Hand Cannons, Mortars, or Junk?

Kmaddock · 24th October 2022, 09:17 AM

Hi
I love these items, can I ask did they all come out of one collection and is there a back ground story?
WRT the one 2 I have indicated below I think the hole is too large a diameter to be touch hole, I feel the blast would come out the side just as much as out the front of the "barrel" but great items all the same.

Regards

Ken

fernando · 24th October 2022, 10:16 AM

Maybe an optical ilusion. What they have is a pan under the hole to 'deposit' the priming gunpowder. A different type of ignition.

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drac2k · 24th October 2022, 03:56 PM

So there would be two ignitions; the primer in the pan and the actual charge? Was this done to ensure a more controlled discharge as opposed to a fuse or lighting up the actual touchhole?
Yes, these items came in 2 lots from the same auction where there were a number of other cannon-type items for sale; they went very reasonably(or so I thought so), and so I did what I usually do when I don't know anything about the item(s), ..... I bought them. Instant collection, lol.

fernando · 24th October 2022, 07:25 PM

There is only one ignition, and apparently more than one way to ignite the powder charge inside the barrel. It may be by lighting a fuse that is introduced inside the touch hole; or pouring gunpowder in the pan and light it, the sparks entering the touch hole.
That is a rough way to put it. Surely more knowledged members can tell you better. Or you can learn the basics in the Internet

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drac2k · 24th October 2022, 08:20 PM

Thanks for my ongoing education.

24th October 2022, 09:17 AM	#1
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Hi I love these items, can I ask did they all come out of one collection and is there a back ground story? WRT the one 2 I have indicated below I think the hole is too large a diameter to be touch hole, I feel the blast would come out the side just as much as out the front of the "barrel" but great items all the same. Regards Ken Attached Images

24th October 2022, 10:16 AM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Maybe an optical ilusion. What they have is a pan under the hole to 'deposit' the priming gunpowder. A different type of ignition. . Attached Images

24th October 2022, 03:56 PM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	So there would be two ignitions; the primer in the pan and the actual charge? Was this done to ensure a more controlled discharge as opposed to a fuse or lighting up the actual touchhole? Yes, these items came in 2 lots from the same auction where there were a number of other cannon-type items for sale; they went very reasonably(or so I thought so), and so I did what I usually do when I don't know anything about the item(s), ..... I bought them. Instant collection, lol.

24th October 2022, 07:25 PM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	There is only one ignition, and apparently more than one way to ignite the powder charge inside the barrel. It may be by lighting a fuse that is introduced inside the touch hole; or pouring gunpowder in the pan and light it, the sparks entering the touch hole. That is a rough way to put it. Surely more knowledged members can tell you better. Or you can learn the basics in the Internet .

24th October 2022, 08:20 PM	#5
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	Thanks for my ongoing education.