A very fine and original London made 12 pounder carronade circa 1780-1815. This is one of two from a distinguished local estate that are being sold in this auction. The carronade is a shorter, usually shipboard cannon designed by the Carron Iron Works in Glasgow, that fired a larger, hollow round that had great smashing power at close range, ideal for ship-to-ship action. These guns were made the C.J. Oliver f0undry at Wapping in London, which later became the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. In all likelihood this gun was made for the Honourable East India Company, as it has no British Ordnance marks. The HEIC was also somewhat technologically more forward-thinking than the Royal Navy, and initially began arming their ships with carronades sooner and to a greater extent than the Royal Navy, although by 1790 the Royal Navy was beginning to catch up. These guns display some of the earlier characteristics of their type, so HEIC use seems most likely, making these guns even more of a rarity. Size: This gun weighs about 1500 pounds, has a 4 1/2 inch bore, and is 43 inches from muzzle to cascobel. On the carriage it stands 28 inches tall, and is 50 inches long overall. The gun is mounted on an oak ship's carriage. Shipping to be arranged by purchaser. Condition: Both guns and carriages have been painted repeatedly. The paint on the carriages is showing its age, as is the wood of the wheels in particular. The guns themselves re in remarkable condition for their age, and with appropriate cleaning and maintenance are outstanding specimens of this important ship-board gun.