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BRONZE CANNON BARREL – BEARS THE CIPHER OF DANISH
KING CHRISTIAN IV (1577-1648) – VERY ATTRACTIVE
ARTILLERY PIECE: This is an attractive bronze
cannon barrel of the size associated with salute or
ship’s rail guns.
The top of the barrel features an integral casting of
the cipher of King Christian IV of Denmark-Norway who
reigned from 1577-1648 and is well known for his efforts
to increase the size and influence of their navy.
Included with the photographs of the cannon below, I
have included two examples of the king's cipher for
comparison to that which is on the barrel.
The bronze barrel weighs 22 pounds, measures 21" long
from the outside curve of the caseable to the face of
muzzle, 2.75" across the breech and the bore is
.75". The touch hole is drilled through to the bore,
and the bore is open for its full length.
I have sought out numerous opinions from experienced
cannon collectors as to whether this barrel is original
to the 16TH-17TH Century era of
King Christian’s reign or is a reproduction. The
general consensus is leaning towards it being a
reproduction or recasting which was executed later than
the king’s reign, but not necessarily of modern or
recent manufacture. From what I have been able to
determine, during the second half of the 19TH
Century there was a dramatic growth in recreational
sailing in Europe and the Americas. As the sailing
community formalized into established yacht clubs and
recognized competitions, in addition to the construction
of the multi-masted racing schooners and luxury yachts,
these wealthy sailors also sought out ship fittings that
recalled the Golden Age when sail rigged ships dominated
the high seas and represented their nations’ interests
around the globe. This was particularly true as their
navys’ wooden ships under sail were replaced by iron
plated steam powered naval vessels – a change that was
resisted or at the very least, regretted as a loss of
romance and identity. One of the ways in which this
nostalgia was manifested was in the manufacture of
historically correct or reminiscent cannons for use as
salute or signal cannons aboard the yachts. Most of
these were cast in bronze and many featured the royal
ciphers of monarchs who were instrumental in developing
their nation’s navies. That King Christian IV would be
so recognized with the inclusion of his cipher on one of
these salute guns makes perfectly good sense given his
commitment to the Danish Navy during his reign.
Regardless of its origin, the size and weight of this
very attractive tube is quite handy and it displays very
easily without requiring its own room or building as
some of the larger cannon barrels do, and better yet,
you don't need an eighteen wheeler fitted with its own
crane to move it. I have been a little torn between
keeping this one or selling it, but after reminding
myself I can't keep it all, it’s now on the block.
There are any number of sources for gun carriages of the
field, siege and shipboard styles and I’ve left it up to
the next owner to decide which one best suits his
purposes and preference. Far more impressive than one
of the toy or hobby sized cannons, this barrel will be a
special addition to your collection whether in your
display room, mounted on the wall of your hacienda, or
rendering that special pirate flavor to the bow of your
bass boat. (0103) $2500
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