17th C. Chinese Iron / Wood Hand Cannon

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 as well as four astragals with the lowest bearing a small perforated opening into which a lit fuse is inserted, thus igniting the compacted gunpowder held within. 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: 59" L x 1.875" W (149.9 cm x 4.8 cm).

Provenance: ex-private Los Angeles County, California, USA collection

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#148877
Condition Report: Wooden pole is slightly loose inside of iron socketing shaft. Minor abrasions to pole and cannon, with light encrustations, otherwise intact and very good. Lovely patina throughout. Cannon has not been tested for functionality.