Original 19th Century Bronze Lantaka Swivel Cannon Barrel from the East Indies – Circa 1800-1820 Original Items

Original Item: One of a Kind. Here we have a wonderful original bronze Lantaka swivel cannon barrel, dating to about 1800-1820. While these were used throughout South East Asia, this style is from the “East Indies”, more properly known as South Eastern Asia. These were used only at close quarters, used to fire lead balls, stones and other debris while mounted on boats and other ocean going craft during the age of Sailing.

Our example measures 32 1/4″ in length and has a 1.12″ bore, built to traditional lines it has a muzzle flared out to 3 3/4″. It bears some very nice tasteful cast in decorations, and the cannon comes complete with an integral brass swivel mount for use at sea or land fortification. It has the correct socket at the back, which allowed a pole to be inserted to aim the cannon.

The cannon is very heavy, weighing in at 40lbs, a good sign as later copies are much lighter and sometimes are filled internally with foam to be sold as fakes.

Totally authentic but not too big to display in home or office.

Specifications:-
Bore Diameter: 1.12”
Overall Length: 32 1/4”
Width at Trunions: 5”
Ignition System: Touch Hole
Weight: 40 lbs

Lantaka or rentaka was a type of bronze portable cannon or swivel gun, sometimes mounted on merchant vessels and warships in Maritime Southeast Asia. It was commonly equipped by native seafaring vessels from Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei, and Malaysia. Lela and rentaka are known by the Malays as meriam kecil (lit. “small cannon”), the difference is that rentaka is smaller in length and bore than a lela.

The name may stem from the Malay word lantak, which means “hammering down” or “ramming down”, referencing its loading process (muzzle-loading). Ramrod in Malay is called pelantak. The Malay word rentak means “stamping the feet in anger”, “pounding the feet together”.

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country’s antique gun laws prior to ordering.