Posted on 12/15/2024 8:21:22 AM PST by CFW
A bronze cannon used by Spanish conquistadors in the 1540s and unearthed by archeologists in Arizona is the oldest firearm ever found in the continental U.S. — and more than 200 years older than the first guns ever in Wyoming.
The 42-inch-long, 40-pound piece survived as long as it did only because it was made of bronze, Wyoming historical firearms expert Dick Blust told Cowboy State Daily.
Back in the 1500s, many firearms were made of iron, but not this one.
“I have no reason to doubt it (being the oldest firearm ever in the U.S.),” he said. “The reason that it’s not just rusted away to nothing is that it’s bronze. If it would have been iron, it would have been gone.”
Archeologists think the cannon was used during a 1539-1542 expedition led by Francisco Vázquez de Coronado.
It was found at the site of a small Spanish stone-and-adobe settlement, and likely placed there in 1541.
It was a “wall gun,” or relatively small artillery piece used to either defend a wall or breach an enemy wall, according to historians.
(Excerpt) Read more at cowboystatedaily.com ...
I thought Freepers might find this bit of history interesting. What a find!
Maybe see what the Pawn Stars will offer?
Almost 500 years old, and several generations older than Jamestown colony. That’s impressive to consider. The Spanish were hauling heavy ordinance around deep in the heart of America long before the English colonies came into being.
Yuppers...
Coronado got around!
The left will want it turned in at the next gun “buy back”.
Very very impressive.
And it should fetch a hefty payout.
I went to the page, read the story, and in scrolling down, discovered an interesting story about a cow that ate 19 sticks of dynamite…….😖
Rick just put in his bid.
I’m curious where it was actually found, but I didn’t see that detail. And why is this article in a Wyoming publication? Interesting reading.
It makes sense that the cannon would have been used in a fixed position, Blust said. Lugging a 40-pound hunk of bronze around while exploring what is now the southwestern United States wouldn’t have been practical.
Tell it to the Marines. They’ve lugged 81mm mortars around battlefields, and each of those parts is over 30 pounds. And rounds are 10 pounds each. Yeah, not quite the same thing.
Judging by the picture at the site, if the cannon is 42” long, the barrel OD is only 2-2.5 inches. It couldn’t be a very large shot.
I’ve seen a few really interesting and memorable articles from Cowboy State Daily posted here.
As to the picture I included in this thread, I reduced the size and may have gotten the dimensions a bit off. I sorta squished it. LOL!
Go to the article site to get a better idea of the length of the gun.
I would make an offer to buy it before it was turned in. Like $50 over the turn in price. I don’t have a wall canon yet.
Lol. That’s a good one.
“The Spanish were hauling heavy ordinance”
Let us give credit where it is due.
Their horses did that.
:-)
You big city folks don’t appreciate certain things.
Me, too. I subscribe to it.
"That's cool. I got a buddy who knows about old guns. Do you mind if I call him?"
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