Lot Nr.3

A Swedish barrel for a field cannon,

circa 1630. Barrel of copper alloy with remnants of blacking. Bore is 7 cm calibre. Cannon muzzle and divided by decorative bands. Stepped trunnions on the sides. Riveted curved dolphins. Cascabel with an oval finial. Inscribed on top, "No. 3" and "JANKAV 1645". The cipher "GARS" (Gustavus Adolfus, King of Sweden) is placed in relief in front of the vent . The caster's mark is stamped in front of the vent between the dolphins. The acceptance mark, "S" has been stamped three times on top. Length 132 cm. Weight ca. 200 kg.
Extremely rare field cannon, placed in service during the reign of Gustavus Adolphus (killed in 1632 at Lützen). The inscription with the date 1645 indicates that this cannon was used at the Battle of Jankau on 6 March 1645, where the Swedish Army under the command of Field Marshal Torstensson, inflicted a crushing defeat on the German forces.
Sweden revolutionized artillery during the Thirty-Years War, by equipping their troops with light, cheaply produced field cannon. The German troops, on the other hand, were provided with only a few, mostly heavy, guns. So at the Battle of Jankau, for example, the Swedes had 80 cannon to oppose a mere 24 guns on the German side.

Condition: II

Limit: 12000 EURO

15500 EURO