Medieval Hand Cannon Value Guide

The Medieval Hand Cannon represents the dawn of personal firearms, serving as a miniaturized artillery piece that revolutionized 15th-century siege warfare. These specific German cast iron barrels were designed to be mounted on wooden poles, signaling the historical transition away from traditional knightly combat.

What Is Medieval Hand Cannon Worth?

The typical price range for Medieval Hand Cannon is $150 - $165 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Structural integrity of the cast iron, specifically the absence of modern welds or heavy corrosion.
• Presence of original casting marks or regional German proof symbols from the 1400-1450 era.
• The overall condition of the touch-hole and whether the barrel remains unburst from historical use.
• Market demand for early European black powder weapons, currently placing value between $150 and $165.

How to Identify Medieval Hand Cannon?

• Verify the material is authentic cast iron consistent with 15th-century German metallurgy.
• Look for a primitive touch-hole located on the top or side of the barrel for match application.
• Check for a hollowed socket or mounting point at the rear designed to receive a wooden tiller or pole.
• Examine the bore for signs of early casting techniques rather than modern rifling or machining.

History of Medieval Hand Cannon

Hand cannons represent the first true personal firearms in history, appearing in Europe during the 14th century. These primitive weapons were essentially miniaturized artillery pieces. They were fired by applying a hot wire or match to a touch-hole while the gunner held the wooden tiller under their arm. Though inaccurate and prone to bursting, they revolutionized siege warfare and signaled the end of the medieval knight's dominance on the battlefield.