Beschreibung:

Iron working model of an articulated seacoast fortification 24 pound cannon, English, circa 1790. The cannon has a beautifully turned iron barrel which measures 21 inches in length. The bore is 3/4 of an inch. The muzzle has a trumpet like flare and has three defined bands. The rear of the barrel is beautifully turned with raised bands. Projecting from the back of the barrel is an iron tab with a rotating shackle. The barrel has three trunnions on each side which are fitted to a unique iron linkage described below. The center trunnions are fixed at opposite ends with beautifully turned brass caps and brass locking nuts. The trunnions are fixed to a modified "A" frame red painted carriage which is fixed to a semicircular frame iron base. Mounted to the rear side of the base is a wheel, when turned, mechanically and smoothly rotates the cannon left and right. Mounted to the same side and on the outside of the "A" frame is an auger, when turned, raises and lowers the barrel. Because the cannon would have been mounted at a relatively high level from the surface, it can be angled down at a steep angle. Condition: The barrel and cradle have been repainted. The brass fittings have been polished and the mechanism has been restored to working order. The cannon has been recently mounted to a mahogany circular base with ogee molded perimeter. Note: The model was probably a design proposed to the British Board of Ordnance by a British artillery officer or one of the ordnance contractors. The design of this artillery piece allowed more rapid aiming and firing than older designs. The cannon was free to recoil, which raised the whole gun since it was hung from linkages. Then it returned to firing position by gravity. The ingenious linkages allowed it to recoil and return to battery position without changing its angle of elevation. The crank provided a quick method of accurately changing elevation by small amounts. The windlass allowed the crew to traverse the piece easily to aim at moving ship targets. Dimensions of cannon: Length 21 3/4 inches; Height 14 3/4 inches; Width 17 inches. Dimensions of base: Diameter 17 3/4 inches.