An important French Napoleonic bronze Pierrier cannon dated ...

Hammer

£3,800

An important French Napoleonic bronze Pierrier cannon dated 1804 model 1786, the base ring inscribed “Fecit de J’ - Denis”, “an. 12” (1804) and the swell of the muzzle features a large feathered arrow. Further inscribed on the trunnions, one side bearing the gun’s weight, "173" French pounds and the other ‘No. 222’. 40½in. (103cm.) long, bore 2 7/8in. (7.3cm.). *The year "an.12" if from the French Republican Calendar which lasted for thirteen years from late 1793 until 1805. The model 1786 is regarded as the first French standardized swivel gun and remained in use by the French Navy until 1854. Pierrier’s were relatively short guns, this example measuring 40½in. (103cm.) firing medium weight (1lb), solid shot, designed for close range engagement. In this period, bronze cannons were preferable but more costly in material and time to produce, thus only a small percentage of cannons made in France were bronze, most were of iron. Consequently, any bronze artillery of this age is rare since many were melted down and the valuable metal recast as required for later conflicts.

More Information

*Good condition.