Dated 1741 AD. A matched pair of cast bronze 'noonday' half-inch bore miniature cannon for black powder; the barrels with flared muzzles, astragal and fillet moulds to the reinforcing rings, breech bases and knobs; each with stamped 'broad arrow' mark on top face for the British War Department and with raised square plate above the touchhole engraved with the British crowned cypher for George II, the right side trunnion stamped with the date '1741' and the left with maker's mark 'IEC', possibly for the Swedish gun founding company Ehrendal Foundry which supplied arms to the British government in the 18th century period; each barrel mounted on a traditional wheeled hardwood carriage with metal fittings and chains, including a separate wedge for elevation. 3 kg total, 23cm (9"). Ex Jersey collection; acquired 1980s. Miniature cannons were fired to mark noon each day (the height of the sun at noon being critical for navigational computations, knowing the precise time was very important) and were also used for general signalling; they would have been present at naval shore establishments wherever the British Navy was based throughout the world. [2]

Fine condition; the wood carriages restored. Rare, especially as a matching pair.