Need Help to Identify old Cannon

teddytaiter · Jun 13, 2018

Hello All,

I need help to identify an old cannon given to me by my grandfather (pictures below). I was told it is around 1600 and is a signal cannon but cannot confirm. It has what appears to be "SPAIN" stamped into it which may narrow the search. Please let me know if you know anything about this cannon and it would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Ted

Kace · Jun 13, 2018

THATS COOL! Looks like it was designed to be pulled or pushed around, possibly on a ship, but that's about all I know... lol! Lots of folks here though that I'm sure can help you with specifics.

Kace

Tpmetal · Jun 13, 2018

Interesting appears to be an early breach loading swivel cannon. Thinking 16th century or so, maybe 15th century.

Tpmetal · Jun 13, 2018

15th Century Spanish Paterara Breech load Cannon is what google tells me

bologna321 · Jun 13, 2018

Cool, I'd have to shoot that off 8-)

Hawks88 · Jun 13, 2018

Nice canon.

vpnavy · Jun 14, 2018

1st - I noticed this was your very first post - so, Welcome Aboard TeddyTaiter! You didn't list your state (or country) in your profile. So, you might consider jumping over to Sub-Forums: Select Your Area.... and selecting location information (i.e., clubs, hunts, finds, legends, maps, etc.) directly related to your state (or country). You might also consider adding your state (or country) to your displayed profile (SETTINGS -> EDIT PROFILE) so if you ask a question, etc. - people may have more success helping you (your location may help, etc.)...

2nd - I moved from Today's Finds! over to Forum: What Is It? for more exposure.

Shae1324 · Jun 14, 2018

Tpmetal said:
15th Century Spanish Paterara Breech load Cannon is what google tells me

I agree wholeheartedly. Whatever you do, do not fire it unless you are willing to potentially destroy it (a little disclaimer, just in case) A measurement of the diameter of the barrel and an overall length would be most helpful. This is likely 4.652 caliber (that's inches mind you, imagine something the size of your fist!) and I am betting the barrel is around 22" long. If you should just so happen to be lucky enough for it to be loaded, the value increases exponentially. Are there any cartouches or proof marks? If so, could you provide us with pictures?

From what I see, it looks complete. 15th and 16th century weapons often depicted animals or mythological creatures, so any decoration is important to identification also. Again, I would need to see the mechanisms much closer. It definitely looks as though it could use a little polishing with some oil on the exterior.

Megalodon · Jun 14, 2018

bologna321 said:
Cool, I'd have to shoot that off

Good example of the saying "famous last words".

ARC · Jun 14, 2018

What you have is a "Peterara"... "culverin" type swivel gun.

And... IMO... this is a replica / reproduction.

tamrock · Jun 14, 2018

bologna321 said:
Cool, I'd have to shoot that off

God forbid ya give that a try. If you do fire it stand way heck out a the way. If it didn't explode, it looks like it would jump of the ground and bash ya in the nuts. Now that would be a good YouTube video.

Tpmetal · Jun 14, 2018

AARC said:
What you have is a "Peterara"... "culverin" type swivel gun.

And... IMO... this is a replica / reproduction.

I had that thought about it being repo, what details lead you to that?

DCMatt · Jun 14, 2018

Tpmetal said:
I had that thought about it being repo, what details lead you to that?

It looks like a reproduction to my eye as well. Perhaps the most obvious evidence is the mark. If it were a 16th C Spanish piece it would likely be marked España - not Spain.

It is a beautiful piece. A little too beautiful to be original, IMO.

Daryn · Jun 14, 2018

Nice looking canon. I’m thinking the same that it’s a repop. Only a gringo would mark it Spain [emoji23]

Charlie P. (NY) · Jun 14, 2018

Welcome.

Sheet metal holding the breech in place! Yikes!

Ornamental only or maybe a noise-maker. But I wouldn't try it with a projectile.

vhs07 · Jun 14, 2018

Shae1324 said:
I agree wholeheartedly. Whatever you do, do not fire it unless you are willing to potentially destroy it (a little disclaimer, just in case) A measurement of the diameter of the barrel and an overall length would be most helpful. This is likely 4.652 caliber (that's inches mind you, imagine something the size of your fist!) and I am betting the barrel is around 22" long. If you should just so happen to be lucky enough for it to be loaded, the value increases exponentially. Are there any cartouches or proof marks? If so, could you provide us with pictures?

From what I see, it looks complete. 15th and 16th century weapons often depicted animals or mythological creatures, so any decoration is important to identification also. Again, I would need to see the mechanisms much closer. It definitely looks as though it could use a little polishing with some oil on the exterior.

Judging the bore's size in relation the the receptacle cover behind it, and allowing for the camera's wide-angle distortion, I would guess not much bigger than a 1" bore.

teddytaiter · Jun 14, 2018

Shae1324 said:
I agree wholeheartedly. Whatever you do, do not fire it unless you are willing to potentially destroy it (a little disclaimer, just in case) A measurement of the diameter of the barrel and an overall length would be most helpful. This is likely 4.652 caliber (that's inches mind you, imagine something the size of your fist!) and I am betting the barrel is around 22" long. If you should just so happen to be lucky enough for it to be loaded, the value increases exponentially. Are there any cartouches or proof marks? If so, could you provide us with pictures?

From what I see, it looks complete. 15th and 16th century weapons often depicted animals or mythological creatures, so any decoration is important to identification also. Again, I would need to see the mechanisms much closer. It definitely looks as though it could use a little polishing with some oil on the exterior.

I have some more pictures that could hopefully clarify whether or not this is a replica or has just been refinished. Please let me know what you think of these. Everyone else please feel free to chime in as well.