Chamber for a gun

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This iron chamber for a breech-loading gun was found in Fife. It dates from the 16th century. Chambers were loaded with powder, slotted in the back of a barrel and held in place by a wedge until the gun was shot.

The chamber has a handle on the top side.

Guns often had two or three chambers which allowed a chamber to be loaded with powder while another was fired. This greatly increased a gun's firing rate.

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• Online ID: 000-100-000-803-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.LH 245
• Date: 16th century
  
• Material: Iron
  Breech block, cannon
  
• Dimensions: 222 mm L x 90 mm max W x 155 mm max D
  
• What: Breech block, cannon
  
• Subject: Firearms (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Fife
  
• Event:
• Description: Iron breech block of a cannon, from Fife, 16th century
  
• References:
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