A rare Dutch East India Company bronze Howitzer, circa 1725, the cylindrical two stage barrel with flat cascabel and broad first reinforce cast with lifting loop and large diameter trunnions, the astragal moulded muzzle with 10 inch bore, 90cm long, maximum diameter 48cm. Provenance: The property of a private collector. Recovered from the wreck of an early 19th century Dutch East Indiaman off the west coast of Africa which was lost on a return trip from Batavia with a cargo including redundant cannon for smelting. Purchased directly from the salvers in 1980. current lot is a rare model which can be described as being halfway between a mortar and a standard cannon. The short barrel allows relatively large projectiles to be fired (at the expense of accuracy and range) whilst retaining a degree of portability and maneuverability in the field. Projectiles could either be solid, hollow (explosive) or grapeshot making this a useful weapon perhaps well suited to amphibious campaigns. Condition report disclaimer
A rare Dutch East India Company bronze Howitzer, circa 1725, the cylindrical two stage barrel with flat cascabel and broad first reinforce cast with lifting loop and large diameter trunnions, the astragal moulded muzzle with 10 inch bore, 90cm long, maximum diameter 48cm. Provenance: The property of a private collector. Recovered from the wreck of an early 19th century Dutch East Indiaman off the west coast of Africa which was lost on a return trip from Batavia with a cargo including redundant cannon for smelting. Purchased directly from the salvers in 1980. current lot is a rare model which can be described as being halfway between a mortar and a standard cannon. The short barrel allows relatively large projectiles to be fired (at the expense of accuracy and range) whilst retaining a degree of portability and maneuverability in the field. Projectiles could either be solid, hollow (explosive) or grapeshot making this a useful weapon perhaps well suited to amphibious campaigns. Condition report disclaimer
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
