Bronze Cannon ID

[Lazouave]

Recently bought the pictured cannon. No markings. 3.5" Smoothbore. Swell at trunions. Well made. Shows extensive wear from being elevated. Barrel interior has recess below the vent. Total depth of bore is approx. 38.5" Barrel to cascabel is 41.25". Cascabel length is 3.45". Trunions are 2.75" diameter.

Any ideas as to origins or maker?

[emike123]

Welcome to the dark side.  Nice!

I think that smaller diameter cavity at the end of the barrel makes it a howitzer.  Beyond that, I cannot really help.  You might correspond with Tom at Historical Ordnance Works.

[CarlS]

Interesting that the bore is 3.5" and the trunnion is 2.75".  I was under the impression that most (if not all) cannons had the trunnion diameter match the bore size.  But having heard that I never have checked it out.  So just now looking in Ripley's book I see that I was not accurate in that belief.  Some are the same and most are close but a few vary a good bit like this example you have.  I noticed the Brooke rifles tended to have the trunnion with a bigger diameter than the bore.

Beautiful patina on your gun.

[speedenforcer]

I like it, but is it just me or does the walls of the tube seem awful thin for that bore diameter?

[Lazouave]

Carl, I though the same originally too on the trunions. But may also, explain it is made with a swell or band in that area.

Speedenforcer - I though the wall thickness was unusual, especially considering the quality of the casting of the overall guns internior and exterior.