Coehorn

A Coehorn is a type of short-barreled mortar, typically characterized by its portability and relatively light weight. Developed in the late 17th century by Dutch military engineer Menno van Coehoorn, it was designed for siege warfare and field use, providing direct fire support at shorter ranges than larger siege mortars. Coehorn mortars were muzzle-loaded, smoothbore weapons, firing spherical projectiles, often filled with explosive or incendiary material, at high angles. Their simple construction and ease of deployment made them particularly effective for breaching fortifications and harassing enemy positions. The Coehorn saw widespread use in European armies throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.