Keeping on the path to hand cannons.

[Matchlock]

Originally Posted by fernando

Say Michael, after these lousy pictures, is that age attribution (XVIII century) a final diagnosis? .

Fernando.

O sim, mi amigo,

18th/19th century, especially as they are fundido.

Btw, very good images!

The areas around the touch holes of both items seem to have been altered within their working life: while a former pan like moulding seems to have been removed from the larger one, the touch hole of the smaller barrel seems to have been burnt out and consequently reduced in diameter.

If I were you I would fill them up with powder, put a wooden plug in the muzzles and bang away using a slow match to make the sound ring out all over Portugal - if they have not burst so far they certainly won't now! Just imagine them jumping from the recoil!

Best,
Michael