Jan Brueghel the Younger of Antwerp, Belgium. "Venus at the Forge of Vulcan" circa 1605.

Note the canons behind Venus and Vulcan. While difficult to see, there is also a drill and mold for canon.


Detail of grinders at the water driven grinding wheels.


Detail of the water driven trip hammer.


For detail of some other sections: http://www.karlofgermany.com/brueghel.htm

It is easy to understand how the centers for armour, swords and weapons started producing canon. From there to shoulder arms and eventually sporting arms is not a long road.

Pete