For the story however I think there is a Dwemmer expert who has bean studying these ruins for years, ( could be that one from Markarth) he states that he came across a Dwarven mechanism that is unlike thing he has sean. He doesn't not know where it is located but has idea where it might be. You travel to a Dawvenn Ruin, that has a Explorer who was looking for the Hand Cannon. After reading a note dropped by him, it reads that him and two other's are in diffeerent ruins who have located keys to a sector of Blackreach. After getting these keys, you go to blackreach, insert the key's. After walking in and search some, a Dawven Centourin Master attacks.
A little long, but for a powerfull weapon like this it should have a powerful journey.
Nah. There shouldn't be a quest for the Dwarven Hand Cannon. It should be extremely hidden.. My idea is, the hidden part of Blackreach will eventually lead to another huge area that is even deeper into the earth, than Blackreach.. This deeper area would be smaller than Blackreach but is like a set of Dwarven Towers built with bridges to each one.. Cause below there is lava.. The Hand Cannon should be hidden somewhere in here and there should be a few corpses of treasure hunters that tried to find it before.. They'll have notes on it.
Also, Calcemo (I think that is his name) will offer you 10,000 Gold Pieces for the Hand Cannon is you find it and decided to sell it to him.
~Edit~
The area should have Falmers and Dwarven enemies... There will be a special guardian for the cannon... I want this now cause well... I wanna Fus Ro Dah some Falmers into de' lava.