Hello!

We have in our collection a small sundial cannon, called either a time gun,
a noon gun or a cannon dial.  It was developed in the early 1800's and is a
horizontal sun dial usually on marble or stone, with a miniature cannon and
two brackets that support a burning lens.  The lens is calibrated for the
noon sun and when it hits the lens, the cannon goes off.  Does anybody have
any information on these objects, know of a publication about this or
anything else that would help us to properly identify what we have and to
date it.

Thanks for your help!

Lauren Friedman
Carnegie Museum of Art

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