{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O112332"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O112332/"}},"images":null,"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O112332","accessionNumber":"1027E-1871","objectType":"Cannon barrel","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This is a well executed Japanese copy of a French pattern of mountain howitzer developed in 1828. This specialised weapon was designed to be transported by mule team in terrain impassable to wheeled vehicles. It clearly demonstrates that Japanese gun founders were experimenting with contemporary European weapon designs in an effort to modernise. It was probably made during or shortly after the French Military Mission to Japan in 1868-69.","physicalDescription":"A cast bronze Japanese version of a French 1828 pattern 4.5 inch Mountain howitzer, with a raised mon on the chase depicting antlers or leaves. It has a pin foresight and three drilled holes in the cascable for attaching a percussion gunlock. This was an ignition device widely adopted from the time of the Mexican and the American Civil Wars.","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"bronze","id":"AAT10957"}],"techniques":[{"text":"cast","id":"AAT53104"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"cast bronze","categories":[{"text":"Arms & Armour","id":"THES48992"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"EAS","id":"THES48596"},"images":[],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"001","id":"THES342977"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Howitzer","id":"AAT36958"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Japan","id":"x29399"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"probably 1868-1871","earliest":"1868-01-01","latest":"1871-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Length","value":"33","unit":"in","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"to base ring","note":""},{"dimension":"Length","value":"4.5","unit":"in","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"cascable","note":""},{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"7","unit":"in","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"base ring","note":""},{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"4.5","unit":"in","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Bore","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"raised mon","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"above trunnions"}],"objectHistory":"Historical significance: As a result of the pressure to find metals to supply the war effort during World War II, a large quantity of historical bronze sculptures, lanterns, bells and cannon were melted down by the authorities making this a rare survivor of Japanese bronze artillery.\r\n\r\nThis piece supports the documentary evidence that Japanese founders were using European artillery models, in an attempt to close the developmental gap in artillery design in the early 19th century. It is also an example of the influence of French military expertise used in the modernisation of the Army.","historicalContext":"This is a Japanese copy of the Obusier de 12 de Montagne, Modele 1828, a pattern of  French 12 pounder mountain howitzer which first appeared in Europe in 1810. It was included in the Valée system implemented in the 1820s. It was designed for breakdown into three mule loads, including ammunition chests, and weighed under 500 pounds. Because of its greater hitting power (weight for weight) compared with other small cannon and its light weight giving it greater mobility, the design saw service around the world well into the 1860's, notably in Mexico and the American Civil War. Examples of the design even found their way to the Panjab where Sikhs manufactured copies as early as 1843.\r\n\r\nThe howitzer was used to fire exploding shells at a high trajectory. It was capable both of indirect fire, or of being used to fire canister at close range directly at an enemy with devastating results. The 4.5 inch calibre brings this Japanese cannon much more in line with ordnance in use with European field armies of the period. ","briefDescription":"A cast bronze Japanese version of a French 1828 pattern 4.5 inch Mountain howitzer, with a raised antler mon on the chase, Japanese, mid to late 19th century","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Robinson, B W, <u>Arms & Armour of Old Japan</u>, London, HMSO, 1951"}],"production":"Probably designed during or shortly after the French Military Mission to Japan 1868-9 and accessioning in 1871","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["1027E-1871"],"accessionNumberNum":"1027","accessionNumberPrefix":"","accessionYear":1871,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-02-23","recordCreationDate":"2005-05-24","availableToBook":true}}