Find Spot record 16049 - Metal Detecting Find from Stapeley Farm

<1> Portable Antiquities Scheme, Various, Portable Antiquities Data Import, WMID-B10537 (Digital Archive). SCH5212.

An incomplete lead alloy probable toy cannon of late Post-Medieval dating circa AD 1700 to circa AD 1800.The model is comprised of a circular barrel, or cascabel, which tapers in diameter from the bulbous knop, or cascabel button, at one end to the muzzle at the other (which is now missing, presumed lost in antiquity). The cascabel end is slightly fluted with a double banded collar and two trunnions or basal lugs (sub rectangular protrusions) for attachment to a block or stock project two thirds of the way along the remains of the barrel. Present by the lugs is another section of double banded collar decoration. The barrel is solid, with no central hole. The model measures 64.6 mm in length, has a diameter of 21.7 mm at the cascabel end and 15.9 mm at the muzzle end. It weighs 145.2 g. The model is a white to light brown in colour and has an even patina. Abrasion caused by movement whilst within the plough soil may have resulted in the loss of some of the original surface detail. Due to being made from lead and the absence of the chamber within the barrel, it is probable that this is a model of a cannon, probably for the production of toy cannons. A similar miscast lead alloy toy cannon was recorded on the PAS database as LVPL-DDA857 (see 2).

<2> The British Museum, Portable Antiquities Scheme Online Database, WMID-B10537 & LVPL-DDA857 (Web Site). SCH5176.