Filipino cannons

Rick · 27th March 2021, 09:10 PM

It occurred to me that the short one could have been used as a man trap; but then I considered the loss of such a weapon to it's owners and I discarded that idea.
I would guess that both are center fire weapons, but I don't see any mechanism to fire them, nor obvious firing pins present as they are now.
I'd imagine that the 37 cartridge would hold a heck of a lot of large buckshot.

I'd be willing to bet that the Lantaka has also been modified for a foreign round much as the 1873 MAS revolver was modified for 45acp in WWII.

A little more complicated in this instance.

pbleed · 27th March 2021, 09:27 PM

This is my second attempt to respond to the last couple of posts. Thanks for your interest!
Cerrosafe will be a challenge for this application since the 37mm gun as bolts into the chamber that will make removal of the castings difficult.
Second, I attach another view of the breech end of the 37mm gun. On thus gun - as on the "lantaka" the firing - "denonating" mechanism - the"TRIGGER" -is the button in the box attached to the back of the breech. The guns were fired (it appears) by a blow to that button - OMG!
The lantaka has a similar device and it IS visible in early images.
Peter

Rick · 27th March 2021, 09:41 PM

Better pictures always help.

From the appearance of the blocks they are mounted on they could have been mortised into a larger block that was on an axle with a wagon type tongue attached, wheels of course. Aim, elevate, depress.
A field piece
Pass the hammer.

I've never seen the like of these before.

pbleed · 27th March 2021, 11:45 PM

Rick,
You have just answered the question I was trying to ask. These things seem to be odd enough not to be on the collectors' radar.
Peter

Rick · 28th March 2021, 02:22 AM

Yes, they do, but you never know for sure.

fernando · 28th March 2021, 11:19 AM

Rick, i see that you conclude that these are operational shooting weapons. Then my next question would be; were these made for the entertainment of a single user or were they part of some armed force arsenal ?

Edster · 28th March 2021, 01:37 PM

Peter,

You say "since the 37mm gun as bolts into the chamber that will make removal of the castings difficult."

This suggests that a 37mm round could not be effectively inserted into the breach. Maybe a subcaliber insert was used to fire a smaller round. Also, a cast breach/barrel was likely made to take black powder pressure and not that of a modern round. Just a thought.

Ed

Rick · 28th March 2021, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Rick, i see that you conclude that these are operational shooting weapons. Then my next question would be; were these made for the entertainment of a single user or were they part of some armed force arsenal ?

Necessity is the mother of invention.
Revolutionary forces I'm thinking Fernando.

27th March 2021, 09:10 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	It occurred to me that the short one could have been used as a man trap; but then I considered the loss of such a weapon to it's owners and I discarded that idea. I would guess that both are center fire weapons, but I don't see any mechanism to fire them, nor obvious firing pins present as they are now. I'd imagine that the 37 cartridge would hold a heck of a lot of large buckshot. I'd be willing to bet that the Lantaka has also been modified for a foreign round much as the 1873 MAS revolver was modified for 45acp in WWII. A little more complicated in this instance. Last edited by Rick; 27th March 2021 at 09:27 PM.

27th March 2021, 09:27 PM	#2
pbleed Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Little Rock, Arkansas Posts: 89	This is my second attempt to respond to the last couple of posts. Thanks for your interest! Cerrosafe will be a challenge for this application since the 37mm gun as bolts into the chamber that will make removal of the castings difficult. Second, I attach another view of the breech end of the 37mm gun. On thus gun - as on the "lantaka" the firing - "denonating" mechanism - the"TRIGGER" -is the button in the box attached to the back of the breech. The guns were fired (it appears) by a blow to that button - OMG! The lantaka has a similar device and it IS visible in early images. Peter Attached Images Last edited by pbleed; 28th March 2021 at 12:45 AM.

27th March 2021, 09:41 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	Better pictures always help. From the appearance of the blocks they are mounted on they could have been mortised into a larger block that was on an axle with a wagon type tongue attached, wheels of course. Aim, elevate, depress. A field piece Pass the hammer. I've never seen the like of these before. Last edited by Rick; 27th March 2021 at 09:52 PM.

27th March 2021, 11:45 PM	#4
pbleed Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Little Rock, Arkansas Posts: 89	Rick, You have just answered the question I was trying to ask. These things seem to be odd enough not to be on the collectors' radar. Peter Last edited by pbleed; 28th March 2021 at 04:40 PM.

28th March 2021, 02:22 AM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	Yes, they do, but you never know for sure.

28th March 2021, 11:19 AM	#6
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Rick, i see that you conclude that these are operational shooting weapons. Then my next question would be; were these made for the entertainment of a single user or were they part of some armed force arsenal ?

28th March 2021, 01:37 PM	#7
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 418	Peter, You say "since the 37mm gun as bolts into the chamber that will make removal of the castings difficult." This suggests that a 37mm round could not be effectively inserted into the breach. Maybe a subcaliber insert was used to fire a smaller round. Also, a cast breach/barrel was likely made to take black powder pressure and not that of a modern round. Just a thought. Ed