2-913-702 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Lancaster's Oval Cannon, 1854. Cannon with oval bore intended to project spherical case shot. '1. Horizontal Longitudinal Section of Gun. 2. Vertical Longitudinal Section of Gun. 3. Transverse Section of Breach of Gun. 4. Conical Ball. 5. Transverse Section of Mouth of Gun. Mr. Lancaster's principle of oval boring...enables conoidal masses of iron to be shot from rifled ordnance, as conoidal masses of lead are shot from rifled small-arms. Lancaster's cannon occupies the same relation to ordinary cannons that Minie rifles do to ordinary muskets...the secret of Lancaster's oval projectiles will ultimately transpire; not however, we hope, and believe, until they shall have done good duty against the strongholds of the Russian aggressor'. From "Illustrated London News", 1854.