Cannon identification markings

[stu65]

Hi this is my first post so please forgive my ignorance.
I have been asked by a friend to try and find some information/history on a cannon he has recently bought. I have failed on a internet search.
I am hoping somebody here will be able to help or point me in the right direction at least.
The markings on the Barrel are ECL 1.5 lb. That is all I have to go on. The barrel was bought in New Zealand at an auction.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Stuart

[KABAR2]

Hi Stu65,

Welcome to the forum, could you see if you can get some photo's of the cannon,

this would help Identify it as to era, possibly manufacturer and use.

also length, Diameter at breech and muzzle would help as would bore diameter,

Is it rifled or smooth bore?

 Iron or bronze?

There are plenty of people who would be willing to help just need more information.

Cheers,

Allen <><

[stu65]

Thanks Alan,
I'll get some measurements and photos in the next couple of days and get them posted.
Cheers

[stu65]

After many months i have managed to get measurements & a couple of photos.
Overall length is 1.995m bore is smooth and 60m dia, muzzle is 130mm breach is 170mm, The pivots are 60mm dia and 570mm from the muzzle.
I have attached 4 photos to help.
Thanks again
stuart

[Double D]

When you upload pictures direct from your computer, you have to tell the system where on your computer the picture is stored like this.

C:\Users\Douglas B Dickens\Pictures\Cannons\M-1841 42 PDR\Reargarter-2009 Refurb-04.jpg

Just typing the picture name like this won't get it. Reargarter-2009 Refurb-04.jpg

Use the browse button in additional options to find the picture.  To fix it you can go back to your post and click on Modify in the upper right corner.  When the modify window opens click on additional options.  Un check the pictures names you have and then click browse to find the pictures you want to attach with its complete file name.

[KABAR2]

I've taken the liberty of cropping and uploading the images for you,
hope that helps.






 

[stu65]

Thanks for your help Kabar2.
hope somebody can shine some light on the history of this gun. It is obviously naval but that is as much as i know.
cheers
stuart

[cannonmn]

As you probably know it is a swivel guns, 1 1/2 pounder.  There are some of very similar design and size shown here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkogmqJzXmI

Bob Smith will have no trouble with those markings I'm sure when he shows up, meanwhile I'll take a look in some books.  The big "L" may stand for Liverpool as there were a nuimber of iron founders there, and many cast cannons for  use on merchant ships.  Your gun is made for civilian use on mercant ships, as the markings are civilian and not military/naval.

[stu65]

Thanks for the link cannonmn.
I thought the cannon was a naval gun due to the eye at the breach end. None of the swivel guns have a eye which I presumed was for a rope.

[Bob Smith]

I have asked Ruth about this one. She writes:

I have got a few of these EC-L guns, all at the moment from the East- one in Japan, one in Thailand, one in Taiwan (the closest to this one in size to this one). All are gunnades, of what I would call the second degree- not the best castings. No indication of who cast them-  I guess it is E and Company, but could be someone EC. The L might be Liverpool, but also could be London as there a few small foundries and ships chandlers supplying guns based round the docks there. Cannot even give you a good date for them, 1820s is best guess, but that is just a feeling. Sorry, gentlemen, to be so disappointing.

Bob Smith (with the help of his better half)

[cannonmn]

I thought the cannon was a naval gun due to the eye at the breach end. None of the swivel guns have a eye which I presumed was for a rope.

It is most definitely an insurance gun, that's probably all we know for sure.  Apparently if you were a shipowner, you could walk into a ship chandler's store and pick new insurance guns you wanted.  If they were to be used as swivels they'd probably already have the "oarlock" type mount forged onto them.  If they were carriage guns, they might must be barrels and the ship owner would get the ship's carpenter to build a simple carriage to mount them on.  I agree this one would probably be used as a carriage gun, is a bit large for a swivel.