3976

Unità di misura: mm; Diametro: 145; Lunghezza: 1203

bronzo a fusione

Thanks to its particular suitability for casting and its greater density, bronze allowed the construction of cannons with thinner walls than those of similar iron pieces. However, the greater fragility of this alloy due to overheating caused by prolonged firing, and above all its significantly higher cost compared to iron, led to an increasing prevalence of iron artillery in the naval field from the early 17th century onwards. This small cannon looks like a smaller version of the French 4-pounder. The ratio between length and calibre is 18. The solid iron spherical projectile fired by this weapon must have weighed less than a pound (probably 14 French ounces, equal to 428 g); it must therefore have been used to arm an armed launch (lifeboat), or simply for salutes and signalling.