuff. Are you planning on firing it? I can only imagine what the neighbors would say, then again all my neighbors think me strange for trimming my bushes with what to them are giant knives.

[Naga Basuki]

Originally Posted by Federico

For a moment I thought you were gonna fire the spear out of the cannon. Beautiful stuff. Are you planning on firing it? I can only imagine what the neighbors would say, then again all my neighbors think me strange for trimming my bushes with what to them are giant knives.

Kinda looks like a Lantaka Harpoon Gun! But no, keeping the Budiak!

Am thinking about firing one of the others. But there seems to be a restrictive new gov't reg on black powder. Looking into getting some Pyrodex (FG or coarse cannon grade).

I live in downtown Atlanta in a converted warehouse with neighbors on three sides even though I have a bit of land around me, however on the fourth side, nobody can see, but they can sure hear. And there is a lot of smoke even from Pyrodex.

Waiting until New Years. Atlanta goes nuts with fireworks and I may set one off, but probably not this Spanish Cannon pictured, I suspect an old repair to the barrell.

I have another Lantaka that is very sturdy. Certainly made for fighting. A "Spiral" model that is bigger and heavier, but has a small bore. Should easily stand the stress. The Spiral is on the outside, all Lantakas are smoothbore.

But Cannon stress is always a question and tragic accidents have occurred.

http://www.ohsu.edu/croet/face/reports/2003-20-01.pdf

Cast Iron cannon are much more likely to explode. One expert told me that ALL cast iron cannons would one day explode as the metal fatigued. The big difference in bronze and cast iron is that bronze ruptures while cast iron turns into deadly shrapnel.

A problem with early cannoneers was that they were always trying for more range, bigger charges. However with a cast iron cannon crew the amount that was too much was usually unknown because when too much was used, the cannon exploded and took the crew with it! There were also diffrences in black powder composition and casting. Dangerous business.

I would use a small charge and no projectile, but I'll take some pictures!