One of the oldest artifacts we've ever featured, this solid, heavy cast Dutch Rail Cannon is an artifact from the end of the 16th Century. Without foundry marks but of a style that was only used up through about 1720, the massive bore and simple function does nothing to diminish its deadly intent. With a good pack of powder, almost anything could have been turned into a lethal projectile, and most likely was on occasion.
Very unique to the Rail Howitzer Cannon is the cast tiller arm as part of the weapon. Such an aid to aiming was often made of a secondary material and had some method of attaching. The solid nature of this weapon makes us believe that is an early model of this type of weapon, and with its incredibly heavy make, will be around for a couple more centuries.
