and Cast Iron Carriage

Gun & Carriage

This gun, which weighs 5 ¾ tons, was probably made in the Low Countries in 1607, commissioned by the Knights of Malta. It is richly decorated with a variety of images representing the Order’s religious and humanitarian role. It was brought to England around 1800 and lay at the Royal Arsenal in Woolrich until 1962, when it was transferred to the Tower.

John Hall of Dartford, Kent, made the carriage for the gun in 1827 on the orders of the Duke of Wellington, Master General of the Ordnance. It shows the Arms of Malta and scenes from the history of the island. The breech of the gun rests on an iron quoin in the shape of a Maltese dog.

Gun Carriage

Gun Carriage

12 Comments CherryPie on Mar 4th 2015

12 Responses to “Bronze 24 Pounder Gun…”

  1. Astrid says:

    What a great design. I always try to put myself in that time… how were they able to even move the gun…. How many horses were pulling it. This is some wonderful craftsmanship.

  2. ubermouth says:

    I wonder why it rests on the head of a dog though…. :)

  3. james higham says:

    Knights of Malta – quite a history there.

  4. Ha ha… I remember this odd looking Maltese dog!
    Like a half man half sheep mythical creature instead. :D

  5. Ayush says:

    a nice touch to make the rest place a maltese dog, CP. i take it the guns were loaded from the muzzle end?

  6. J_on_tour says:

    Someone give that dog a paracetamol, I know I would want one :-)