A 600-year-old medieval hand cannon dating back to circa 1400 could sell for thousands of pounds at auction after being used to decorate a garden rockery.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: “It’s a rockery rocket of a find. The bronze hand cannon was brought at a flea market in Hertfordshire for less than £20. The seller was unaware of its true context and added it to their rockery as a decorative touch.
“When we came to assess it properly we were amazed. It’s a heavy, bronze, triple-ring cast cannon. This type of weapon was seen in late medieval Europe around 1400-1450. It was the first true small weapon of its kind, the most mechanically simple form of metal barrel firearm.
“Perhaps it was used by a knight in shining armour. In more than 20 years in the antiques business I have never seen one like it. My only knowledge of medieval hand cannons has come from reading about them in reference books.
Hand cannons were widely used in China from the 13th century onwards. They made their way onto the battlefields of Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries. The first use of this type of gun powder weapon is known to have taken place around 1330 by two mounted German knights. By 1340 weapons like these were widely used in France and England. The first English-sourced mention of a handheld firearm dates back to the early 15th century.
“It really is a remarkable find,” said Charles. “Originally this cannon would have been mounted on wood with a powder bag and ram rod. It evolved to become a match-lock firearm with trigger.
“It’s incredible to think this historical treasure ended up in a rockery. We will never know how the original seller discovered it but, looking at remnants of soil on the cannon, we suspect it may have been dug up.”
The hand cannon, lot 191, will be offered in Hansons’ Militaria Auction on June 15 with an estimate of £2,000-£3,000 – more than 200 times its flea market price.
To find out more, email [email protected].
Hansons offers free antique, collectables and jewellery valuations in Hertfordshire and surrounding counties courtesy of Hanson Ross. To find out more, visit www.hansonross.co.uk.
