Chamber for a gun

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.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-100-000-803-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland H.LH 245
Date:	16th century
Material:	Iron
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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