🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Cannon Model

[jhamner]

I kinda know what this is, but need some help nailing down the age, use, etc, Also. it's obvious that I am missing the carriage and wheels. If anyone has pictures, drawings, sketches, etc. of what these should look like for this particular model, I would LOVE to know! Thanks, Jack.

 

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[jhamner]

Nice piece! I have a few small cannons also but not like that. I would signal canon?

Thanks Tony. would love to see pics.

 

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[jhamner]

Interesting little cannon. I have a collection of nearly fifty of them, but have not seen this exact one. This is a "shooter", it was made to be loaded with black powder and a paper wad and fired for noise. These were popular from the 1880s-1910s, some collectors call them "fourth of July" cannons since they made a noise like a loud firecracker and were often used to make noise on the fourth. Shoot at your own risk!! Do not use a ball! Most were all cast iron, I like the brass barrel on cast iron carriages like yours.

Thanks gunsil....I doubt I will ever load it up-too many scars on this body already!

 

[jhamner]

Great looking cannon.
There are types that look close to yours in images.

Thank you pepperj--I will try and check out some examples.

 

[jhamner]

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Here are some of my small cannons, there are more spread around the house.

Benny, this is too small for what are referred to as signal cannons and pretty small for saluting the colors. I have been around many yacht clubs, they usually use a 10 gauge cannon that take center fire shells. They make a much larger boom than the OP cannon.

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Fantastic collection, gunsil! I never saw so many beautiful pieces together at one time!

 

[jhamner]

Victorian child: "Mother may I have a miniature black powder cannon for Christmas?"

Victorian mother: "Of course son."

It'l put your eye out!

 

[jhamner]

Question. Are you located near water? Could be a cannon used for colors. I used to fire one everyday with the raising and lowering of the flag.

Not really--Central Virginia--but not sure where the piece originally came from.

 

[jhamner]

I agree with gunsil. Ltae 19th century noise maker. It never had wheels. Looks like it's at least nearly complete. Really nice too!

I was trying to figure out where the wheels attached! How was it mounted-0n a piece of wood? Any idea what piece(s)) it may be missing? Thanks.

 

[jhamner]

I think my parents had one. Is it mounted to the wood for show?

Thanks for your input!

 

[ARC]

Ok reviewed Iron pics... still same opinion thus far... BUT... heh

There is a view,, actually 2 views you missed which were the views i most wanted.

Top of the mounting areas. (iron flat spot where screws went through... top and bottom in detail,

There are some marks / striations i want to see.

 

[jhamner]

Some research is definitely due... but... from past experiences it will more than likely be very hard to pin down.
Unless a comparable example exists.

PS... (To OP)...
You have a super cool... and IMO rare item... at this point anyway... and yes i can be wrong... have been before... wont be the first or last.

Sounds good to me!

 

[jhamner]

Ok reviewed Iron pics... still same opinion thus far... BUT... heh

There is a view,, actually 2 views perhaps you missed which were the views i most wanted.

Top of the mounting areas.

There are some marks / striations i want to see.

I will try and take them now--where the cannon rests in the iron, or the tops of the two iron pieces that rest on one another?

 

[jhamner]

....

o.k. will try and get these up soon!

 

[ARC]

I will try and take them now--where the cannon rests in the iron, or the tops of the two iron pieces that rest on one another?

correct

 

[jhamner]

o.k. will try and get these up soon!

Hope these are what you need--if not let me know

 

[jhamner]

oops I forgot the bottoms-coming soon!

 

[pepperj]

I kinda know what this is, but need some help nailing down the age, use, etc, Also. it's obvious that I am missing the carriage and wheels. If anyone has pictures, drawings, sketches, etc. of what these should look like for this particular model, I would LOVE to know! Thanks, Jack.View attachment 2062579View attachment 2062580View attachment 2062581

Here are some of my small cannons, there are more spread around the house.

Benny, this is too small for what are referred to as signal cannons and pretty small for saluting the colors. I have been around many yacht clubs, they usually use a 10 gauge cannon that take center fire shells. They make a much larger boom than the OP cannon.

View attachment 2062656View attachment 2062657View attachment 2062658

Well gentlemen I am impressed by the cannon and cannons.

The old saying applies

"You tell the men from the boys by the size of their toys "😂

 

[ARC]

Just saw them... still in same thinking.

Must sign off now... tomorrow i will check some things.

Until then... Great piece DO NOT CLEAN IT..

 

[Smithbrown]

Brass, 19th century, machine-made. There is a machine-made hole in the back of the cascable- the little button on the rear of the cannon where I suspect it was held in a lathe. The general design also suggests late date.

 

[ARC]

Let me just start with...

1. Of course a lathe was used... A boring lathe was used to make cannon... and just to be more precise... later years a turret lathe...And of course there is a mark from this... but its from the chaplet... for this is common on these.
Especially during this period which IMO would date to Revolutionary War Era. (1775 ish)
They were not called "lathes" but "boring" machines... and the marks you are referring to are common to all good old cannon....they are called chaplet marks.

2. As far as design... i am not sure to which "part" or "design" you are referring to?
This particular design is not a "design of any time" or "period".
There are rarely 2 of the same to even have a comp as to / in reference to "design".

I can show you examples of this design on very similar toy cannon that have been recovered from The River Thames.
So the design placing it in "time" is moot.

 

[ARC]

Also... we must also keep in context... we are looking at (most often and many times) a type of childs toy.
Most if not all... were NOT actual cannon that fired shot... and NEVER did they fire actual cannon shot.
Even retired signal cannon became retrofitted into novelty children's toys.