not cannons...not cannons...
... exceptions! These are not really cannon!
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This is a"trap" or
"alarm" gun. These were mounted and armed so that a string would release the
hair trigger when a door, window or "trip" wire was touched. The shells were
usually (?) blanks. This example is Circa 1850, from France. It uses what is known as a pin fire shell, which were invented in 1836. |
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Lloyd Chapman sent in these photo's of a later model trap gun which he mounted on a carriage and turned it into a cannon. It's interesting to note that the barrel is open on the under side, and the muzzle is solid. I'm not sure why this was done. Can anyone help out? |
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Circa 1880 "Dewey" alarm gun - Percussion cap & black powder - Manufacturer unknown. |
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These are line guns, also called Lyle guns.. Several types were made for the Navy & Coast Guard under contract with over a dozen companies. They were used to "shoot" a projectile attached to a rope to a victim in the water, or to another boat. Manufacturing ceased around 1952, in favor of rockets. The original inventor/perfector was David Lyle, Circa 1880. |
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These are commonly called "Thunder Mugs". They were made to test black powder mixtures and have also been used to launch fireworks. Sometimes they are referred to as signal cannon. They date back a couple hundred years ( some are still being made..). They were made of brass or iron. |
