Breech-Loading Swivel Gun / Cannon For Comment

[Matchlock]

Originally Posted by fernando

May i disagree or confess that i am in the least confused ?
The zigzag (bamboo shoot ) motives are in low relief and are usual for Asia. This would be one of the common components of a Lantaka decoration .
.

Of course they are, Nando,


But when they appear on cast-copper alloy barrels (brass or bonze), it is only on items after ca. 1550.

The reason is that they started importing barrels with that zigzag ornament from Nuremberg from the early 16th century. By and by they must have started taking over, and copying, the appearance of those barrels they called lantakas - that "magic" zigzag decoration included.

Very soon, though, their native Indonesian stylistic elements seem to have prevailed, and this, in my opinion, is why you can tell apart an early 16th century barrel from a similar but Indonesia made, within seconds.


Originally, the zigzag ornament goes back to the early 14th century, when it became known as der fränkische Rechen (the Franconian rake), and consequently characteristic of identifying, and representing, the Franconian region by its official coat-of-arms.
Nürnberg has always been the capital of Franconia, as well as the important political, cultural, and economic center.

So this is what that zigzag ornament originally stood for, and was meant to convey to people on far-off continents: the power and unparalleled leading quality, as well as the topic stylistical taste, of all goods that were made in, and exported from, Nuremberg, Franconia.

There was a well-known saying since the 15th century:
"Nürnberger Tand geht in alle Land", meaning: Nuremberg manufactured objects of both everyday use and artwork were exported to the rest of the world - at least the parts known by then.


Attached find two Nuremberg founded brass/bronze haquebut barrels preserved in the Museum of Gerolzhofen, Franconia, that I will introduce in another thread. They both were cast in the 1530's, and one of them is dated 1538 in high relief.
Both show the Franconian rake, as a proof of their Nuremberg manufactured quality.

Could you please point me to a lantaka of such an early date?
I'd be grateful for learning more on their histor.


Best,
Michl


All photos in this post copyrighted by the author, Michael Trömner.

[dana_w]

Here is another image for your perusal.

This photo is copyright (c) 2014 by Dana K. Williams. All Rights Are Reserved.

[cornelistromp]

It's a 15th/16thC portuguese or spanish breechloading swivel cannon.
those 15th and 16th century breechloading cannons look all alike , like peas in a pot.

This type of gun is thought to have been cast in Goa, Portuguese India however they were also produced in Macao during this period.
they were made for the spanish and portuguese.



there are a lot of fakes on the market, whether yours is real unfortunately I can not tell from the pictures.
The core was held in the middle by thin iron wires, during the casting.
perhaps there are still traces of these wires showing on the skin. (small rust spots).


best,

[dana_w]

Originally Posted by cornelistromp

The core was held in the middle by thin iron wires, during the casting.
perhaps there are still traces of these wires showing on the skin. (small rust spots).

Thanks for you comments Cornelistromp.

Here is a closeup which shows a few previously inexplicable spots of rust.

[fernando]

Hoi Jasper,
I assume you have a lot more 'mileage' than me in these things; this is the first time i see a typical breech loading chamber combined with a lantaka cannon. Maybe this is common to your eyes, but certainly new to me.
Breech loading 'berços' of various sizes were made by Portuguese (and Spanish) for their ships and auxiliary rowing boats, whereas lantakas were made for trade in Asia.
I would always realize that this atypical device was made to please somebody or anybody, rather than for crude battle
... one of the peas in a pot

[cornelistromp]

Hi Fernando,

Here is a nice article that you're sure to love.

http://www.arscives.com/bladesign/history.htm

for a similar cannon as above in #1 please google cannonsuperstore >>>> Spanish cannons

best
jasper

[fernando]

Thsnk you so much for the link and for being so thoughtful, Jasper .
As a matter of fact i know Rainer Daehnhardt, with whom i have a fair relation. A lot of knowledge that i transmit here in the forum comes from his books and 'lectures' i receive when i periodicaly visit his shop in Cascais ... as also (a couple times) in his house, where he has an imense (i mean imense) collection.
I am also aware of the article you linked and i also met its author Antonio Cejunior when he came (from Macau) to Portugal to visit his family.

I visited the cannon site you suggested and i saw the cannon you refer; not so 'lantaka style' as the one posted here, i would say ... don't you agree? .

Not pointing at any source in particular, i don't feel safe with determined attributions like antiquity and provenance, specialy when it comes to 'Portuguese' or 'Spanish' cannons conotations ... discoveries period and all that. Indeed cannon foundries were settled in Macau (the famous Bocarro family) but i don't know if the typology produced there is connected with lantakas ... or even 16th century breech loading berços.

Dank u once again