Miniature Indonesian cannons, mainly
in the Lantaka style, were popular in the East Indies starting in the 16th Century, where they were mounted
on small ships as swivel guns. In smaller sizes, they were also considered a form of currency and used as a badge
of rank and for personal protection. The small ones were not only intended for use as weapons, but were admired for their
beauty.

Presented is a bronze cannon barrel which we believe to have been cast in Indonesia, replicating an 18th
Century ships cannon. It has been mounted on a high quality, varnished Mahogany, ship’s style gun carriage. The cannon has
a pronounced flared barrel at the front with a large central reinforcing band from which the trunnions extend at the center
and another large band behind the touch hole which has a dam around it, and lastly a large size cascabal. Its proportions
follow that of a ship’s long gun, and it is without markings. The carriage is beautifully made and has a sliding aiming block
at the rear to elevate and lower the barrel. It appears to have been made more recently than the tube and is likely of European
origin. 

CONDITION: The cannon has rough bore and on its exterior,
a rich natural patina with green overtones. The trunnions are cast as part of the barrel which is traditional.
The trunnion caps are cast and heavy duty. There are no mold marks. There is an old “U” shaped
crack in the left side of the tube. The touch hole has a rim around it and is clear to the bore which runs the length
of the barrel. The carriage is from a later period, and is exceptionally well made and finished. Two of the wheels of the
carriage are held on by replacement shims and two are original.

 

This fine example
of a miniature ship’s cannon of the 18th Century is being sold for display purposes only. Like all old cannons,
it should not be fired!

DIMENSIONS:

Barrel
15 1/4″ LOA   Diameter at each reinforcing ring 2”, 2 1/4”
2 1/2”
Bore
11/16″ 
Carriage 8“ L x 7“ W x 5 1/2“ H    WEIGHT: 10
1/2 lbs

crack in barrel

Prominent touch hole with dam

Typical wheel assembly with original shim

11/16 inch Bore

HISTORY: Usually the better quality cannons were cast in Holland, Europe and England starting in the 1600’s.
These were finer in detail, design, and quality then those that were made in the Dutch Indonesian Spice Islands.
The miniature ones were intended as a badge of rank, presentation piece, for personal protection in close in fighting,
as a signaling device, or as a form of currency. The quality of this casting indicates that its origin was likely in
Indonesia in the 19th or 20th Century. Ref. “The
Might of the Miniature Cannon” by Alex Teoh E.K., 2005