Reduced-scale model of a 15-inch swivel gun

This reduced-scale model was created to be a sixth (1/6th) of the original size and represents a 15-inch catapult, which complied with the royal order of 1732. Appearing at the end of the 17th century, swivel guns are variants of mortars which, contrary to the latter, did not fire bombards but fired buckets of stones. They were one of the first anti-personnel artillery weapons. This swivel gun is ornamented with decoration set out by the 1732 order: the breech bears the crowned French coat of arms atop a trophy of arms, and a faun's head decorates the flash pan. On the back of the barrage, the words Sencere Gigante (Benign Giant) encircles the lightning bolts, while the barrage also bears the dedication—Company of chevau-légers of the King's Guard. The swivel gun is mounted on a reversible wooden carriage. The piece is accompanied by a wicker basket, which is inserted inside the bore of the firearm.