TOY

Cast copper alloy toy cannon of probable 18th century date. The gun was probably attached to carriage, which is now missing. The cannon is dull brown, with a worn surface. It is 59.1mm in length. The toy is described as if it were a working cannon. The cascable (closed end) has a prominent lobed knop on the end. There is a pronounced base ring. The first reinforce is relatively short, terminanting in a reinforce ring. The first reinforce contains the vent field and vent, which is a circular hole where the cannon would have been 'lit'. The second reinforce (barrel) has a central reinforcing ring from which project the rectangular trunnions. The total width of the cannon across the trunnions is 17.12mm. The chase narrows gradually to another reinforcing ring before widening to a pronounced muzzle astragal. The muzzle is open and circular in cross section. The barrel is 8.57mm in diameter and the muzzle 10.8mm. It weighs 14.5 grams. Traces of residue in the muzzle suggest it has been used. Forsyth and Egan (2005:80-81) discuss toy cannons and suggest those that actually fired were very popular by the end of the 16th century but the majority show features that were developed in 17th - 18th century. This example is most similar to their Type 4 Design 1 (p.82) although in this case the trunnions are on one reinforcing ring rather than flanked by two smaller rings. They suggest this type is from the first half of the 18th century or later.