Lot 110

RARE Cast Antique Black Powder Hand Cannon

Estimate: $800 - $1,600

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
For your consideration is a rare cast antique black powder hand cannon. The hand cannon is the first true firearm and the successor of the fire lance. It is the oldest type of small arms as well as the most mechanically simplistic form of metal barrel firearms. Unlike matchlock firearms it requires direct manual external ignition through a touch hole without any form of firing mechanism. It may also be considered a forerunner of the handgun. The hand cannon was widely used in China from the 13th century onward and later throughout Eurasia in the 14th century. Almost all of this genre of firearm comes from archeological sites where all such artifacts end up in museums and almost never on the collector market. This example, like nearly all in existence, is made of heavy iron that is now profoundly and evenly pitted from age. This large example is approximately 7 7/8” long and approximately 2” wide at the base. The bore measures ½” and is possibly of European origin. Hand canons were muzzle loaded with ball, shot or even stones and ignited through the touch hole. Usually they were used by a team of two in which one held and “aimed” the pole with loaded hand cannon attached while the second member of the team held the match or burning stick. Upon command, the match holder placed the burning end to the touch hole and set off the charge. The hand cannon is now an elusive item for any arms collection as most are not on the collector market, but rather on exhibit in castles or museums in Europe. Black powder firearms do not require a FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.
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