1638 Bronze 4-Pounder Tower of London
Horsmonden made brass cannon in the Tower of London
The armouries of the Tower of London have a total of seven cannons made in Horsmonden. There are two large brass cannons (shown above) made for Charles I and five small training cannons made for his son, the Prince of Wales who became Charles II. All of them were cast in 1638 and were cast in the presence of Charles I’s visit to Horsmonden on the 5th October that year.
Small Bronze Gun
Shown above right. Charles I witnessed the casting of a gun on a visit to Horsmonden on 5th October, 1638. A small bronze gun in the Tower (No. 38) bears the inscription CAST IN THE PRESENSE OF HIS MAJTY OCTO THE FIFTH 1638.
The gun is inscribed with a crowned Tudor Rose between the initials C and R.
Royal Armoury description
This barrel boasts a prominent base ring and fillet on the breech side. A plain cascable has three fillets and a moulding at the neck of a curvaceous button with a fillet at its pointed tip. This style of button is characteristic of John Browne the founder. On the muzzle side of the base ring is a fillet and ogee marking the start of the vent field. At its end is a vent field astragal and fillets before the first reinforce. At the end of the first reinforce is a first reinforce ring and ogee heralding the start of the second reinforce where the trunnions are located at a very low level. There is a chase astragal and fillets with a fillet on the breech side and an ogee on the muzzle side. The chase ends with a chase astragal and fillets. The muzzle is flared and there are several mouldings. This gun is virtually a pair with XIX.182 but in better condition having been far less worn by polishing. On the second reinforce in relief is a crowned Tudor rose between the initials CR, for Charles. On the first reinforce is incised the number 4, below which is the inscription MOVNTIOY EARLE OF NEWPORT Mr GENERALL OF THE ORDNANCE JOHN BROWNE MADE THIS PEECE 1638. Below again is the weight 2-2-25
Keyfacts
Founder: John Browne
Type: Brass Gun
Cast: 1638
Material: Bronze (Brass)
Weight: 2-2-25
Shot: 4 pound
Distinctive markings: On the second reinforce in relief is a crowned Tudor rose between the initials CR, for Charles. On the first reinforce is incised the number 4, below which is the inscription MOVNTIOY EARLE OF NEWPORT Mr GENERALL OF THE ORDNANCE JOHN BROWNE MADE THIS PEECE 1638.
Current location: Tower of London White Tower
RA Object number: XIX.170
Useful Links
Further Reading
The Armouries of the Tower of London: Ordnance Vol 1 by H.L. Blackmore
Comprehensive guide to the ordnance of the Tower. The John Browne cannons are covered in this book.