Original Gunner’s Callipers added to FWA collection

Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna has added to its steadily growing collection of original historic artefacts which it places on display at its various heritage sites and museums, an original set of late-18^th century English gunner’s callipers. The acquired example is made in brass and is steel-tipped. It is engraved with measure scales and sector lines on its limbs. It measures 177 millimetres in length and 49 millimetres in width. Callipers of this nature were developed in the 16^th century to measure the bore of cannon and round shot. Measurements were taken with the steel-tipped points at the end of the calliper legs. The callipers consist of two flat blades which are hinged so that they slide freely over each other, permitting the steel tips to point either inwards to take the diameters of shot or outwards to measure the bore of a gun. In this example, scales at the hinge give diameters in inches and the corresponding weight of iron shot. This example will be included in the new museum display at the Saluting Battery in Valletta.