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Genuine 1600’s Bronze European Signal Cannon
Guns International #: 102278243 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Cannons - Antique and Replica -
Seller's Information
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Seller: tolinv
Member Since: 9/21/15
First Name: Bill
State: Ohio
Country: United States
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: USPS Money Order
Description:
SOLD. SOLD. This is the real thing. This is not a model cannon, nor was it made on a lathe in a machine shop. This is a black powder signal cannon, likely made for a Dutch or other European ship, dating from the late 1600's, and was made with the true techniques that are only found in cannons made prior to 1725 or so. Regardless of size, when a bronze cannon of the early period was made first a mold was made of finely granulated sand the size and shape of the intended cannon, with a round rod the size of the intended bore, made of a fireproof material placed in position of the bore. The only way to hold that rod in place so that bronze could be poured around it was to place small pieces of iron in the mold where the wall of the cannon would be so as to hold the round rod of non-burnable material in place so the bronze could be poured evenly around it. These small pieces of iron didn't melt at the lower temperature of bronze so they were able to hold the rod steady while the bronze cooled and the round rod could eventually be removed. These small pieces of iron, called 'cruzettas', which in this cannon are about the thickness of the lead in a wooden pencil, remained in the wall of the bronze cannon barrel for life. This was the only construction technique for bronze cannon of the 17th century and older, and is the only way to be assured that a cannon is older than 1725 or so when cannon were cast and the bore then drilled. These cruzettas are small and not very noticeable. The only way to locate them is by slowly moving a magnet over the surface of the barrel until the magnetic pull can be felt. This cannon has three cruzettas which have been marked with chalk so they can be more readily located. Bronze barrels that are genuinely three hundred or more years of age all have cruzettas. Few Collector’s have a barrel actually of this age as they are extremely scarce. This cannon is just under 14" long and has a bore of about .75. In original usage this cannon had a 7 or 8 inch long spike on the bottom of the yoke which would be placed in a hole on the rail of a ship, usually toward the bow of the ship where the wind would carry the sound and more importantly, the visible white smoke all across the deck. That spike was replaced a hundred or more years ago with the pointed steel peg it now has. In more recent times a small painted iron mounting has been made for purpose of display. The cannon weighs several pounds and is approximately 14" long. The vast majority of cannon collectors do not have a 17th century cannon, and have never even actually seen one except in a major maritime museum. This is a collector's piece and is sold for display purposes only. Please email any questions.
SOLD
Antique: Yes