hi i have an iron key (gun) possibly continental , it looks just like a giant castle door key. it is 11.25 long and has a .45 bore which is tapered to about .625 for ease of loading . the barrell is 4.125 deep and has a brass fitting sweated on back of key to enable it to to be fired like a small cannon. the bow i have been told looks french, any of you scholars out there got any ideas what it is. i bought it many years ago thinking its probably faked , but was intrigued enough to splash cash, the key has age to it, light rusty patina all over and i have actually fired it with gunpowder. hope someones in the know .
regards martin
hi again its been suggested to me that the key was not made as a real key , but the primary purpose was of a gun to keep slaves in check whilst below decks, if the poor wretches tried rioting or escaping the key gun would be discharged into the crowd, from the safe side of iron bars, wounding or killing some poor soul the impact on the slaves would have been devastating , the wounding the flash smoke smell noise and fear.
to the slaves from africa one key probably looked much like anyother the next time an ordinary key was pointed their way they wouldn’t know if its key or a gun. martin.
your thoughts please very rare item or old tat ????
