Identify old Spanish characters pls

Discussion in 'Metalware' started by springfld.arsenal, Aug 12, 2021.

  1. springfld.arsenal

    springfld.arsenal Store: http://www.springfieldarsenal.net/

    The 3 characters in question appear on an 18th C. Spanish bronze weapon. The tube is about 3 ft long, 7 in. Dia at rear and 5 in. Dia. At front (intentionally using more common terms to avoid alienating some ppl.). The inside dia of tube is 2 3/4 in., closed at large end. I’m guessing weight of tube is about 150 English pounds but not sure. The characters in line indicated by abc definitely are there to show the tube’s weigh in Spanish pounds. Some ppl are telling me “a” must be “2” but I’m not sure because I don’t think the tube could weigh 247 lbs., but I could be wrong. It isn’t mine and is too far away to visit so photos are all I have to work with. Looking for “educated opinions.”

    https://flic.kr/p/2mgFbp1
     
  2. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    The picture is getting covered by a ticky box questionnaire about cookies.
     
    Any Jewelry likes this.
  3. springfld.arsenal

    springfld.arsenal Store: http://www.springfieldarsenal.net/

    Ok trying to post a reduced photo directly

    7FE01CB6-3830-4B65-A7B4-7BA5D2CC976A.jpeg
     
    kyratango likes this.
  4. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    I also read 247.
     
    kyratango likes this.
  5. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    Libra 41 & ½
     
  6. springfld.arsenal

    springfld.arsenal Store: http://www.springfieldarsenal.net/

    ’’

    Thx for all replies. D2, did u mean Libra 47 & 1/2?
     
  7. springfld.arsenal

    springfld.arsenal Store: http://www.springfieldarsenal.net/

    Ok D2, I see similarity in the Libra symbol and character “a” which seems to be what u meant. A googling fetched that one, I guess being exactly the UK pound sterling symbol.

    421DFD5F-D465-47C5-AEC3-7FC3646B6F38.jpeg
     
  8. springfld.arsenal

    springfld.arsenal Store: http://www.springfieldarsenal.net/

    A rationale for “a” being other than a “2” might be the fact that “c” is certainly a “2” as the denominator of the fraction shown, and is formed quite differently from “a”. In my past inspections of similar Spanish weapons with weight marks, when fractions of a Libra are marked, 1/2 is the only fraction I’ve seen, maybe the average foundry scale was known to have limited accuracy or the smallest balance weight used was 1/2 Libra.

    I’ll revisit other Spanish tube weight inscriptions soon and maybe this one will make more sense. I’ll also find another tube with similar dimensions and weigh it.
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2021
  9. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    No I think it is a continental 1 rather than a 7 with a crosslet.

    upload_2021-8-12_16-12-24.png
     
    Fid likes this.
  10. springfld.arsenal

    springfld.arsenal Store: http://www.springfieldarsenal.net/

    Thx. I’m really confused about this weight mark so I looked for photos of one with similar dimensions. And wouldn’t-cha know the weight marks are completely different. The @ symbol is for “Arroba” which I thought equals 100 Libra. Edit: Spanish Arroba = 25 lbs, so this copper cannon is 100 + 18 Libra, = 118 Libra. I think that’s about right but I’ll see if I can get its actual weight.

    https://flic.kr/p/2mgJHjw
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2021
  11. springfld.arsenal

    springfld.arsenal Store: http://www.springfieldarsenal.net/

    So the actual scale weight of the copper cannon is 115.7 English pounds. The marked weight converted to Libras is 118.

    converting the old Spanish weight to English pounds:

    118 Libra x 1.014 Lb/Libra = 119.7 Lb.

    So the copper cannon has lost 4 Lbs. since it was weighed at the foundry where it was manufactured. The weight loss is probably due to copper on the bore surface having been eroded or vaporized by firing, as well as chemical action over time.
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2021
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