As far as we know guns of cast iron were first made in Italy towards the end of the 15^th century, probably the oldest still in existence having been made by a member of the Albergetti family who operated in Ferrara during the period 1487-97.

In England cast iron guns were first produced in 1508-09, not in 1543 as claimed by some historians who base their assertions on an uncorroborated statement by Holinshead, a 16^th century chronicler who 'enjoyed a great reputation'. Cast iron evidence confirms 1508-09.

Cast iron guns were favoured by the war lords because they were comparatively cheap, but not by the Gunners because they had a habit of bursting without warningn often with fatal results. On the other hand bronze guns usually forecast failure by first developing a bulge.

I shall have more to say about guns cast in both iron and non-ferrous alloys in a later chapter.