East Asia, China, Late Ming to early Qing Dynasty, ca. 17th century CE. A sizable cast-iron hand cannon with a lengthy wooden pole secured with the hammered sides of the socketing shaft. The iron cannon has a narrow barrel with a slightly-flared muzzle and four ringed astragals with the lowest one bearing a small perforated opening into which a lit fuse is inserted, thus igniting the compacted gunpowder held within. The Chinese hand cannon - or "handgonne" - was a shoulder-mounted weapon that was both cumbersome and difficult to aim. However, if the fired projectile did hit its intended target, the inflicted damage would be immense. Typical hand cannons like this example were capable of firing .50 to .70 caliber projectiles and paved the way for modern-day firearms. Size: 50.625" L x 1.8" W (128.6 cm x 4.6 cm).

Provenance: private Los Angeles County, California, USA collection

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#136141

Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, expected oxidation to iron cannon barrel, with small chips and light roughness to wooden handle, otherwise intact and very good. Light earthen deposits throughout, and smooth dark-brown patina along wooden handle.