any Military Historians in ? advice sought on family heirloom

[eddie1]

Family heirloom is a small Royal Naval Cannon
Measuring just 90cm from one end of the (very heavy) brass barrel to the other,
47cm from ground to top and with a bore of 6cm diameter.

Inscribed "Captured at the storming of Canton, Dec 1857"


pics here
https://www.flickr.com/gp/81835354@N05/ev01yWDjsS

Most naval cannon were much bigger and heavier than this so I assume this was from a smaller gunboat of the type which Wikipedia tells me were used at the
battle of Canton (second opium war).

I'd like to donate this to a UK museum its in excellent condition for its age.
But I'd also like to know more about it, such as its calibre and where it may have been made (Woolwich Arsenal ?)

But also why a British officer would have taken a British cannon as a souvenir of a battle in China ?

[geordie]

What an utterly fabulous thing to have in the family.

[TheTigerUK]

I know nothing about it but what a great heirloom, good luck finding it a home.

[Sinnlover]

The caliber will be the diameter of the bore in inches, https://www.arc.id.au/Cannonballs.html
I am guessing this was used with canister / grape shot.
Re the maker, it would usually be marked on the barrel somewhere maybe underneath or close to the fuse hole.
I am guessing the carriage is a later addition if removed from a boat.
It’s a very cool bit of history.

[tertius]

Pretty sure RN cannon in those days were generally iron not bronze, so would guess it’s more likely a Chinese cannon, which would match to the “captured” inscription. From the calibre it would be around a 4 pound shot.

The carriage looks non-original - perhaps made by the navy after capture?

[Sinnlover]

Pretty sure RN cannon in those days were generally iron not bronze, so would guess it’s more likely a Chinese cannon, which would match to the “captured” inscription. From the calibre it would be around a 4 pound shot.

The carriage looks non-original - perhaps made by the navy after capture?

I think you are correct, the bore is not a standard caliber for the RN. The Chinese copied lots of European weapon designs during this period- complete with spurious makers marks in some cases (and continue to do so to this day.)

[TheFlyingBanana]

It could be a signal or salute cannon - used for, well, signaling and ceremonial purposes.

Fabulous thing and quite valuable.

[Bravo73]

<snip>

Inscribed "Captured at the storming of Canton, Dec 1857"
"Capt Charles Kendal Bushe 59th Regiment"

<snip>

I'd like to donate this to a UK museum its in excellent condition for its age.

A quick google would indicate that the 59th (2nd Nottinghamshire) Regiment of Foot have been amalgamated several times since 1857 and are now effectively part of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke...r%27s_Regiment

They have several regimental museums (representing the various historic regiments) and I’m sure one of them would love to display this piece of regimental history.

[lew07]

Lovely!! Send some photos to Fort Nelson in Portsmouth Hampshire.I’m sure they would be able to help. Better yet visit in person

[eddie1]

Thanks Everyone for responding to my post with very helpful and useful information.
I will contact the museums suggested.