I've been offerred this nice pair of iron guns, what are they?

[cannonmn]

A friend just sent me these photos of two iron cannons, 18th C. it appears.  The pair was excavated on private property in Baltimore, MD a few years ago.  The owners didn't give me dimensions and I'm waiting for that, but I think they are about 4' long and have about 3" bores.  There are no marks anywhere.

What type/nationality  do you think they are?

As much as I like them, I probably won't get them as my scrap iron budget for this month has already been depleted.

[dan610324]

british ??

[GGaskill]

Maybe English commercial?  No banded cascable.  Maybe American commercial?

[Double D]

Tory Survivalist hidden cache so they can rise up and send George W and other rebels to the Towere.  

Below center line trunnion, possibly 4 PDR.

Interestingly enough the South African Miniature Cannon Club has a similar profile.

[cannonmn]

Now that I look them a little more, the trunnions appear to be well-less in diameter than the bore.  Sometimes I see that in swivel guns.   Hope they'll get me the bore dia. pretty soon.  I agree, probably English, non-Gov't.

[Bob Smith]

I would agree, English, after 1725 since they have a raised breechblock. Is it a trick of the light, or can I see an F on one of the trunnions?

Bob Smith

[Rickk]

As long as you arn't buying, how much are they going for?

[RocklockI]

I would agree, English, after 1725 since they have a raised breechblock. Is it a trick of the light, or can I see an F on one of the trunnions?

Bob Smith

Hello Bob Smith , can you tell me what a riased breechblock is .

Gary

[Bob Smith]

At the vent, there is a raised square block cast integrally with the cannon. This was introdeced with the Armstrong pattern in about 1727. It was copied onto the commercial guns in England, but foreign gunfounders did not bother with it. Many years later , they got a use for it when Britain introduced gunlocks and used the block to attach them.
Bob Smith

[RocklockI]

So that is where the little powder tray is ?

Gary

[cannonmn]

As long as you arn't buying, how much are they going for?

The pair are available for $10K.  I really like pairs of cannons, and these certainly make a cute pair.  Cleaned up a bit, primed then painted gloss black, I think they'd be quite impressive.

[Bob Smith]

Yes, that's what it is. And a useful indicator of age and origin, too.
Bob Smith

[RocklockI]

If you feel froggy leap!   , Nothing between you those cannons but air and oppertunity .

Hell , whats 10 grand worth anymore anyhow ? At least you'll have them to point at and say this is my investment .

Me , I got my eye on a sweet double rifle !!!!! 450 BP x3 1/4" oh ,I want it bad  .


YMMV
Gary

My kids are grown so I can not even try to sell one of them   Oh yea I'd have sold them both ...cheap several years ago   .....somehow you get by ...one day at a time .....

Gary