A cannon or a mortar ... old or very old

fernando · 13th August 2010, 03:38 PM

What do i do with this?
Found in the basement of a local XIII century fortified tower.
It isn't necessarily part of the tower belongings, as it doesn't have to be such an early piece.
It was kept in a little niche on the wall, although its excavated condition shows that it must have been on the ground for several years.
Certainly rought iron ... not cast.
The height measures 14 cms; the bore about 55 mm. The "touch hole" is rather large, with its approx. 15 mm.
I gave it a couple (thin) wire brushings but the rust didn't move much.
Should i be more radical, like search for a sand blasting?
Any opinions ... Miguel ... guys ?

.

Matchlock · 13th August 2010, 10:25 PM

Hi 'Nando,

Another nice piece for your cannon collection!

I would date this littly cannon guy to the second half of the 15th century, the large touch hole addmittedly being the only criterion.

You know my opinion, amigo: please do not change anything about the surface as you say it's stable and not losing material.

I wouldn't even apply olive oil because this would blacken all the charming little places of brown and yellow discoloring that denote its great age as well as a certain period of time spent underground.

Originally this littly guy, too, may have been part of some multibarrel cannon construction of which I posted several samples before.

Congratulations and best wishes,
Miguel

M ELEY · 15th August 2010, 03:45 AM

Fernando "The Cannon-Man"... has a nice ring to it.

I must come visit your country sometime, my friend. Between what you've found in your local area and dug up from the ground, I'm green with envy. Congrats!!!

Philip · 15th August 2010, 07:39 AM

Fernando,
It's amazing the number of hand-cannons being discovered in Portugal, but the famed snapping match- or tinder-lock brought to the Far East during the Age of Discoveries is such a rarity -- like hen's teeth or boar's udders, as they say.

Spiridonov · 15th August 2010, 09:21 AM

touch hole is too wide. what is the sense of this?

Matchlock · 15th August 2010, 08:59 PM

Alexander,

As I tried to explain in former threads, we do not know anything for certain about the fact that large touch holes were characteristic of the period between ca. 1470 and 1500. I also pointed out that doubtlessly a considerable loss of gas and pressure must have been the result.

It seems not to make sense but still it is a fact. On the other hand we may not exclude the possibility that excessive use may have led to burnt out touch holes.

Best,
Michael

fernando · 15th August 2010, 10:54 PM

Thank you Mark

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

Fernando "The Cannon-Man"... has a nice ring to it.

I must come visit your country sometime, my friend. Between what you've found in your local area and dug up from the ground, I'm green with envy. Congrats!!!

Yes, come over.
You ain't seen nothing yet

fernando · 15th August 2010, 10:57 PM

Hi dear Philip,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philip

... the famed snapping match- or tinder-lock brought to the Far East during the Age of Discoveries is such a rarity -- like hen's teeth or boar's udders, as they say.

He, he, he.

Just let me know when you find one ... if you haven't yet

.

fernando · 15th August 2010, 11:01 PM

Miguel, my friend

Danksche

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matchlock

Hi 'Nando,
Another nice piece for your cannon collection!

I would date this littly cannon guy to the second half of the 15th century, the large touch hole addmittedly being the only criterion.
You know my opinion, amigo: please do not change anything about the surface as you say it's stable and not losing material.
I wouldn't even apply olive oil because this would blacken all the charming little places of brown and yellow discoloring that denote its great age as well as a certain period of time spent underground.
Originally this littly guy, too, may have been part of some multibarrel cannon construction of which I posted several samples before.
Congratulations and best wishes,
Miguel

All noted and recorded

.

'Nando

Norman McCormick · 17th August 2010, 08:53 PM

Hi Fernando,
Your neck of the woods seems to be positively overrun with hand cannons.

You must be getting close to a Royal Salute by now!!! Looking forward to your next amazing find.
Kind Regards,
Norman.

fernando · 18th August 2010, 12:01 AM

Thenk ye Norman

13th August 2010, 03:38 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	A cannon or a mortar ... old or very old What do i do with this? Found in the basement of a local XIII century fortified tower. It isn't necessarily part of the tower belongings, as it doesn't have to be such an early piece. It was kept in a little niche on the wall, although its excavated condition shows that it must have been on the ground for several years. Certainly rought iron ... not cast. The height measures 14 cms; the bore about 55 mm. The "touch hole" is rather large, with its approx. 15 mm. I gave it a couple (thin) wire brushings but the rust didn't move much. Should i be more radical, like search for a sand blasting? Any opinions ... Miguel ... guys ? . Attached Images

13th August 2010, 10:25 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi 'Nando, Another nice piece for your cannon collection! I would date this littly cannon guy to the second half of the 15th century, the large touch hole addmittedly being the only criterion. You know my opinion, amigo: please do not change anything about the surface as you say it's stable and not losing material. I wouldn't even apply olive oil because this would blacken all the charming little places of brown and yellow discoloring that denote its great age as well as a certain period of time spent underground. Originally this littly guy, too, may have been part of some multibarrel cannon construction of which I posted several samples before. Congratulations and best wishes, Miguel

15th August 2010, 03:45 AM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,097	Fernando "The Cannon-Man"... has a nice ring to it. I must come visit your country sometime, my friend. Between what you've found in your local area and dug up from the ground, I'm green with envy. Congrats!!!

15th August 2010, 07:39 AM	#4
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	Fernando, It's amazing the number of hand-cannons being discovered in Portugal, but the famed snapping match- or tinder-lock brought to the Far East during the Age of Discoveries is such a rarity -- like hen's teeth or boar's udders, as they say.

15th August 2010, 09:21 AM	#5
Spiridonov Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Russia, Leningrad Posts: 355	touch hole is too wide. what is the sense of this?

15th August 2010, 08:59 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Alexander, As I tried to explain in former threads, we do not know anything for certain about the fact that large touch holes were characteristic of the period between ca. 1470 and 1500. I also pointed out that doubtlessly a considerable loss of gas and pressure must have been the result. It seems not to make sense but still it is a fact. On the other hand we may not exclude the possibility that excessive use may have led to burnt out touch holes. Best, Michael

17th August 2010, 08:53 PM	#10
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,597	Hi Fernando, Your neck of the woods seems to be positively overrun with hand cannons. You must be getting close to a Royal Salute by now!!! Looking forward to your next amazing find. Kind Regards, Norman.

18th August 2010, 12:01 AM	#11
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thenk ye Norman