Falconet (cannon)

:"For other uses, see Falconet" The falconet or falcon was a light cannon developed in the late 15th century. During middle ages guns were decorated with engravings of reptiles, birds or beasts depending on their size: a snake for the culverin, as the handles on the early cannons were often decorated to resemble serpents. The falconet fired small yet lethal shot of similar weight and size to a bird of prey, and so was decorated with a falcon; similarly the musket was associated with the sparrowhawk due to its deadly accuracy. [http://www.regimental-art.com/history_greys.htm]
Its barrel was approximately convert|4|ft|m|1 long, had a caliber of convert|2|in|cm|0 [http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/cgi-bin/res.pl?keyword=Falconet&offset=0] and weighed approximately convert|500|lb|kg|0. The falconet used convert|0.5|lb|kg|2 of black powder to fire a convert|1|lb|kg|1 round shot approximately convert|5000|ft|m|0. [http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/source/is3/is3c.htm "Artillery through the ages"] ] [http://www.portsdown.demon.co.uk/ord.htm "English ordinance 1626 to 1643"] ] They could also be used to fire grapeshot.
The falconet resembled an oversized matchlock . [http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=104992224] Many falconets were in use during the English Civil War [http://www.portsdown.demon.co.uk/ord.htm] as they were lighter and cheaper than the culverins, sakers and minions. During times of unrest they were used by the nobility to defend their grand houses. [http://www.stephenwoodresearch.com/port/mil01.htm]
Though developed for use on land, the falconet gained naval prominence during the 17th century for the defence of light vessels; for example, on small boats for boarding manoeuvres. They were heavily used in the American Revolutionary War by both the British and the Colonists. [http://ageofempires.wikia.com/wiki/Falconet]

Further reading

* [http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/source/is3/is3toc.htm "Artillery through the ages"]
* [http://farm1.static.flickr.com/65/213116082_cb5a56c5e6.jpg?v=0 "Picture of a 17th century falconet] "

References