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Thefalconet was a lightcannon developed in the late 15th century that fired a smallershot than the similar falcon. During theMiddle Ages guns were decorated withengravings of animals, such as reptiles, birds or mythical beasts depending on their size. For example, aculverin would often feature snakes, 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, themusket was associated with thesparrowhawk.[1]
Its barrel was approximately 4 feet (1.2 m) long, had acalibre of 2 inches (5 cm)[2] and weighed 180 to 440 pounds (80 to 200 kg). The falconet used 0.5 pounds (225 g) ofblack powder to fire a 1 pound (450 g)round shot at a maximum range of approximately 5,000 feet (1,500 m).[3][4] They could also be used to firegrapeshot.
The falconet resembled an oversizedmatchlockmusket with two wheels attached to improve mobility.[5] In 1620s Germany a breechloading version was invented, seeing action in theThirty Years War.[6] Many falconets were in use during theEnglish Civil War[4] as they were lighter and cheaper than theculverins,sakers andminions. During times of unrest, they were used by the nobility to defend their grand houses.[7]
Though developed for use on land, the falconet gained naval prominence during the 17th century for the defense of light vessels; for example, on small boats forboarding maneuvers.
The Castelo de São Jorge in Lisbon displays a breech loading Field Falcon dating to the 14th century. The display there states:
This piece is representative of a whole family of pyrobalistic guns (falcons and falconets). They had a small bore, a long barrel, and were very versatile. Falcons and falconets appear in the end of the 14th Century and are built much like a wooden barrel (hence the name "gun barrel") using forged steel blades held together by reinforcing rings. Their versatility is demonstrated by the number of carriages we could find them in:
Also of note is the fact that this is a breech loading gun and not a muzzle loading one. Breech loading comes to being very early in cannon development; it had a number of advantages such as fast fire rate, easier loading operation etc. However mechanical and metallurgical technology were not sufficiently developed so these guns suffered from poor joints between the movable chamber and the barrel, and a part of the deflagration gasses vented from the joint reducing power and range. By late 15th Century breech loading started to fall into disuse due to new smelting technologies that allowed better muzzle loading guns.
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