A rare type of maritime muzzle loading cannon and carriage seldom available, believed to be American, this heavy bronze tube owns a fine patina and small incidental markings from its age that show it was well used. Cannons of this type were employed from the mid-18TH Century well through the middle of the 19TH century by both naval and merchant ships. Such an armament would have been positioned on a quarterdeck or a bow location on the larger of vessels, and nearly anywhere on a schooner. Small enough to be maneuvered quickly, it would fire a devastatingly effective blast to repel potential borders or damage enemy ships at range.
Without markings to indicate its maker, its origin is thought to be American, especially since it near identically matches a U.S. Model Field Gun of 1841, except for its smaller size. The barrel measures 32 inches from muzzle to the end of its split cascabel with a 2⅝ inch bore. On the original wooden naval-style carriage it measures approximately 36 inches in length with a 21 inch width at the axles. Each wood wheel is plated with thin bronze faces. A big plus is the set of period firing tools that remain with this antique cannon, these rare implements completing its look and function.
