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Authentic 17th Century Maritime Bronze Swivel Deck Cannon
Rail-Mounted Anti-Personnel Weapon – From a 45+ Year Private Collection
Up for sale is a magnificent, guaranteed original 17th-century European maritime swivel gun (deck cannon). Originally acquired in the Netherlands nearly half a century ago, this piece has been carefully preserved in a private collection ever since.
Unlike standard cannons that require a bulky wooden carriage, this light, agile weapon features integral cast trunnions (side pins). These pins were designed to drop directly into a metal Y-shaped swivel yoke mounted onto the ship\'s rail or gunwale. This allowed mariners to rapidly swing the barrel left, right, up, and down to target enemy vessels or defend against boarding parties. This specific setup was standard armament on small, fast vessels like lifeboats, pinnaces, and \"jachts\" of the Dutch Golden Age.
Key Characteristics & Authenticity Status:
* **Fully Functional Core:** Airflow test passes completely true through the muzzle straight out the rear touchhole (vent), confirming the barrel was cleanly bored and remains a genuine black-powder artifact.
* **Breech-Loading Design:** Features a multi-stage octagonal chamber block and an intact pivoted breech-locking lever mechanism. This allowed historical sailors to drop a pre-loaded powder chamber into the slot, lever it shut, and sustain quick fire without reaching over the ship\'s bow or rails.
* **Ornate Muzzle Detailing:** Finished with a beautiful, scalloped decorative \"lotus\" crown muzzle rim—a direct stylistic link to the prominent maritime trade guns and \"Lantakas\" traded extensively by European merchant networks like the Dutch East India Company (VOC).
* **Untouched Antique Patina:** Shows gorgeous historical aging with localized natural green oxidation (verdigris) highlighting the raised moldings. It has intentionally been left unpolished to preserve its maximum historical integrity.
### Condition Notes:
The barrel, trunnions, locking latch, and flash hole are all remarkably well-preserved for their age. There are minor scratches and surface wear consistent with a 350+ year old maritime artifact. Please review the detailed close-up photos to verify the exceptional structural integrity of the casting.
*Ships fully insured with tracking. Domestic and international shipping options available.*
