Pre-1800s Cannons

First Cannons

The Battle of Crécy during the Hundred Years' War on August 26, 1346 may have seen the first real use of a cannon on the European battlefield, which were used only in small numbers by a few states during the 1340s. Ribaldis, a type of cannon, were first mentioned in the English Privy Wardrobe accounts during preparations for the battle between 1345 and 1346.These early cannons are said to have been constructed of wood and fire a rounded stone. The use of the cannon in the Battle of Crécy ended classic chivalry and infantry could now defeat knights on horseback.

Hand Cannon

Hand cannon from the Mongol Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368)

The hand cannon was a simple weapon, effectively consisting of a barrel with some sort of handle, though it came in many different shapes and sizes. Although surviving hand cannons are all completely constructed of metal, evidence suggests some were attached to a wooden stock. Some Chinese illustrations even show bamboo tubes being used as cannons. For firing, the cannon could be held in two hands while someone else ignited it, or held with one hand and ignited with the other. The cannons were ignited with burning wood or coal, hot iron rods, or slow-burning matches. Hand cannons ammunition included pebbles found on the ground, shaped balls of stone or iron or arrows.