Watch List notes:

Chinese bronze hand cannon, 1500s-1600s. 254 grams, 4-1/2" long. A forerunner of the handgun, the hand cannon was widely used in China from the 13th century onward and later throughout Europe in the 14th century until at least the 1560s, and now is rarely seen outside museums. It was hand-held, without lock, and fired without a fuse. Cast bronze, with floral decorations on the sides, in very good condition with greenish brown patina from age. Purchased circa 1940s from Francis Bannerman's Sons, a well-known military store in New York City. With photo-certificate.
($500-750)