posted 10-11-2005 01:10 PM            

I don't know, however, if the marks mean your piece was made in Malta or when it was made.

Good luck,
Tom

posted 10-11-2005 02:30 PM            

Thank you for posting your photos, but those are just decorations on your cannon. I believe they are meant to represent the kinds of crests that old cannons used to have on their barrels to signify which country they were made in. If these were on a real cannon, those would be the important markings that would tell you where the cannon was made and who was the king or queen of that country when it was made. For a small model of a cannon that could have been made anywhere and at any point in time, they do not give any clues.

What we need to see are the marks that a silversmith or silver assay office adds to a piece of silver. These markings are often found on the bottom of an object, or along an edge somewhere, and they are very, very small in size. There will often be 3 or 4 such markings found next to each other.

Does your cannon have these? If it does, then we may be able to help you determine where and when it was made, and the kind of metal it is made from. Sometimes we can also help you determine the company or the silversmith who made it.

posted 10-11-2005 03:09 PM            

Kimos observation suggests that the canon might also be a miniature replica of a real one. Such items are often sold as souvenirs at historic sites. Can provide a picture of the whole item? Also, more info on how and where you acquired it would also help.

Tom

posted 10-11-2005 03:43 PM            

The canon barrel itself is 10 inch long (25 cm)

posted 10-11-2005 04:35 PM            

You have a very accurate miniature replica of an 18th naval cannon. A real gun would have been made of brass. The stair-step gun carriage (wooden platform on which the gun is mounted) was typical of that era. Ropes attached to it absorbed the gun's recoil to prevent it crashing across the deck of ship during battle. Such guns were also placed on the ramparts of fortifications such as the forts guarding the harbor at Malta (anywhere space for recoil would have been a problem). I think your cannon reproduces an actual piece used to defend the island. I walked around the harbor defenses when I was there.

I did some research and found that the cross mark was used to designated silver items made in Malta, but I don't have a detailed enough source to tell you more than than that. Malta is still known for equisite silver work. I bought some very nice filagree crosses when I visited there last year.

I suspect your piece may have been made to commemorate an event. Is there any sign that a plaque or plate was ever attached to the gun carriage or the stand on which it sits?

Tom

posted 10-11-2005 06:21 PM            

Thanks for the info and yes there once was a little plaque attached to the stand But is gone now.

By the look of it the item was made in the nineteenth century (This was told by the former owner)He told me this was probably an official government present for officers or high ranking officials.

The weels and canonballs are silver too.

I never saw anything like this before.

posted 10-11-2005 10:35 PM            

The arms appear to those of either Grand Master Jean de la Valette Gallus 21/8/1557 - 21/8/1568 or Jean de la Cassiere Gallus 30/1/1572 - 21/12/1591 but check the Knights site for comparison.

Am unable to make out the maker's initials.