Dating of chambers for breechloading cannon

Jim McDougall · 13th February 2016, 05:52 PM

Fernando, thank for adding this excellent example!!
While I have little knowledge on this particular subject, it is fascinating to see what these actually looked like!!

Marcus den toom · 14th February 2016, 09:04 AM

Very little time nowadays to do some sound research on this subject, but Michl did extîensive work on this in his breech loading thread.

Dating these breech blocks has mostly to do with the same stylistic criteria as with normal cannons i think. Also the way they where made, wrought or cast? Cast blocks seem to appear at the 1480-1500. The handle on older specimens is also only fastened at the rear. And lastly the older breeches tapers at the mouth and later versions seem to have a socket for sealing it better into the barrel.

No good evidence to back up any of this but it seems logical to me when looking at the pictures in the breech loading thread.

13th February 2016, 05:52 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,285	Fernando, thank for adding this excellent example!! While I have little knowledge on this particular subject, it is fascinating to see what these actually looked like!!

14th February 2016, 09:04 AM	#2
Marcus den toom Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 535	Very little time nowadays to do some sound research on this subject, but Michl did extîensive work on this in his breech loading thread. Dating these breech blocks has mostly to do with the same stylistic criteria as with normal cannons i think. Also the way they where made, wrought or cast? Cast blocks seem to appear at the 1480-1500. The handle on older specimens is also only fastened at the rear. And lastly the older breeches tapers at the mouth and later versions seem to have a socket for sealing it better into the barrel. No good evidence to back up any of this but it seems logical to me when looking at the pictures in the breech loading thread.