"What the blazes is this?" Topic

Well okay I know it's a cannon, but it's a right old one. It's got a very high lead content, is at least forty years old likely more. It bears a "Made in England" mark (Hurrah!) and is a spring firing beauty with a range of over six foot. It's around three inches long and one high.

Here's a few photos of it;

I'd really like to know who made it, and how rare it might be, especially in it's unpainted state.

It's not quite this :
auction

but it looks quite similar.

Aha !

Here it is :

auction

Seller says -

"These came from a box at the back of the store of an old shop – so in perfect condition. On the box is a label ALFRED FIELD & CO BIRMINGHAM ENGLAND. They are 7cm long, wheels go round, lever moves backwards and forwards – presumably to fire matchsticks, or something similarly small and lethal ENGLAND stamped along the side. "

- but he says the same on a lot of his items. I'm guessing that address was a delivery address – maybe a shop ?

So we're not much further on with the make !

I checked that and I think that the Field and Co are the makers… they made lots of things in two branches, that one in Brum, and one in Sheffield. There's also a company of a similar name with a reputation for making shotguns, but in London.

It's piece of the puzzle… still no idea on date really.

Cheers for the input