Cannon Barrel

dated 1855 (made)
Place of origin

A cast bronze barrel, a pair to 1027B-1871, decorated with a pair of kanji, rectangular vent patch with hinge for a rain cover over the vent, rectangular block fore and rear sights, and trunnions. The barrel is of cast on construction with a small bore offset visible at the muzzle, and has been cast as a tube with an open ended breech. The breech end has been cast with an internal screw thread, and a separate breech plug which forms the cascable has been screwed into place. This method of construction is similar to the production of firearms. The pierced tapering octagonal cascable suggests a sled mounted piece with possibly a recoil rope, or possibly the method by which the plug was screwed into place.

Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Cast bronze
Brief description
A cast bronze barrel, a pair to 1027B-1871, decorated with a pair of kanji on the chase, with block fore and rear sights, trunnions and vent cover attachments, Japan, early to mid 19th century
Physical description
A cast bronze barrel, a pair to 1027B-1871, decorated with a pair of kanji, rectangular vent patch with hinge for a rain cover over the vent, rectangular block fore and rear sights, and trunnions. The barrel is of cast on construction with a small bore offset visible at the muzzle, and has been cast as a tube with an open ended breech. The breech end has been cast with an internal screw thread, and a separate breech plug which forms the cascable has been screwed into place. This method of construction is similar to the production of firearms. The pierced tapering octagonal cascable suggests a sled mounted piece with possibly a recoil rope, or possibly the method by which the plug was screwed into place.
Dimensions
  • Overall length: 31in
  • To vent length: 25.5in
  • To base ring length: 29.5in
  • Of cascable length: 1.75in
  • Muzzle width: 5in
  • Base ring width: 5in
  • Bore (calibre) diameter: 1.5in
Marks and inscriptions
  • two raised kanji (These cannon are in all respects identical)
    Translation
    tan setsu (short joint?) or ken sei (risky force?)
  • inscription (On the underside)
    Translation
    The second year of Ansei (1855) the tenth month, made by Tomioka Saheiji Yoshiyuki and Tomioka Sataro Yoshinari
Object history
Historical significance: As a result of the pressure to find metals to supply the war effort during World War II, a large quantity of historical bronze sculptures, lanterns, bells and cannon were melted down by the authorities making this a rare survivor of Japanese bronze artillery.
Associated object
1027B-1871 (Object)
Collection
Accession number
1027C-1871

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Record createdSeptember 2, 2004
Record URL
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