Early XV century handgonne

[Spiridonov]

http://www.ambroseantiques.com/wpistols/handcannon.htm

"A VERY EARLY NORTHERN ITALIAN 14th/15th CENTURY VASE-TYPE IRON HAND-CANNON, ca. 1425: In overall fine and untouched condition. Lightly oxidized and patinated surfaces with the expected discoloration and scattered pitting and roughness. Of very early, 14th/15th Century, small-sized, Vase-Type form: having a wrought forged, twisted, bulbous-type, iron barrel with a slightly irregular muzzle and a pronounced twisted midsection. Top-mounted, vent-type touch-hole and a smoothbore, 1.00 caliber bore. The exterior surfaces with an untouched, chocolate-brown age-patina and the expected signs of wear from use. In overall fine untouched condition with light to moderate pitting an untouched russet-brown patina and scattered forge-roughness, bore-irregularity and wear. Exhibits a hand-forged wrought-iron "twist" pattern with evident hammer-marks and the expected roughness/rust stains. Overall length 5 3/4". An extremely rare, early and original 14th/15th century European (Northern Italian) Hand-Cannon, ca. 1425. Rarely seen outside of large European Estate or Institutional collections. For a similar example, please see Dudley Pope's: "Guns"."

http://www.ambroseantiques.com/wpistols/handcannon.htm

[Matchlock]

Hi Alexander,

Nice find that one!

The fact that it was wrought of band iron, plus the small, amost tiny (and conically narrowing!) touch hole, suggest a manufacturing time of ca. 1360-80!

For all those members who do not especially like links I post the images.

Best,
Michael