Saturday, April 30, 2022

Cannon made in the ancient way by the forge in Flanders

 


8 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Actually, by the time the cannon depicted were made, they were mostly bronze. Medieval cannon were cast iron, but they were also brittle. Bronze, though more expensive could absorb the discharge shock much better.

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    2. Okay, I'm just reading the title of the illustration, fonte = cast iron.

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  2. Made my first one in 74'. Black pipe. Homemade powder. Guardian Angels had their work cut out.

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  3. "The Arms of Krupp"- William Manchester

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  4. I don't think those are from the forge in Flanders.
    They look more like those you see from the mill in Montego.

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  5. Medieval cannon were usually made up out of WROUGHT iron, not cast iron - built like barrels with staves and hoops. Both bronze and iron were used during the Rennaisance period - bronze was perhaps better overall, but iron was cheaper. During the 16th century England was the leading producer of cast iron artillery, and their ability to make lots of decent artillery tubes was one of the reasons why their naval gunnery was better than the Spaniards' in 1588. I think that the culverin on display at Annapolis, which dates to the early 17th century, is cast iron, but is has been 22 years since I saw it so I might be all wet.

    I think cast iron tubes may have fallen out of use during the 17th century, but they were back in use during the 19th century - I think most if not all the artillery in use during the Civil War was cast iron.

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