firecracker firecracker
Firecracker cannon are among the most highly desirable collectible types of the toy cannons. Famous names include, Shimer, Ives, Home- Guard, and Kilgore.
Firecrackers were used singly, inserted into the breech, or muzzle depending on the cannon type. Most firecracker cannon had moveable barrels for inserting fire crackers. Fire cracker cannon were patented starting in the late 1860's.
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Patent 96,143 was issued to
A.E. Peck on October 26, 1869 for this simple cannon. |
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Circa 1897, "No. 50"
manufactured by the Columbia Grey Iron Company, Columbia, Pennsylvania. (Blue with red wheels) No markings, at least two variations. |
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On September 3, 1889, a patent was issued George Nash, for this firecracker cannon. The entire breech & trail rotate to expose the rear opening of the barrel. |
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Circa 1895, The
"Hotchkiss" was manufactured by the Ives and Williams (later Ives and Blakeslee)
& Company, in Bridgeport Connecticut, from 1895 to 1905, Patent No. 556,057. The
barrel pivoted left to right for inserting the fire cracker. Hotchkiss is written on the
trail. The Hotchkiss was made in two sizes, the one shown being the larger. Ives made over a dozen different cannon, to include cap firing, black powder, firecracker , and cartridge types all in different sizes. Many of these cannon are included on other pages. |
| Circa 1887, The "Home Guard" cannon. Patent no. 385,127. Manufactured by the Safety Cannon Company, Brookline, Massachusetts. The barrel tilts down for the insertion of the fire cracker. A Canadian patent was also issued. There are two types, the main difference is in the number of spokes in the wheels. One having a much better finish. There are small variations within the models. | |
| Circa 1895, Shimer cannon, patent no. 538,181. Most Shimer cannon have Pat. April 23, 1895 inscribed on top of the barrel. Both "fancy" and plain wheel types appeared on the production models. Both styles were made in at least 5 different sizes. | |
| Circa 1920, mortar cannon made
by the Kilgore mfg. Company, Westerville, Ohio. These different colored (Red, Blue, Green, Orange, Yellow) mortars shot foam rubber balls into the air. Finding one of the original balls is difficult, as they were easily damaged, and with age they shrivel up. Kilgore made other types of toy cannon also. Some of these can be seen on the (mechanical) spring / plunger page. |
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"Boom" This firecracker mortar was made by Ives. 1895 |
