← Explore on the interactive map

Ming Hand Cannon

Type Object Region China Time c. 1380–1550

The Ming hand cannon was an individual handheld firearm of the Ming dynasty, cast as a short bronze or iron tube that fired lead or stone balls, form…

Timeline

  1. 1421–1422Beijing · BeijingAfter the capital was moved to Beijing, the Shenjiying and Capital Garrison infantry were issued hand cannons according to establishment tables, mixed with long shields and bows and arrows, undertaking close-range firepower duties in imperial palace patrol and city gate defense.
  2. c. 1424–1427Xuanfu · HebeiGarrison troops of the Nine Frontiers were equipped with hand cannons on city walls and beacon towers, coordinating with bowl-mouth cannons at long and short ranges to repel scaling enemies and conduct close-range ambushes; bronze hand cannons cast with the Yongle and Hongxi era names serve as material evidence.
  3. 1428–1430Nanjing · NanjingDuring the Xuande reign, the Ministry of Works and the imperial household's cannon-casting bureaus further regulated hand cannon barrel length, caliber, and powder chamber proportions; some pieces added rear and front sights, and the design was disseminated to the garrisons of both northern and southern capitals through Capital Garrison drills.

Sources