Main Sale - March 2011 : Sale A1052 Lot 301
A GOOD 1 1/4in. BORE BRONZE LANTAKA RAIL-GUN,

Product Details

A GOOD 1 1/4in. BORE BRONZE LANTAKA RAIL-GUN,
late 18th century, 48in. overall, with two-stage barrel being round and tapering for approximately half its length with an octagonal breech section, flared muzzle with raised leaf decoration and fore-sight, two barrel-bands, further raised leaves extending along the round section of the barrel from the bands and forwards from the centre section, two ornate carved 'Dolphins' to the top of the centre section together with further bands, raised running vines and leaves along the top flat, solid cast rear-sight and decorated vent-hole, crudely carved Chinese characters translating as 'Mr Fanquan' to right hand side vertical flat, flared end to breech in imitation of the muzzle with raised decoration of leaves, hollow tubular cascabel possibly for a wooden aiming handle and carved with 'tally' marks, the central trunnions fitted with a bronze cast pintel-mount decorated with raised leaves and a tapering 'spike' mount, the whole mounted on a later four-wheeled wooden trolley, TOGETHER WITH a file of research and correspondence on this and Lot 300
Estimate £1,300-1,600