Seagoing Handgonnes | Lena Shoal and Santa Cruz Shipwrecks

This week’s #MaritimeMonday presents the early hand-held guns, also known as handgonnes, from the Lena Shoal and Santa Cruz shipwrecks. A bronze hand cannon from the Pandanan shipwreck was previously highlighted here:  https://bit.ly/bcannonpandanan.

The archaeological excavations of the Lena Shoal and Santa Cruz shipwrecks in 1997 and 2004, respectively, yielded thousands of archaeological materials including ceramics, metal, and organic materials, as well as a few naval ordnances such as early hand-held guns. The handgonne from the Lena Shoal shipwreck measures 61.1 cm long with a 2.33 cm bore diameter. The barrel is slightly tapering towards the muzzle from 1.47–1.22 cm in diameter. The handgonne from the Santa Cruz shipwreck, on the other hand, is 64.8 cm long with a 2.08 cm bore diameter. Similarly, another handgonne, possibly from the Lena Shoal shipwreck, measures 60.7 cm long with a 2.78 cm bore diameter. Its gun barrel is relatively thick at 1.71 cm, probably designed to withstand more powder charges. 

Interestingly, the term “handgonne” is an English term for the early hand-held guns, but not always necessarily equivalent to our modern handguns. The discovery of these handgonnes from the shipwrecks plying the seas during the pre-colonial period affirms the importance of the use of seagoing firearms. These light guns may seem small and may doubtfully serve offensive functions, but these were already used by merchant ships against pirates and crews of enemy ships as early as the 14th century CE (Common Era). Despite their clumsiness, lack of accuracy, and low fire rate, setting one-off could intimidate the enemy. With the right charges and aim, these guns have the killing power upon achieving a direct hit. Early records from the 13th century CE note that projectiles fired by these hand cannons could pierce through a knight’s armor.

Your #NationalMuseumPH is now open to the public with minimum health protocols. Please visit our newly upgraded ‘300 Years of Maritime Trade in the Philippines’ exhibition on the second floor of the National Museum of Anthropology Building or virtually through this gallery tour: https://tinyurl.com/300YearsOfMaritimeTradePH. Please monitor this website and our social media pages such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for booking arrangements and further information.

#Handgonnes
#SantaCruz
#LenaShoal
#MuseumFromHome
#StaySafeStayHome
#BeatCOVID19

Poster and text by the Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage Division

© 2022 National Museum of the Philippines