Part 3/11:
The collector describes his fascination with the cannon, which was in the news due to a tragic accident during dismantling. A worker attempting to remove a retainer pin—an essential component securing various parts of the gun—accidentally caused a catastrophic release. The pin, about 13 inches in diameter and two inches thick, was cut with a torch. As he moved in front of it, the pin unexpectedly gave way, releasing a coil spring over a foot in diameter with enough force to kill the worker instantly—his head was struck by the spring, and he was hurled down the staircase, making headlines and becoming part of local lore.