British Blomefield Cannon (24-pound)

3D Model

An exploded 24-pound Blomefield Pattern cannon at the Blockhouse Ruins in Antigua. This pattern of iron cannon was developed by Thomas Blomefield (1787-1815), identifiable by the rounded breech and the distinctive ring cast into the breech and cascabel. The Coat of Arms of George III (reigned 1760-1820) cast into the second reinforce and a broad arrow on first reinforce indicate a government gun. The base ring has sight scales and the vent platform is drilled to accept a flintlock ignitor, indicating naval use. The left trunnion is marked “WCo” indicating manufacture by the Walker Company foundry in Rotherham, UK, and the right trunnion is marked with a “505” serial number. Ordnance in Antigua was generally of poor quality in Antigua due to two factors: old guns entering into the service already worn compounded by poor maintenance once the guns were deployed. There are multiple accounts of cannons exploding on the island due to poor quality/disrepair and injuring the British soldiers who fired them.