Huochong

Huochong (simplified Chinese: 火ひ铳; traditional Chinese: 火ひ銃じゅう) was the Chinese name for hand cannons.^[1] The oldest confirmed metal huochong, also the first cannon, is a bronze hand cannon bearing an inscription dating it to 1298 (see Xanadu gun).^[2]

By the time of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) two types of huochong were in use. One was a hand held version with a wooden shaft known as a shouchong (手て銃じゅう) whilst the larger Wankouchong (碗わん口こう銃じゅう — bowl-mouthed cannon) or Zhankouchong (盏口銃じゅう — cup-mouthed cannon)^[3] rested on a supporting wooden frame. It was invented presumably as an advance in warfare, a new way to fight.

The Wankou Chong, translated literally as bowl-muzzle gun (Chinese: 碗わん口こう銃じゅう) was a type of Huochong gun used in the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties.^[4]^[5] The cannons normally contained black powder, a wooden block or frame to contain the powder, and a large cannonball or a group of smaller cannonballs. The cannon was most commonly used to protect Chinese ports and to defend against pirates.^[6]^[7] The cannon faded out of use gradually due to its short barrel, slow rate of fire, and short range.

Gallery

The Xanadu gun, 1298, is an example of a Wankouchong (碗わん口こう銃じゅう)
Bronze cannon with inscription dated the 3rd year of the Zhiyuan era (1332) of the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368); it was discovered at the Yunju Temple of Fangshan District, Beijing in 1935. It is similar to Xanadu gun.
Replica of Ming dynasty cannons mounted on the opposite direction of a wooden frame, 1372.
Ming Bronze Gun, 1377 AD, Hongwu Emperor's reign.
Drawing of a Chinese pole gun found in Java, 1421. It weighed 2.252 kg, length of 357 mm, and caliber of 16 mm. This gun features a rain cover connected with hinge, which is now missing. The hinge is still preserved.
Chinese hand cannon (Chong), dated 1424. Length 35.7 cm, caliber 15 mm, weight 2.2736 kg.
Ming copper cannon, 1450 AD.
A socketed Ming dynasty hand cannon, 1505, from the Zhengde Emperor's reign.