Pierrier à boîte
A Pierrier à boîte was an early type of small wrought iron cannon developed in the early 15th century, and a type of breech-loading swivel gun. It was part of the artillery of France in the Middle Ages, and the artillery of the Middle Ages in general. Perrier is the historical term in English for such weapons, literally a stone thrower}.
Also recorded as Pierrier a boite
Pierrier à boîte
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- Name
- Pierrier à boîte
- Field
- cannon
- Region
- Western Europe
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Documentary summary
A Pierrier à boîte was an early type of small wrought iron cannon developed in the early 15th century, and a type of breech-loading swivel gun. It was part of the artillery of France in the Middle Ages, and the artillery of the Middle Ages in general. Perrier is the historical term in English for such weapons, literally a stone thrower}.
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wikidata · Q7192563 · wikipedia · Pierrier à boîte
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Overview
Overview
The pierrier was a breech-loading weapon, using a powder chamber similar to a beer mug for loading of individual shots, without having to load from the front or lose time ramming charges in. The pierrier allowed for extremely fast loading and firing, as it expended charges prepared in advance. On the downside, it leaked easily, leading to loss of power and safety issues for the gunners. The pierrier was often used with a swivel. It was a weapon of choice on warships for intense and close encounters. It remained in use until the 19th century. It should not be confused with the 18th-century pierrier as described in the Encyclopédie of Diderot, which was a thin-walled wide-mouthed stone-throwing mortar (see the lower image in his Pl.
Key facts
Key facts
• Is Artillery — yes • Name — Pierrier à boîte • Type — Cannon • Origin — Western Europe • Service — 1410- • Used By — Western European countries • Wars — Hundred Years War • Designer — Unknown • Design Date — 15th century • Production Date — 15th century- • Number —? • Weight — 41.19 kg • Length — 72 cm • Caliber — 38 mm • Range —?
Gallery
Gallery
• Illustration — Pierrier à boîte, cal 72 mm, length 140 cm, weight 110 kg, seized in Constantine in 1837.
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Western Europe
Country
Pierrier à boîte is associated with Western Europe.
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Primary material
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authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q7192563: Pierrier à boîte
General reference · Wikidata
reference work
- “Pierrier à boîte”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Science and civilisation in China Joseph Needham p. 366
- 2.Science and civilisation in China Joseph Needham p. 366
- 3.Artillery Through the Ages Albert C. Manucy p
- 4.Pirates of the Pacific, 1575-1742 Peter Gerhard p. 248
- 5.Cannon → casting – [3] [Plates IX - XXV]. Encyclopedia of Diderot & d'Alembert - Collaborative Translation Project. 8 July 2010.
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 17 August 2026.
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