Unknown Weapon

Battara · 15th June 2013, 07:10 PM

The second looks like a type of cannon, but what it the first one?

fernando · 15th June 2013, 07:20 PM

That's precisely the question

clockwork · 15th June 2013, 07:34 PM

the second is an chinese pole / hand cannon I believe there from the 15th thro 17 centuries. but dont much more than that.

fernando · 15th June 2013, 08:07 PM

That's a lot of years, Tony

RhysMichael · 15th June 2013, 08:26 PM

It will be interesting to see what it turns out to be

trenchwarfare · 15th June 2013, 10:10 PM

I'm thinking some kind of harpoon, or harpoon head. Maybe fired from a cannon? Looks to dangerous to be used as a hand held weapon. Would easily pinch your fingers off.

The pole cannon is cool, and looks legit. Lots of fakes coming out of China. All I've seen, are very heavily rusted.

Philip · 16th June 2013, 06:13 AM

The hand cannon is trying to look like an original specimen from the heyday of these weapons, 14th through early 17th cent. However, based on seeing published examples in various museums, handling others in private collections, and even owning a few, I can state with confidence that the appearance of this example is not anywhere near that of the diverse types of these weapons made in China, Vietnam, Korea, and even Japan. The proportions and shape are not right. One should also remember that the vast majority of Far Eastern examples are made of bronze, not iron. Another point is that the corrosion seen on this example is too uniform for something that has been rusting away for many centuries, possibly underground. It looks induced by an aggressive acid bath. The touch-hole is just too symmetrical for something that would likely be eroded by heat and explosive byproducts ejected during firing over a period of time.

15th June 2013, 08:26 PM	#5
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	It will be interesting to see what it turns out to be Last edited by RhysMichael; 15th June 2013 at 08:37 PM.

16th June 2013, 06:13 AM	#7
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	doesn't look kosher to me The hand cannon is trying to look like an original specimen from the heyday of these weapons, 14th through early 17th cent. However, based on seeing published examples in various museums, handling others in private collections, and even owning a few, I can state with confidence that the appearance of this example is not anywhere near that of the diverse types of these weapons made in China, Vietnam, Korea, and even Japan. The proportions and shape are not right. One should also remember that the vast majority of Far Eastern examples are made of bronze, not iron. Another point is that the corrosion seen on this example is too uniform for something that has been rusting away for many centuries, possibly underground. It looks induced by an aggressive acid bath. The touch-hole is just too symmetrical for something that would likely be eroded by heat and explosive byproducts ejected during firing over a period of time.

15th June 2013, 07:10 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	The second looks like a type of cannon, but what it the first one?

15th June 2013, 07:20 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	That's precisely the question

15th June 2013, 07:34 PM	#3
clockwork Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 96	the second is an chinese pole / hand cannon I believe there from the 15th thro 17 centuries. but dont much more than that.

15th June 2013, 08:07 PM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	That's a lot of years, Tony

15th June 2013, 10:10 PM	#6
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	I'm thinking some kind of harpoon, or harpoon head. Maybe fired from a cannon? Looks to dangerous to be used as a hand held weapon. Would easily pinch your fingers off. The pole cannon is cool, and looks legit. Lots of fakes coming out of China. All I've seen, are very heavily rusted.