Public domain

Flint gunlock for a 12-pounder cannon on a wooden breech

Brignol, Rijkswerf Vlissingen · 1820 · iron (metal); rope; wood (plant material); brass (alloy)

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

Cannon were traditionally fired using a lighted fuse, a method that always entailed a certain delay. Replacing the fuse with a flintlock enabled the cannon to fire immediately. From 1810, the Dutch Navy introduced flintlock mechanisms on cannon, known as gunlocks. The wooden dummy (the breech) was intended to show the gunmaker the exact position of the flintlock.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description

Subjects

flintlock

Credit lineFlint gunlock for a 12-pounder cannon on a wooden breech. 1820. Brignol, Rijkswerf Vlissingen. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.

Open in Explore View at source