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Photograph
 
 
Gun Information
 
Type of Gun: Smooth Bore Muzzle Loading 4 Pounder
(Blomefield Pattern) 17 cwt, 6 feed on Reproduction Wooden Naval Carriage
Serial Number: 127
Date of Manufacture: 1803
Manufacturer: Carron
Calibre:  
Weight of Projectile:  
Range:  
Historical Specifics: View
Location: View
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Historical Specifics:

There has been sufficient corrosion and pitting to ‘fade’ the Royal Cypher, and obscure the trunnion markings. Observation of the right trunnion and rubbings taken reveal the possible marking of 6P.

Observation of the left trunnion and rubbings taken reveal the possible last three digits of the serial number, as above, the likelihood that the maker’s name is CARRON, and a possible date of casting as 1803.

Present Location: On Right hand side of the front steps of the main building of the New Military Barracks, Kingston, Norfolk Island. Custodian: Government of Norfolk Island.

This gun may have been on Norfolk Island from date of casting (unknown) to 1814 when first settlement on Norfolk Island was abandoned, or during the period of the second settlement from 1825 to 1855. The trend was for more modern pieces such as this to filter to far flung locations after the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815, and so the second settlement is the preferred choice when one considers that in 1814 all such items would have been removed. As per ‘THE SIRIUS PAST AND PRESENT’(Henderson and Stanbury 1988):
a) an 1838 illustration shows two guns mounted in front of Government House,
b) a contemporary document states that the two aforementioned guns were moved to the New Military Barracks in 1841, and

c) a photograph of 1895 shows two guns, probably those at point b), lying on the ground in front of those Barracks which appear to be the same as this one and its sister piece. The gun was restored in 1985 and this is presumably when the current carriage was also constructed.

         
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