Hyeonjachongtong(1986)

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.885

Category

Craft

Era

조선시대

Designated year

1986

Location

진주시, 경상남도— 경남 진주시 남강로 626-35, 국립진주박물관 (남성동,진주성)

Coordinates

35.188778, 128.076941

Hyeonja Chongtong Gun is one of the cylinder-type guns that can be shot by manual ignition. As the third heaviest gun of its kind, this gun was found at Gohyeonman Bay in Geoje-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, with total length of 95 cm, barrel length of 60 cm, and muzzle diameter of 7.5 cm. The gunpowder chamber is slightly thicker than the barrel body, and the ignition hole was made on the right side of the chamber. The first Hyeonja Chongtong Gun was made during the reign of King Taejong (r. 1400-1418) of the Joseon Dynasty, and this specific gun was manufactured in 1596 (29th year of King Seonjo’s reign) according to the inscription on the gunpowder chamber. Admiral Yi Sun-sin recorded in his war diary Nanjung ilgi that he used this gun in the Battle of Myeongnyang when he destroyed 133 Japanese warships with only 12 vessels of his own. Although this gun had been under the sea for a long time before it was discovered, it has perfectly preserved its original shape, especially the inscription on the gunpowder chamber. It is deemed highly valuable for the study of the national defense technology as well as the history of Korean traditional firearms.

Location