Item Description
Original Item: One-of-a-kind. The Chinese are credited with the invention of Gunpowder in the 9th. The Western traders, most probably the Portuguese introduced it to Europe where it was used as a weapon. The earliest of those weapons were small hand held cannons on long shafts followed by fixed Rampart Guns used to repel invaders from the city or castle walls.
During the Victorian age of 1837-1901, it was found that virtually no totally original Rampart guns remained. All that remained were the small 15th century barrels, therefore, various armory museums rebuilt these old cannon barrels into life sized functional examples of these very primitive weapons.
Watch the IMA team test fire an Original 15th Century European Rampart Swivel Gun with Victorian Era Mount:
The classic book GUNS by DUDLEY POPE in 1965 features just such a Rampart Gun at the opening of chapter Two on page 25 "The arrival of the Gun". Page 25 features a full page photograph of a virtually identical example to the one on offer here.
Acquired from the estate of an old New England collection this example is most impressive and we were even able test fire it using a small charge of black powder.
Standing 21" tall and 22" in length at the widest point, the barrel is just 7" long with a 1.25" bore. We believe that the barrel dates to the 15th century but the wood and iron mounts are most certainly 19th century Victorian recreations.
Offered inn remarkable condition with the appearance, of being totally authentic, this makes a wonderful display item from the time of the Battles of CRECY (1346) and AGINCOURT (1415).
Substantial but not heavy making it easy to display, this Cannon is offered with a copy of DUDLEY POPE'S 1965 book GUNS to provide historical context for the item.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to posses, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms).
Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world. These antique guns are not sold in live condition. They are sold as collector’s items or as wall hangers. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe.
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon