“Royal cipher for 8 inch calibre cannons”

The “cipher”, formed of two or more letters, which could already be seen in buildings, monuments, noble carriages, etc., was brought into general use to identify and decorate artillery pieces in the XVI century. Here we can see the cipher of King Charles III, set into an oval with the royal crown of Spain on top. The approval of the original design signed by the count of Lacy, Inspector General of Artillery, is at the foot. Fábrica de Artillería de Sevilla.