1586 Tsar Cannon

[Jon]

The Tsar Cannon is the largest-caliber cannon ever built. It was cast in bronze in 1586, by Andrey Chokhov in Russia, with a caliber of 35 inches, a length of 17.5 feet, and a weight of almost 40 tons.



Ornately decorated, and mounted on a similarly ornate carriage, the Tsar Cannon was created largely as a symbol of might, and was displayed in the Kremlin for visiting diplomats to view, lest they consider aggressing against Russia.

Interestingly, the Tsar Cannon observes the same manufacturing principles and naming convention of the Tsar Bell, which is the largest bell. Both are ornate, non-functional, and enormous. Note the similar aesthetic:



It's difficult to tell if the Tsar Cannon was ever fired. It's missing a critical vent hole, and there are some questions about whether it could successfully fire the enormous cannon balls that are now placed beside it in a permanent display. Nevertheless, a 1980 restoration project found some gunpowder residue in the cannon.



There's also some disagreement over whether it's technically a cannon, or a mortar, or was even intended as an enormous shotgun. A couple of replicas have been made over the years, but the original remains in beautiful shape.



Previously: Punt guns