Hand cannon, hand gun, handgonne - first easily portable hand held firearm circa C15th, here with woman gunner

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Hand-Goone (hand cannon) - the first easily portable hand held firearm. This earliest model used a simple powder touch hole to ignite the charge. Late 1300s to 1400s. Firing was unreliable, but considered more effective against armor than piercing weapons and gunners did not require the level of training needed by bowmen. A trident shaped linstock is also shown. Sir John Savile's Household is a C15th Living history and re-enactment society. Background distractions removed - subject matter unchanged.

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Size: 3375px × 5063px
Location: Sherwood Nottingham UK
Photo credit: © wyrdlight / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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