Baffled by cannon cauldron cart

I’ll show the cannon model this “came with” after a while so as to avoid kornfuzion with the subject item. What military/artillery function did the full-sized version of this fulfill? I know something about the subject matter but as to this, frankly IHNI.

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item Overview
Description: This set of two carriages appear to be a companion to the rifled cannon listed separately (Lot #1645). One piece appears to be the limber to that cannon, with two steel rimmed 7" wooden wheels, with a carriage made from steel with wooden planks. The second carriage has 9-1/2" steel rimmed wooden wheels with a steel frame and some sort of boiling cauldron, with a steel shield and open topped box. CONDITION: Excellent. WZ Condition: Dimensions: 11" X 25" X 15".

 

Springfield I always enjoy your posts because they are about a subject matter that I know nothing about and only familiar with by touring Civil War battlefields. What I wanted to ask you - is that fine fellow in your avatar yours?
Kiko

 

Yes, Zorba is about 2, and 12 lbs. Loves to be brushed hard all over with stiff straw broom.

 

So here’s the cannon model it “came with.” I’d date the model 1860-1880 because it has a rifled bronze barrel and the military use of those is pretty strictly limited to that timeframe. I think the cannon and cauldron models are either inventor or arsenal models due to the high level of detail.


Item Overview


Description: Superbly detailed hand crafted miniature cannon 21" long by 10" wide and with a 11" rifled solid brass barrel with flash hole. Two wood lined steel ammo boxes, wooden muzzle cap with leather straps, cleaning brush ramrod with canvas cover, and various ranging and cleaning rods with wood and metal construction, are some of the finely detailed components. Two 9" wood spoke wheel with steel fittings throughout, steel barrel mounting hardware, carriage fittings, and metal water bucket are additional details. CONDITION: Excellent with a nice age patina. WZ Condition: Dimensions: 9 - 1/2" X 22" X 12 - 1/2".

 

Zorba is adorable. Here I always imagined you surrounded by Mastiffs not a sweetie that likes to be broomed.

 

Beautiful model.

I would guess some kind of steam cleaning apparatus?

 

looks like a portable bootleggers wagon liquor still too me .whiskey bottles in the back box .