Shown here is a Portuguese Lantaka Rail Cannon. It was discovered by one of the founders of the Hunley. I was told this dates between 1600 and 1740. It's 32 1/2 inches long. As you can see it is in excellent condition. ebay, 27 feb 2012, US $2.000,00 [ 0 biedingen ] (EUR 1.514,23) justinfolly |
The Swivel Rail Cannon or Lantaka types of cannon were produced throughout Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines (Mindanao), and also in Holland. Although the somewhat generic term “Lantaka” may be derived from a Malaysian dialect, it is generally applied to cannons of this unique design. They are usually not longer than 2 meters (6.5 feet); they have a unique first reinforce octagonal design and a heavy swivel at the trunnion. They usually have a short tube at the breech for inserting a long wood rod enabling the gunner to train the gun and stand back from it.
These cannons may be as small as six inches in length (Although most average out at two to four feet). We have seen rare examples as long as nine feet! Most of these highly prized collectables are working cannons that have been extensively used in salutes, ceremonial firings, conflicts, as well as a form of local currency. The more cannons a man possessed the greater his wealth and he “paid” for a wife, a water buffalo, or whatever with a certain “weight” of cannons!
Usually the better quality Lantakas were cast by the Dutch and Portuguese colonials after 1650. Finer detail, design, and quality control prevailed as many were founded in Holland for export to the Spice Islands. A number of foundries were also located in Java and Sumatra, in particular, Batavia (Now Jakarta) – which was the capital of the Dutch East India Company in Indonesia.
These guns were primarily used as “currency” for trading for spices. The Portuguese Lantaka were usually cast in Malaysia and Borneo (What is now Brunei) up to the early 1600's. They were not as refined as the Dutch but rather set the standard design which the Dutch would later replicate, embellishing them with various designs. These cannon can occasionally be viewed in the more remote villages throughout the Indonesian and Malaysian archipelago.
The most extraordinary examples of intricate designs are found in Brunei, where they have recently been banned from export. There are over 3,000 of these fantastic cannons located in the armory of the Royal Brunei Museum, with about 36 currently on display.
