A breechloading cannon from The Collections from Korea, <i>Ethnographischen Reichmuseum zu Leiden</i> (Ethnographical Empire Museum of Leiden). Information:<br>Prof. Schlegel draws our attention to the fact that the Chinese language does not have its own word for breech loaders, so it is very doubtful whether this gun was invented in China itself, but that on the other hand the same has been known to the Portuguese for centuries. (Compare about this in WF Mayers: <i>On gunpowder and firearms in China</i> pg. 96).<br>These cannons also can be found on individual islands of the Malay archipelago, for example the Museum of the Bat. Gen. v. Künsten en Wetenschappen has a copy that is near Pare, West Sumatra and a second that found in Deli, East Sumatra and the <i>Museum van Oudheden</i> in Leiden has one of those from Java. Inv. M-521a-c. (See C. Leemans, <i>Beschrijving van de Ind. Oudheden</i>, Leiden 1885 pg. 101). In addition, the deceased general Governor L.A. J. W. Baron Sloet van de Beele has a piece, along with two others on the Bawean island has been excavated.
Uploader's note: Looking at the zig zag floral pattern near the breech, it is likely this cannon is originated from Nusantara archipelago. Such pattern can be found in Indonesia (<i>tumpal</i> pattern). The dragon-shaped muzzle, although broken, can be seen with crown atop its head, a characteristic of Javanese Nāga. This cannon would be very likely cetbang breechloading cannon from Java.
J. D. E. Schmeltz
Intern. Gesellschaft für Ethnographie; Rijksmuseum van Oudheden te Leiden (1888-). Internationales Archiv für Ethnographie. Getty Research Institute. Leiden : P.W.M. Trap.<br><a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="https://archive.org/details/internationalesa04inte/page/108/mode/2up">https://archive.org/details/internationalesa04inte/page/108/mode/2up</a>