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, seven thick astragals, and a conical shoulder with a perforated fuse opening. 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: 64.75" L x 2.125" W (164.5 cm x 5.4 cm)

Provenance: ex-private Scollard collection, Los Angeles County, California, USA, acquired prior to 1990

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#152197

Minor abrasions to cannon barrel and wooden pole, with light encrustations within fuse opening, and minor loosening to wooden pole within socketing shaft, otherwise intact and very good. Light earthen deposits and nice patina throughout.