Dear Peter,
I was writing of the earliest cannon of the 14th and 15th centuries rather
than the 16th century. The 14th century references are almost all for stone
or lead, or even arrows, rather than iron. However there is one possible
reference to cast-iron shot in 1408, for Ghent.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Hutchison" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, December 16, 2000 1:11 PM
Subject: Re: Metal moulds for cast iron
> Ruth
>
> The Pirotechnia of Vannoccio Biringucchio was published in 1540. His date
of
> 1495, when he was 15 and Naples was attacked by King Charles of France, is
> likely to be correct for the first iron cannon balls used in Italy. The
> troubled Kingdoms of Italy meant that Biringucchio
> was widely travelled but he was a founder and armourer so should know
about
> such things as casting cannon balls.
>
> I am in no position to argue with Cyril Stanley Smith about whether iron
> musket
> balls were earlier.
>
> Peter
>
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