Cannons Through History

Pre-1800s Cannons:



Falconet Cannon
This cannon fired 1-pound round shots and grapeshots. It was used on ships, due to their light weight, although they were invented to be used on land. This cannon wasused heavily in the American Revolutionary War and eventually helped to lead the colonies to freedom. It was developed during the 15th century.



Tsar Cannon
This cannon is one of the world's biggest cannons, invented and used in Russia. The Tsar Cannon fired 800kg grapeshot for ammunition. It is the only one ever made of its kind, aside from a replica. The cannon is now stored inside the walls of the Moscow Kremlin. It was invented in 1586 in Moscow by Andrei Chokhov.


1800s Cannons:

Gatling Gun
The Gatling Gun was used in the Civil War. It was designed with six barrels that rotated around one central rod and shot through one barrel at a time. It saw very limited use, but paved the way for future, more successful cannons (and machine guns). Some say it is the first ever prototype for the modern-day machine gun. It was designed in 1861 by Richard J. Gatling and was patented in 1862. While in use, it fired .58 caliber ammunition.

Napoleon Cannon
This type of gun made up 40% of the Union and Confederate artillerary. It was first cast in 1862 in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was mainly used in the Civil War, good for short-fire and long-fire. It fired 1.5 inch iron balls.

3-Inch Ordnance Rifle
The 3-Inch Ordnance Rifle was used in the Civil War, both in the Union and Confederate artillerary. It fired solid bolt, common shells, and cannisters. This gun could fire ammunition up to 1,830 feet! It was invented by John Griffen and made of wrought-iron.

1900's Cannons:



Howitzer Cannon
 This cannon was used in World War I and World War II. The Howitzer Cannon fires shells at high speed and trajectory. They're often used in groups called "batteries" for defense. This type of cannon was invented in Sweden at the end of the 17th century. Despite the date of its invention, this cannon has mainly been used in the 20th century, and even in present-day with bigger models.


Railway/Railroad Gun
The Railroad gun was used in both World Wars, mainly in Germany. The idea for the cannon first appeared in the United Kingdoms in 1860s, by a Mr. Anderson, but the idea did not really come around until the 1900s. This cannon was used to counter a northern attack on the Confederate capital, Richmond VA.