Art of Play - Wonder by Design

Brass Cannon Puzzle

Brass Cannon Puzzle - Main image
$14 $28 In stock

Category: Brainteasers

Just like a real cannon, the goal of this puzzle is to get the cannonball out of the barrel. You can hear the ball rattling around inside and you can even see it if you look carefully but the opening of the barrel is just slightly too small for the ball to escape…

There’s no simple, single move—no straightforward solution. This is a type of puzzle known as “sequential discovery” which means you’ll need to find the steps, and perhaps, discover hidden tools, to complete the challenge. The Brass Cannon Puzzle is based on a wooden version called “Cannon and Ball” which was described in Professor Hoffmann's book Puzzles Old and New in 1893.

Give it a shot! We think it’s a great introduction to one of our favorite genres of mechanical puzzles.

Customer Reviews (5.0 / 5 · 5 reviews)

Stella R. ★★★★★

The rattling sound when you tilt it is incredibly satisfying, and the moment the ball finally drops out feels like a genuine little victory. I caught myself grinning like an idiot when I spotted the opening after a few minutes of fiddling.

Eva ★★★★★

I was skeptical at first that such a simple-looking brass barrel could hold a ball so securely, but the precision of the fit is genuinely impressive. You can see the cannonball peeking through the opening just enough to taunt you, and solving that clever release took me a good fifteen minutes of hea

Matthew E. ★★★★★

The rattle of the ball inside is what sold me—it’s so satisfying to finally hear it pop free after I tilted the barrel just right. The brass finish feels weighty and solid in my hand, and I love that you can peek through the opening to see your progress.