✅ SOLVED Cast iron cannon identification

[Smallcannonhunter]

Hello,
Can anyone please identify the attached cannon. I have spent countless hours trying to find a similar one. It has 2 stars on each side of the barrel.
Thank you

 

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[DCMatt]

A size reference and some back story on the piece might be helpful.

 

[creskol]

I am pretty sure that was made by Big Bang .. circa 1920's

 

[jcc]

A "Bangsite" cannon, have one in the garage. You put some water in it, the twist off breach has a miniscule cup, put some "Bangsite" in the cup, insert and twist, wait a few seconds, strike the flint and BANG.

I think the metal tube of powder says "Bangsite", I will look when I et home from the office. Great fun if you have kids, order some powder.

Here, Google reference... www.bigbangcannons.com

 

[Tony in SC]

I think it's just a display/paper weight toy. There is no way to ignite banzite or any thing else.

 

[FloodcityTom]

Id have to look down the barrel but that might be an older model carbide cannon. If so there should be a "sparker" on the back somewhere and whitish residue in the barrel, may have fired a cork.

 

[Smallcannonhunter]

Thank you for all the information. Sorry for the lack of detail. Cannon is currently at my parents house. I will look a bit closer at it next time. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. Will update soon.

 

[jonesy]

mine has rubber wheels and a good sparker

 

[jcc]

Here is the big bang cannon I have.

 

[Smallcannonhunter]

The barrel is drilled about half way though and the rsst is completely solid. It is 9in long and 4 inches high. It really resemebles a big bang cannon. Is this a fake made to look old?
Thank you

 

[Smallcannonhunter]

 

[Smallcannonhunter]

 

[ArfieBoy]

The barrel is drilled about half way though and the rsst is completely solid. It is 9in long and 4 inches high. It really resemebles a big bang cannon. Is this a fake made to look old?
Thank you

I think it is just a cast iron toy. There have been many modern replicas made to look like the old ones.

 

[Tony in SC]

You are right! It is not a firing cannon, It's a toy/paper weight>

I think it is just a cast iron toy. There have been many modern replicas made to look like the old ones.

 

[gunsil]

Smallcannonhunter, sent you a PM, I have LOTS of small cannons, most of which are antiques that can be fired.

 

[Smallcannonhunter]

It does not seem authentic. Thanks for everyones help. I going to mark this as a paper weight.
Thanks again.

 

[jcc]

The metal wheels make it older than the newer stuff with rubber wheels.

Might look around for when the star on the side of military toys or on military equipment became popular.

My gut says 1900 to 1920, any makers marks at all on it?

My father lived in PA as a boy and talked about melting lead weights to make toy soldiers with molds, maybe there
was a side industry of cast iron toys that evolved.

It sure looks like the ancestor of the cannon I have, the angles and design are close. Maybe Conestoga Co. made
something that didn't fire in their first years.

Jim

 

[FloodcityTom]

Thanks for the memories, I used to have one just like that early 60's we called them a "carbide cannon". Real popular around the 4th of July