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<p>[QUOTE="springfld.arsenal, post: 9493294, member: 54"]Deciphering the Chinese Mystery Cannon</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Here we have the small cannon’s composite translation, roughly, but not always, in the order appearing on the cannon. Below text includes bits sent by five people with diverse backgrounds, including two professors. These generous contributors have mentioned the archaic language causing difficulty. Some can read the characters but their meaning is not clear. IF YOU CAN IMPROVE THE TRANSLATION PLEASE CONTACT ME.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>-The cannon was produced in 1843 during the reign of Qing Emperor Daoguang (r. 1820—1850). (2d: 道光 二十三年)</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>-The cannon was manufactured and/or owned by Viceroy of Zhili, Nerginggae. (2e: 直隸總督 訥爾經額, r. 1841--1853) cf. The viceroy of Zhili administered today’s Hebei and Henan provinces, Tianjin, and some area of the Shandong Peninsula. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>-The cannon contains zinc of some 88 grams (two liang <some 80 grams> and two qian <some 8 grams>) (4a: 鉛子二兩二錢). {I don’t understand this given that gunmetal bronze is normally 90% copper and 10% tin, perhaps zinc was an additional metal}</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>-Serial number “30”</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>-Chief Production Officers - “Qing Ma, Kui Yu, Jilin zhou”</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>-Work supervisor name “Ma Hing”</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>-Number of pieces in this production lot: “32”</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>-Bottom section: “Weight of gunpowder to use =1.7 old Chinese ounces, Weight of lead ball: 2.2 old Chinese ounces”. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>-The words meaning literally “Eat pure medicine” </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Note on the large, crudely-carved symbols near muzzle: Front symbol may be a rendering of the Taiping coat-of-arms. Next Symbol resembling a trident may represent some unit or office within Taiping Army {speculation only}. These symbols indicate that the cannon was captured by Taiping forces from the original Qing owners..</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Here are still photos of the cannon and characters on it: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/189102681@N07/shares/1516q55G57" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/189102681@N07/shares/1516q55G57" rel="nofollow">https://www.flickr.com/photos/189102681@N07/shares/1516q55G57</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Here’s a video showing cannon and characters: [MEDIA=youtube]5P80pufPaCs[/MEDIA]</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>7/20/2023: Compiled by John L. Morris for Nancy, the cannon’s owner[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="springfld.arsenal, post: 9493294, member: 54"]Deciphering the Chinese Mystery Cannon Here we have the small cannon’s composite translation, roughly, but not always, in the order appearing on the cannon. Below text includes bits sent by five people with diverse backgrounds, including two professors. These generous contributors have mentioned the archaic language causing difficulty. Some can read the characters but their meaning is not clear. IF YOU CAN IMPROVE THE TRANSLATION PLEASE CONTACT ME. -The cannon was produced in 1843 during the reign of Qing Emperor Daoguang (r. 1820—1850). (2d: 道光 二十三年) -The cannon was manufactured and/or owned by Viceroy of Zhili, Nerginggae. (2e: 直隸總督 訥爾經額, r. 1841--1853) cf. The viceroy of Zhili administered today’s Hebei and Henan provinces, Tianjin, and some area of the Shandong Peninsula. -The cannon contains zinc of some 88 grams (two liang <some 80 grams> and two qian <some 8 grams>) (4a: 鉛子二兩二錢). {I don’t understand this given that gunmetal bronze is normally 90% copper and 10% tin, perhaps zinc was an additional metal} -Serial number “30” -Chief Production Officers - “Qing Ma, Kui Yu, Jilin zhou” -Work supervisor name “Ma Hing” -Number of pieces in this production lot: “32” -Bottom section: “Weight of gunpowder to use =1.7 old Chinese ounces, Weight of lead ball: 2.2 old Chinese ounces”. -The words meaning literally “Eat pure medicine” Note on the large, crudely-carved symbols near muzzle: Front symbol may be a rendering of the Taiping coat-of-arms. Next Symbol resembling a trident may represent some unit or office within Taiping Army {speculation only}. These symbols indicate that the cannon was captured by Taiping forces from the original Qing owners.. Here are still photos of the cannon and characters on it: [URL]https://www.flickr.com/photos/189102681@N07/shares/1516q55G57[/URL] Here’s a video showing cannon and characters: [MEDIA=youtube]5P80pufPaCs[/MEDIA] 7/20/2023: Compiled by John L. Morris for Nancy, the cannon’s owner[/QUOTE]
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