ENGLISH NOON GUN BARREL C.1850

Bronze, 4 3/8” length the tapering barrel, slightly swelled in the middle with integral trunions and spherical cascabel. Inset touch hole reservoir to hold the priming powder which was ignited by a magnifying glass on a sun dial oriented to gather the rays at noon and fire the gun. Individual clocks were reserved for the wealthy and field workers relied on noon guns and church bells to mark time. Pleasant patina from exposure to the weather.