Guns International #: 101767981
Seller's Inventory #: AE0618

Category - Accessories - American - Collectibles - Western

Category
Accessories - American
Collectibles - Western

Hand Cannon Salute/Powder Tester

Description:
1770-83 American Revolutionary War Era. Bronze hand cannon / powder tester from a ship's deck in the form of a thick ribbed cylinder with wide socket. This authentic Revolutionary War Era cast iron hand cannon is in very solid condition. These were used for Salute Cannons and/or as a powder tester. A hand cannon is an early form of firearm. It is possibly the oldest type of portable firearm, as well as the simplest type of early firearm, as most examples require direct of manual external ignition through a touch hole without any form of firing mechanism. It may also be considered a forerunner of the handgun. 3" wide x 3 1/2" high. The top is 2.5" diameter and its base 3.25" diameter. It is a solid iron that is very heavy (about 8 lbs). It is round in design and is ignited by a small touch hole near the base. There is a plugged touch hole to the right and above the actual hole. The plugged hole was probably too high to reliably ignite the powder. This example has an overall even natural rich metal patina. A rarely encountered, original Revolutionary War Era Hand-Cannon. Ex. Arte Primitibo Gallery, NY.


Price: $1,500.00