Iconic Firearms Collections at Auction, Day Two

Iconic Firearms Collections at Auction, Day Two

Monday, March 16, 2015  |  10:00 AM Eastern
Auction closed.
Iconic Firearms Collections at Auction, Day Two

Iconic Firearms Collections at Auction, Day Two

Monday, March 16, 2015  |  10:00 AM Eastern
Auction closed.
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Description

An Event for the Ages, this highly anticipated fresh to the market offering will be the focus of those passionate about firearms history.12 prestigious collections will be featured.

James D. Julia Inc.


(207) 453-7125
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Pg : 3 of 26

ARSENAL MODEL OF 20" RODMAN CANNON.

Lot # 2050 (Sale Order: 51 of 639)      

NSN. This is a unique manufacturer's model of the massive 20" Rodman cannon, no doubt made at the Ft. Pitt Foundry. The overall length of this model is about 45-1/2" with bbl length of about 24-1/2". Bore diameter is 2-inches which makes this a 1/10 scale model. This model has the remains of a complete set of muzzle markings, which are corroded, but part of "TJR" for Thomas J. Rodman can still be discerned. Other muzzle markings would have included the date, registry number and weight. Modern forensic techniques should be able to make those markings visible. The marks and quality will be similar to those on the 15" Ft. Pitt model and this larger piece is almost certainly their product as well. It is mounted on the correct type iron carriage. The full sized massive Rodman cannons were manufactured under Rodman's use of solid casting, among the first large cannon made with this technology, which Americans excelled at during the Civil War era. For a cannon this large the casting process took several days and involved many tens of thousands or maybe hundreds of thousands of gallons of water for cooling the core of the casting to relieve internal stresses caused by the older, "solid casting" method. Ft. Pitt Foundry was the first to use Rodman's patent for hollow casting guns. The first prototype 15" cannon was cast December 23, 1859. During the Civil War era only two 20-inch Rodman guns were made. According to Olmstead, Stark and Tucker in their text The Big Guns "of the two 20-inch guns known, only the first is documented. At least one other, also recorded was evidently sold to if not actually cast for the government of Peru." The two surviving cannon are now located at Ft. Hamilton, NY and Ft. Hancock, NJ each weighing in at a mere 58 tons per tube. Projectiles weighed 1000 lbs and no target could stand up to such a weapon. No wonder so few were made. This particular model is in fine condition and presents quite well. PROVENANCE: Denny Pizzini Collection, George W. Starke; Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Smooth, black painted and patinaed surfaces with pitting. Bore is rusted and pitted. 4-54245 JS146

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RARE & UNIQUE PAIR OF MOFFATT PATENTED BREECH LOADING CANNON.

Lot # 2051 (Sale Order: 52 of 639)      

Richard R. Moffatt of Brooklyn, New York patented and produced for trials a new matching pair of cannon, one being a 12-pound smooth-bore and the other a 3.4" rifle, both utilizing his 1875 patented breech system that reinforced the breech area with less metal in bbl itself. Moffatt had earlier experimented with breech loading cannon during the Civil War and at least one of his designs was tested at the Washington Navy Yard in 1863. This pair of mostly steel construction are very well made with reinforced band at center of tubes and with trunnions on its lower projection. The center of these bands has areas for pivot of the strap-type breech. A long 30" lever at back of cannon pivots the breech-strap such that a bottom hinged breech block opens, exposing area for deployment of cartridge. A modern 90mm gun casing fits the smooth-bore gun quite well. When the breech is closed, the breech block has a vent that goes to center of casing where various ignition systems could be employed but as now made takes a friction primer. This pair of cannon were made to fit the boat Howitzer cartridges that were currently in use by USN for 12-pounder & 3.4" rifles. Though there are no markings on either tube, these are no doubt the patterns Moffatt made for trials as illustrated in his US Patent of February 16, 1875 (Patent #159834). An entry in the US Navy's "Record of Miscellaneous Guns" in the National Archives records these two guns as having been received at the Boston Navy Yard from the Boston Iron Co. in Feb. 1877. This is a remarkable pair of unique tubes and the only pair ever made. A video link on our website shows the function of breech - which is amazing for speed rounds can be fired. These cannon are both fully functional & ready for action. PROVENANCE: Bannerman's Lenox Resort, Eastover, Massachusetts; Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Both cannon measure about 70" overall including mount with 55" bbls, 13-1/2" wide at breech, 12" trunnion to trunnion. 2" integral front blade sights are present with a 1/4" chip on 12-pounder. 12-pounder breech mechanism works well and there is a modified 90mm cartridge that fits breech quite well. Bores in both tubes are smooth & very good, rifling in rifle tube is quite crisp & well discerned. Consigner's business can supply two types of steel cartridge cases which are easily modified to make usable cases for 12-pounder and 3.4-inch weapons respectively . Tubes are mounted on almost identical, pivoting steel mounts with steel 11mm (.45") mounting plates. Stands and tubes are painted black overall, surfaces are quite smooth. Rifle has an iron screw in vent & smooth bore has a brass vent. Both have a large brass spanner nut intake attaching a cylindrical downward projection about 10" long & 3" diameter, , threaded inside to mate with the existing elevating screws of the Dahlgren field carriages. All orig with restored levers. 4-54243

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JOHN DAHLGREN'S PERSONAL MODEL "NINE INCH SHELL GUN NO. 2".

Lot # 2052 (Sale Order: 53 of 639)      

NSN. This fabulous model was originally made at John Dahlgren's direction in 1853. This 1/8th scale model is marked "9-INCH SHELL GUN NO. 2". The No. 2" refers to his second and final design for the famous 9-inch gun-No. 1 design having been much less streamlined, was discarded after only one example was made. There is no doubt that this model is described in minute detail in John Dahlgren's personal design notebook for the 9-Inch gun found at The Library of Congress. John Dahlgren's notes precisely match the 17.56 pound weight, the 16.5" length overall and 1-1/8" bore and the name inscribed on tube as can be seen in photos. John Dahlgren in his notebook calculates the density of this model noting that a full scale gun made to these dimensions would weight 9,114 pounds. Dahlgren describes in his design notebook how he used the bbl model, weighing it in water then in air, and balancing it on knife edges to ascertain the exact breech preponderance, a weight which greatly concerned him. Thus he had no use for a carriage for the model, and none exists (see photos). Indeed surviving 9" Navy guns are very close to this weight. Registry number 117 cast at Tredegar Foundry, Richmond, VA was aboard the USS Hartford during the Battle of Mobile Bay, all 9,000 pounds of it. This is an outstanding historical model with impeccable aesthetics and provenance. PROVENANCE: Ordnance Museum, Washington Navy Yard. Retired Admiral's Estate, Annapolis, MD. Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Fine overall with dark iron patina, markings easily discerned. 4-54083 JS125

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HOTCHKISS TWO-POUNDER RIFLED BREECH LOADING MOUNTAIN GUN ON ORIGINAL CARRIAGE.

Lot # 2053 (Sale Order: 54 of 639)      

SN 60. Bbl measures 46" with 1.65" rifled bore. Hotchkiss mountain guns were first tested by the U.S. Army in 1881, having been purchased from the famous Hotchkiss Company in Paris. The guns were ideal for use in rugged terrain, such as the American West, since the entire weapon weighed only 362 pounds, and could be broken down into parts so that a gun and its ammunition could be transported on three mules. The gun could fire quite rapidly since it was used fixed (but separately primed) ammunition. In fact, this was the first U.S. artillery piece to utilize fixed metallic-cartridge type ammunition. Two basic types of ammunition were issued, explosive shells with impact fuzes, and canister. The former was effective to 3500 yards, and the latter to a few hundred, against personnel or animals. Four of the guns made history on December 29, 1891 at Wounded Knee Creek, Dakota Territory. They had been positioned on a hill near where U.S. Troops were disarming Sioux Indians when firing broke out in the Indian camp. The battery began firing to support the troops. The Sioux lost over 150 of their number, and were so badly beaten that they never fought again, thus finally ending the Indian Wars. Hotchkiss 2-pounders were also used in the Spanish-American war. This particular example made in 1881 is as fine and complete example as can be found. Accompanying this cannon is an extensive file of historical and technical details. Gun was converted to centerfire by Rock Island Arsenal in 1905. The friction primer fitting remains on the breech, so the external appearance on the gun is much the same, but a percussion firing pin has been added inside the breech block. The firing mechanism is automatically cocked on opening the breech and released by pulling on the lanyard attached to the release loop below the breech handle. Prior to gun's conversion it was listed as being in Manila at the end of the Spanish American War in 1902. A large framed photo of the famous Hotchkiss battery taken shortly after the battle is included. Though dated 1881 this gun was contracted as 1 of 11 guns purchased by the US Army in 1880. Accompanying this gun are 15 centerfire cartridge casings and lead projectiles and a fine reproduction adjustable sight that fits gun mount on breech. An original wood-and-brass cleaning rod is mounted in the rod brackets on the side of the carriage, and an original corrugated steel 22-round ammunition shipping drum is also included. This fine Hotchkiss rifle has large file of research and provenance. PROVENANCE: Reilly Gunter Collection; Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Fine overall. Surfaces all appear orig except carriage was repainted long ago. Markings crisp and clear, excellent crisp rifled bore, and fully functional. 4-54096 JS133

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EXTREMELY RARE COMPLETE SET OF PACK SADDLES & ACCESSORIES FOR HOTCHKISS MOUNTAIN RIFLE.

Lot # 2054 (Sale Order: 55 of 639)      

As stated in last description of the fine Hotchkiss Mountain rifle being offered, gun & carriage were carried by two horses or mules and a third animal carried ammunition. Each animal carried a special designed saddle: saddle one carried wheels & bbl; the second animal carried the carriage; the third animal carried four ammunition boxes, each containing 18 rounds of ammunition. This grouping has all three distinctive saddles with mountings & cinches. There is also a splinter bar and pole-yoke, and a special separate small saddle bag that holds six rounds of fixed ammunition that can be quickly taken without going into ammunition boxes and worn by first horse with barrel. There is also one orig ammunition box. Much of this leather has "Rock Island Arsenal" markings. There is a large canvas bag which holds cinches & harnesses. The two large cinches are distinct & each stenciled as to which saddle they go with. If you have the Mountain rifle, all you need now are three pack animals and ammo, and you are ready for the field that is too rough for wheeled vehicles. PROVENANCE: Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Very good overall, though leather is mostly dry & there are a few broken or cracked straps, but all in all, this horse hardware is fine considering it is well over 100 years old. The orig wooden ammo chest has a replaced sliding end & there is also a reproduction ammo chest. 4-54096-1

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US NAVY 500-POUND BREECH LOADING CANNON SN 19 ON ORIGINAL CARRIAGE.

Lot # 2055 (Sale Order: 56 of 639)      

SN 19. This beautiful 3" rifle of the 500-pound class is a very rare survivor with few specimens known. This example is well marked "3"/RIFLE/500LBS/NO.19/anchor proof" on top of tube between trunnions. Breech is marked "ORD.DEP.U.S.N.Y. WASHINGTON". Brass elevation screw on carriage is U.S.N.Y.W. inspected and dated 1883. Right brass hub is also Washington Navy Yard inspector marked and dated 1890. This is a great example of an early breech loading Navy gun that replaced the classic Dahlgren Boat Howitzers which could not provide the fire power of these powerful breech-loading bag guns. This gun is fully functional and breech functions well. This gun retains two restored ammunition boxes, though brass hardware appears orig as hinges are also Navy marked and dated. Rifling is crisp and discernible and this gun is ready for action. PROVENANCE: Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Trunnions are pitted & markings there are weak & not discernible though other markings are excellent as can be seen in photos. Cannon appears orig & complete with only the brass hand grip to breech being accurately recast. Carriage is sound & solid as are the restored ammunition crates. Brass on gun & carriage all polished bright with patina. Carriage components have numerous small proofs & assembly letters and carriage is overall very good to fine and quite solid & functional. 4-54238

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1893 KRUPP BREECHLOADING MOUNTAIN GUN SN 9.

Lot # 2056 (Sale Order: 57 of 639)      

65mm Krupp Mountain Howitzer made in 1893 and is so marked on the breech. It is also marked by a brass plate on the left side of the carriage "FRIED. KRUPP/ESSEN A/R. NO 9" indicating this is SN 9. This is also indicated on the breech. This is the only survivor of this particular type of Krupp cannon that we're aware of. Accessories include prolong handle, vent pick and loading rammer. The removable, two-section percussion firing lock will accept blank starter pistol cartridges which ignite the powder charge very reliably. Tube is 41" long, trunnions 10" wide, and the width hub to hub is 36". Overall length is 70". Height with wheels is 33-1/2", and carriage only is 13" high. Carriage is green enamel painted steel with leather retention straps and buckles intact and serviceable. Axle housing is steel, wheels are wood with brass hubs and steel tires. Breech mechanism is well greased and moves freely. This weapon appears fully serviceable. These guns were made to be "portable" to mountainous terrain by being able to be readily disassembled, packed onto mules or horses as components, and then reassembled at whatever position they were to be employed. As such, these are perfect for the modern collector who desires a quality made piece which is also easily "rolled" by one man. PROVENANCE: Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Tube retains over 90% of black enamel finish. Wooden wheels and carriage are repainted green with over 90% coverage. Axle is black enamel. Brass hubs are fairly bright with steel retention bolts. Bore has strong rifling. 4-54233

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1893 AUSTRIAN 2-3/4" BRONZE BREECH-LOADER, 7 CM SN 332.

Lot # 2057 (Sale Order: 58 of 639)      

SN 332. Tube is 39" long, 9-1/2" trunnion width, 64" overall. Overall width is 39", overall height is 38". Carriage only height is 12", length is 56". Manufactured by Skoda. The 7cm Breechloading Mountain Rifle M75 was the baby of a famous family of Skoda artillery pieces, the 9cm and 8cm Field Cannons, also known as M75, and the 7cm mountain gun. The mountain gun was made of "Steel Bronze" which was a very strong type of phosphor bronze nearly as strong as steel. These weapons were very popular on the export market during the late 19th C. and were used in many countries including Poland, Thailand, Japan, etc. This particular gun was part of the Austrian army as is noted by 1/2" "A" surcharge on top of bbl about 4" forward of vent. The breech mechanism was a horizontal sliding wedge with some unique gas-sealing features. This gun fired explosive shell or canister rounds, the propellant being contained in a powder bag, which saved weight compared to a gun using metallic cartridge cases. The Skoda Company: The noble Waldstein family founded the company in 1859 in Plze_); Emil Škoda bought it in 1869. It soon became Austria-Hungary's leading arms manufacturer producing heavy guns for the navy, mountain guns or mortars along with the Škoda M1909 machine gun as one of its noted products. Besides producing arms for the Austro-Hungarian military, Škoda also manufactured locomotives, aircraft, ships, machine tools, steam turbines and equipment for power utilities and still does so. Reference: "Artyeria Austro-Wegierska w Latach 1860-1890" Warsaw, 2008. SN marked 332 on right trunnion and on right side of sliding breech housing. Rear of breech marked "7cm 1893 NR 332 90KS". Carriage is black painted enamel riveted steel. Wheels are orig wood with steel tires, and bronze hubs with a steel axle housing. Elevation gear turns. The breech mechanism works perfectly with an improvised operating handle, now missing as it broke when last fired. The 2.75-inch bore diameter is ideal for shooting plaster-filled soda cans. The vent is slightly enlarged from firing but is still serviceable. Vent hole on top of breech open with ring of green discoloration. Green discoloration also at muzzle. PROVENANCE: Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Overall finish and appearance is fine with the bronze a pleasing golden patina, with same green copper sulfate at muzzle and primer hole as noted.  Wooden wheels are fine and serviceable with about 70% old finish remaining with scattered gouges and chips. Bronze hubs retain same patina as tube. Metal of carriage retains over 90% of black enamel finish. Bore has strong rifling. This is a great portable cannon which would be fun to shoot and easy to maintain. 4-54239

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ENGLISH 6-POUNDER SHIP'S GUNADE CIRCA 1820.

Lot # 2058 (Sale Order: 59 of 639)      

NSN. This is a fine example of a cannon commonly found on early 19th century merchant ships where insurance requirements required a gun for protection from pirates or other threats. The US Navy also had a number of 6-pounder gunades nearly identical to this one. Captain Thomas AP Catesby Jones, in his 1833 report included in the Congressional "Rep No. 141" entitled "National Foundry" describes six of them he inspected at Gosport Navy Yard, VA, in 1833: "From 1 to 6 inclusive, are 6 pound gunades; all have breech rings, have trunnions below the centre". On the same page (pp. 183) Jones writes regarding the English-made iron gunades "…will answer as boat guns" Therefore we would expect that such gunades would have been used as boat guns (cannons mounted in the bow of a ship's launch) during the Mexican War- only about a decade after Jones' report was published. This particular gun is in beautiful condition, well marked, and displays well on a stepped Naval carriage. PROVENANCE: Richard Spicer Collection; Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Cannon & carriage measure about 51" l x 28" h overall; tube is 38" with a 33" bbl length; swaged muzzle tapers to about a 4" bore. Markings on top of bbl near breech are crisp & clear "B.P.& Co." (Bailey & Pegg), a well known English cannon maker, Bailey, Pegg & Co. were founders in London between 1812-1966 initially at the Gunwharf, Wapping, and later at 81 Bankside, SE1. Weight is also marked above breech "4.0.23" which translates to 471 lbs. Cannon has iron patina, with pitting, bore is pitted & flaking. Carriage, including removable quoin, is sound & solid with iron & steel hardware. Wheels are poor with varying degrees of loss & rot but easily restored. 4-54167

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ENGLISH 4-POUNDER BRONZE CANNON MADE BY J & E HALL, DARTFORD, CIRCA 1800.

Lot # 2059 (Sale Order: 60 of 639)      

This beautiful English cannon has fine lines and banding, typical of the 18th century. Cannon is marked on base ring "J & E HALL, DARTFORD". This cannon was manufactured with a raised vent area to accept a flint ignition gunlock with two holes that would correspond to mounting brackets. Often English guns made in this era for gunlock ignition were for naval use as the early use of linstock had a noticeable delay between application and gun firing, and when a ship was rolling, this made accuracy quite difficult. The use of gunlock caused quick ignition and also the gunlock which was operated by a lanyard would place the gunner at a safe distance from recoil. Gunlocks were designed for the military and only for about a 50 year period with the advent of the friction primer, making these obsolete. This cannon has seen some use as can be seen through old wear to surfaces and to bore, but no history is known other than it was purchased in West Point, New York. PROVENANCE: Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Cannon measure approx 52" overall with 45" bbl measuring 3.25", trunnions approx. 10-1/2". Maker's mark in raised relief on 1st reinforce is only partially discernible as can be seen in photos. Tube has a overall chocolate colored patina with typical small blemishes after 200 years. Bore is clear showing use, vent is well used and wallowed out. Adjustable, sliding vertical rear sight is still present and could be made to operate, but moves slightly and is tightly fit as blade is iron and is rusted. Mounting stand is very good and sound. 4-54104

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UNIQUE "J & W TOLLEY" PENTAGONAL-BORE STEEL RIFLED CANNON.

Lot # 2060 (Sale Order: 61 of 639)      

NSN. This is a most unusual piece. Its closest relative may be the US Ellsworth which however was a breech loader with a bore of about 1-1/2". It saw limited use in the Civil War and was personally pursued by Abraham Lincoln, about 20 were purchased. This piece may be the British equivalent and Tolley was a well known sporting maker of large bore rifles and shotguns. Bbl is marked "J&W TOLLEY ST. MARY'S SQUARE BIRMINGHAM". This gun has a most unusual "Whitworth-like" pentagonal bore and was most likely made about the time of the Civil War. Our consignor states in his notes, "This unique cannon barrel was made by the Tolley firm of gunsmiths in Birmingham, England. It bears no date, but appears to be of 1860's design. It is classified as a rifled muzzle-loader. The rifling is the same type used by the famous Whitworth cannon, which involves flat-sided rifling. But the Whitworth guns had hexagonal bores; this piece is pentagonal in cross section, and has a very small bore for a cannon of that period (though Whitworth made 1" cannon). The barrel is a wrought iron or steel tube, closed at the breech by a forged, separate plug, the rear of which tapers to form the knob. This knob is drilled horizontally to receive an elevating device. The cannon has a large 2-1/4" x 7/8" x 1-1/2" rear sight with two leaves, obviously one for a short range and one for long. There is a blade-type front sight of similar height and width. The trunnions are attached to a forged band, which is shrunk onto the tube. The piece may be unique, because both the Tower of London and the Rotunda Museum at Woolwich have informed me that they have seen nothing like it before, even though it is obviously real and was made in their country". This unique gun is listed in Olmstead et al, FIELD ARTILLERY WEAPONS OF THE CIVIL WAR. PROVENANCE: W.K. Neale, Guernsey Island; Hampton P. Howell, Jr.; Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Cannon measures just over 32" overall. Trunnion to trunnion distances about 5-1/4". Bbl length about 28-1/2", bore diameter about 1.1" (28mm) Very good overall, iron patina and pitting under black paint. Markings are discernible but weak. Bore is well defined. Sights are orig and functioning, though smaller blade of rear sight has right ear missing and small chip in front blade. Pentagonal bore is well defined with pitting, is clear as is vent. 4-54181 JS155

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FINE BRITISH WAR OF 1812 ERA BRONZE 3-LB MOUNTAIN GUN.

Lot # 2061 (Sale Order: 62 of 639)      

This beautifully patinaed cannon measures 39" overall with a 28" bbl length and a bore of 2-3/4". Cannon was made at the Royal Brass Foundry and dated 1808. A large cypher of King George III appears on 1st reinforce and the monogram of John Pitt, II Earl of Chatham, Master General of Ordnance is on the chase. John Pitt was the older brother to William Pitt the Younger who became Prime Minister under King George III during the Revolutionary War and his father William Pitt the 1st was well known before the Revolution and was also Prime Minister under King George II. Bbl is also proofed for British Military acceptance with broad arrow. Weight is marked in quarter weights on breech below cascabel "2.0.26" which translates to 250 lbs. This beautiful tube, which was obsolete in the 1890's, was one of a pair given as a diplomatic gift to the Kenyan Government, mounted on later all steel screw-gun carriages and specially fitted trunnion caps were placed on this gun to fit. These trunnion caps could be removed if desired. This cannon has not been researched through the registers at the Tower of London, however, the proof registers do exist from 1779-1830 and based on the weight and registry no. "LVIII" cut into reinforce could provide gun's proofing history. PROVENANCE: Joel Morrow; Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Cannon is fine overall with crisp, easily discerned markings as can be seen in photos. The added trunnion covers are exactly fit, are pinned in placed & do not detract from overall esthetics. Cannon is mounted on a wooden stepped carriage of later vintage which measures about 30" x 18". 4-54217

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RARE BRITISH BRONZE COEHORN MORTAR & BED.

Lot # 2062 (Sale Order: 63 of 639)      

This particular mortar has a cypher of King George III and was made at the Royal Brass Foundry in 1819. Cannon is marked "Cornelius King" who was the Master Founder. Coehorn mortars received their name from their inventor, a Dutch military engineer, Baron Menno van Coehorn (1641-1704). He was renowned for his methods of siegecraft. His first mortars were used at the Siege of Grave in 1674. This particular example has a fine bronze patina with excellent markings. A foundry number is found on bottom "103". Weight measures found under vent "0-3-17" translate to 101 lbs. This mortar is listed in the the Royal Brass Foundry's Register at the Tower of London as being proved at Woolwich July 19, 1819. These rare British military mortars are seldom offered and this is a fine example mounted on an oak bed with iron hardware. PROVENANCE: Jack Plunkett, Valley Forge, PA; Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Mortar is 12-3/4" l; cannon is 12-3/8" w at trunnions; bore measures 4.5"; carriage and tube measure about 29" x 22" and 20" h. Markings are all well discerned as can be seen in photos. 4-54247

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INVENTOR'S MODEL OF BREECH LOADING CANNON PROBABLY BY HENRY F. MANN.

Lot # 2063 (Sale Order: 64 of 639)      

This well made model with an extra set of trunnions for pivot of a counter-weighted strap was the basis for Henry F. Mann's breech loading design that was tested by the US government. His design utilized a breech retained by a large pivoting strap much like the Moffatt full sized prototype cannons, also in this sale. It is interesting that Bannerman mis-identified the Moffatt cannon in this auction as the Mann's cannon who had the original US design. Mann was a very innovative blacksmith who invented a reaping machine that made him wealthy producing several thousand of these devices after the Civil War. This well made model is totally devoid of marks but does appear to be Mann's design with the solid brass breech which is moved by a turn screw through rear of strap. Before firing, 2 flat iron shims with forged handles are used to brace back strap and breech for firing. PROVENANCE: Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Overall 14-1/4", 5" wide, 6" high and total weight of 11 lbs. Model is very good overall with iron and bronze patina. The shims have corresponding punch marks showing the position right or left where they fit between strap and breech. Bore measures about 0.6" (15mm). Bore is clear as is vent. 4-54183

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FRENCH 8-POUNDER FIELD GUN "LA SURVEILLANTE".

Lot # 2064 (Sale Order: 65 of 639)      

SN 7. This rare French field gun made in the early years of the French Republic, 1794, was made by Lecourant Foundry in Rennes, France and so marked on breech as can be seen in photos "Fonderie N. de Rennes. E. Courant" (Etienne Courant) Praireal (from Republican calendar May21-June20) me annee-----Republicaine." (2nd year of The Republic) . Etienne LeCourant, the master founder, is known to have worked from about 1775-1832. Surviving cannon of pre-Napoleonic 1st Republic are very scarce today and only four bronze Lecourant cannons are known to us. This cannon is named "La Surveillante" which translates in current English to "The Boss" with direct translation of "The Supervisor" or "Watchman". Cannon displays beautifully on its custom made 2-piece steel stand. PROVENANCE: Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Cannon is 76" overall, with 69" bbl length, about 4-1/4 diameter, about 19" trunnion to trunnion, SN 7 on right trunnion, left trunnion shows weight of 1150 lbs. Markings all discernible as can be seen in photographs. Surface of tube has numerous small dings, dents and other small blemishes. Dolphins are broken at base and reattached. Bore is fairly smooth with clear vent. 4-54198

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RARE PAIR OF HISTORIC ISLAMIC RIFLED BRONZE CANNON.

Lot # 2065 (Sale Order: 66 of 639)      

This pair of circa 1870 cannon have the cypher of Khedive Ismail and the date in Arabic 1281, which in the Gregorian Calendar is 1874. Ismail Pasha was Khedive from 1863-1879 and was known as "Ismail the Magnificent". During his tenure he was known for greatly modernizing Egypt and Sudan, investing heavily in economic development and expansion of the country's borders in Africa. The cannons are extremely well made and bores measure about 85mm (3.4"). Rifling is of the "La Hitte" system for use of zinc studded shells, which an orig example is included. One gun above the Arabic cypher inscribed "ATBARA". Atbara is a town in the Nile Valley in what is now Sudan and there was an English/Egyptian victory over Dervish Sudanese rebels in 1898. Could this pair of cannon be trophies from the Dervish War? Val Forgett, Jr. originally bought these guns and all orig cannons that were owned by Bapty & Company, London, who have provided props for movies since 1918. One of these cannon apparently appears in an opening scene of "Lawrence of Arabia" in 1962, which Bapty & Co provided firearms as props also. Guns are in beautiful condition with crisp bores, mounted on wheeled stepped carriages of a later vintage and ready to be fired. Rifled bores of this vintage are rarely better. PROVENANCE: Batpy & Company, London, Val Forgett, Jr., Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: About 46" x 20" overall with height of about 3'. Tubes are 38" overall with about 32" bbl lengths and trunnions measure about 11" across. Trunnions are each marked in Arabic numbers, weights and SNs. Markings are light but mostly discernible on bbl breech as can be seen in photos. Trunnion markings are clear. 4-54089

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ENGLISH CIRCA 1840 IRON SWIVEL GUN.

Lot # 2066 (Sale Order: 67 of 639)      

This is a typical maritime swivel gun required by insurance regulations of the period to fend off pirates or other threats. Gun has "PROVED" cast in tube 2nd reinforce. Muzzle has unusual flared ring and loop at cascabel. This early Victorian Era "insurance gun" has fine aesthetics. PROVENANCE: Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: 37" X 10" overall x 19" h. Cannon is 26" overall with 21" bbl length. Trunnion to trunnion is about 9". Bore is about 2". Good to very good overall with iron patina & pitting. Carriage is sound & solid of a later period for display. 4-54112

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RARE 1831 DATED BRITISH MILITARY BRONZE 12-POUND FIELD HOWITZER.

Lot # 2067 (Sale Order: 68 of 639)      

This tube was made by the Royal Brass Foundry in 1831 and marked "W. North 1831" on base ring. William North was foreman of the Royal Brass Foundry from 1813 to 1839. There is a Roman Numeral "CVI" cut on top of central band and weight markings in quarter weights cut below cascabel "6-1-4", which translate to 704 pounds. On bottom of cannon between trunnions are foundry marks "Z26 106". The cypher of King William IV is found on 1st reinforce along with the broad arrow proof and the monogram of Sir James Kempt, Master General of the Ordnance. British military cannon are quite scarce from this era and cannon made in the reign of William IV are really scarce, as he was only King for about seven years. This particular cannon is listed in the proof registers of the Armories at the Tower of London. This particular tube was proved at Woolwich on February 16, 1831 and of 13 cannon inspected that day, this was one of only six to be graded "TRUE GAUGE". The other tubes were all under gauge. PROVENANCE: Jack Malloy Collection, Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Cannon & carriage measure about 56" l x 36" w x 40" h; cannon measures about 50" with bbl length of 44"; bore measures about 4.6". Tube overall in fine condition with bronze patina, fine discernible markings. 3/4" x 2" raised integral vent plate has two holes for gunlock. Bore fairly smooth, vent is clear. Carriage of Naval style and later addition is sound & solid, including wrought iron mounts & wooden wheels. Wooden wheels bound with metal treads. 4-54091

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BRONZE 1-POUNDER GUNNADE, CIRCA 1830.

Lot # 2068 (Sale Order: 69 of 639)      

NSN. This small Naval swivel gun made in the style of carronades with tapered-in muzzles and loops on cascabel, and made with trunnions set below center line of cannon instead of a bottom loop were popularly known as "gunnades". Gunnades & carronades were efficient in ship to ship fighting, typically as antipersonnel devices as these short stocky powerful guns could cause much damage with case & canister and required less deck space. This gun was orig cast with about 2" raised crown device on first reinforce. This gun was also made slotted for a gun lock which is most often seen on military cannon. This is a beautiful bronze gun with the rarely seen mortise for a flint gunlock ignition system. PROVENANCE: Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Gun & carriage are 36" overall x 9" w x 22" h overall; gun is 25-1/2" with 21" bbl length & 2.25" bore. Gun is very good overall with bronze & green patinas. Crown cast on first reinforce is only barely seen and some attempt may have been made to remove it. Accompanying stepped Naval style carriage of later period is solid, painted black. 4-54205

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FINE COMPLETE BRITISH IRON SWIVEL GUN.

Lot # 2069 (Sale Order: 70 of 639)      

Rarely do early 19th century iron cannon survive in such beautiful condition. This 30" swivel gun is the exception. Not only is the surface smooth, it retains original cast yoke with integral rest and original tiller. Makers mark is easily read along with raised crown on first reinforce. Cannon has beautiful lines and tapered, banded muzzle. Rarely do such guns occur as fine and totally complete with yoke & tiller. PROVENANCE: Daniel LaRive, Canada; Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Cannon is about 30" overall including short, knobbed tiller. Bbl length is 22-1/2", trunnion to trunnion distance is 9", and is 15" tall including yoke. Surface has iron patina with pitting, bore measures 1-3/4". 4-54220

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PAIR OF UNIQUE EARLY 19th CENTURY IRON "FOG WARNING" CANNONS FOR LIGHTHOUSE.

Lot # 2070 (Sale Order: 71 of 639)      

This interesting pair of cannons which are noted in early lighthouse regulations, circa 1810, mention the use of small cannon for signaling danger. Pneumatic horns fill that need today. These cannon are made for noise making as there is no way to elevate them as there are no trunnions or mounting loops. It is thought a series of these small fog warning cannons would have been set up in a row in a lighthouse and shot every minute. These cannons are also of unique design with thick breeches, flared muzzle and tapered body without true cascabel and only a rounded hump in its place. No other examples have surfaced that we are aware of. PROVENANCE: The Horse Soldier Shop; Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: 16" overall; 13-1/2" bbl lengths; 2" bores, thick about 6-1/2" breeches. Good to very good overall. Painted black with iron patina and pitting. Custom wood mounting are very good, painted off-white. 4-54141

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RARE VERBRUGGEN SWIVEL GUN.

Lot # 2071 (Sale Order: 72 of 639)      

NSN. This rare 1/2 Pounder made between 1746-1755 by Dutch master gunfounder Jan Verbruggen at Enkhuizen is one of only 3 surviving swivel guns known to have been made by him. This particular gun weighs 161 lbs, including yoke, and measures about 39" from muzzle to end of round cascabel. Cannon is mounted on an iron yoke and has rarely seen orig iron "tiller" attached to cascabel, which was used to aim and maneuver tube. The iron swivel yoke and "tiller" are well forged and typical of the period. This cannon shot a 1-3/4" smooth projectile and was probably used on a ship or rampart. There are four raised bands between the flared muzzle and the flared breech as can be seen in pictures, very similar to 6- & 9-pounders of the era that were for field use. This cannon bears the maker's markings "I.V.B." faintly marked on the breech ring; also a 3/4" proof mark of Enkhuizen that is indiscernible along with a 6" stippled shield that has the number 131 above it. Verbruggen is best known for his work in the foundry at Woolwich, England where he cast guns for the British during the American Revolution. This cannon came out of the New York area. PROVENANCE: Mark McConnell. Craig Bell. Warrenton VA Museum. Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Tube overall is well patinated with verdigris & some erosion. Vent hole is a bit wallowed out. Iron hardware is sound with patina, and overall brown with pitting & rust. Markings are only partially discernible as can be seen in pictures. 4-54108 JS140

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UNIQUE EXPERIMENTAL "A. F. POTTER" NEEDLE FIRE CANNON.

Lot # 2072 (Sale Order: 73 of 639)      

Unfortunately, this 2 stage cannon is missing its breech mechanism which according to the 1870 annual report of the US War Department, was quite an ingenious device. This particular gun is described in this report as a 1-pounder for testing by the army on the East Coast while a 4-pounder is being tested on the West Coast. The breech of the needle fire device was cranked into grooves, which are cut internally and can be seen in photos. The removable breech was supposed to allow for more rapid fire and that the breech components could be removed of fouling elements that would normally be in the bore. Of the two experimental cannons made by Potter, this is thought to be the only example surviving. PROVENANCE: Val Forgett, Jr., Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Bbl measures 26" overall, 12" trunnion to trunnion with about 2" bore, 6-1/2" breech. Very good to fine overall with black paint over an earlier yellow painted surface with iron patina. 4-54164

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TRIO OF CHINESE-FILIPINO BRONZE LANTAKAS.

Lot # 2073 (Sale Order: 74 of 639)      

NSN. Lantakas collectively take their name from Lake Lanao, the traditional stronghold of the Moro Sultans of Mindanao. All cannon made became the property of the Sultans, who doled them out to their followers. Orig lantakas come in many sizes the largest used for fortifications around Lake Lanao which were built to withstand assaults. Others were mounted on Moro sailing vessels with which the Moros raided Spanish shipping and settlements. It was during the period from 1550-1850 that the Moros built their fierce reputation. These Mindanao Raiders were the pirates of the Pacific Rim. The smallest lantakas, often only 4" or 5", were used like pistols without grips or stocks. There is no written record on the accuracy of these guns but they were made for close to 300 years so they must have worked. Lantaka cannon were originally made in at least two foundries in the Philippines. When the Spanish conquered the Philippines in the mid 16th century and brought Christianity, Muslim holdouts "Moors" or "Moros", which natives of Mindanao are still known as today, maintained a foundry on Mindanao which has remained active under the same Chinese-Filipino family for over 300 years. The Moros were not innovators and designs never really changed. The Moros never used wheeled carriages and the lantakas would fit nicely into a forked stick or forked irons for support. Often large lantakas are mounted on swivel yokes. These small cannon simply cast with unrefined bores were not made to shoot specialized projectiles but typically any bits and pieces that could be used as projectiles such as rocks, gravel and bits of small metal or glass objects that were found. Many lantakas were taken home as souvenirs by American military during the occupation of The Philippines in 1899 after the Spanish-American War. American patrols in the southern islands would often be sprayed with gravel or a rock ball coming from a Moro shooting a lantaka and then fading back into the jungle. It took U.S. Captain John J. Pershing 10 years to quell the Moro insurgency in the Philippines. President Teddy Roosevelt promoted him directly from Captain to General for his pacification of Mindanao in 1911. With peace, the lantaka became a ceremonial object, and ownership of many fancy lantakas showed one's wealth in Mindanao. The three lantakas offered here are among the most unusual of this genre you will ever encounter. 1) "Blunderbuss" lantaka is quite possibly not of Philippine manufacture but possibly from Japan as evidenced by the chrysanthemum decoration and finer workmanship. This gun measures 34" overall with a 27" bbl length, the bore being much better finished than most lantakas encountered. The bbl has a bore of about 1/2" flaring to 2" at muzzle, retains its orig bronze yoke and is bound with bamboo strapping over a long wood slat. The hollow 5" tiller, like the rest of the gun, is much finer cast and finished. You will not find a better surface on a lantaka, and if you did not see the tiller you would believe it was of 18th century European origin. There is an old pasted collection number on bottom of mountings on this cannon. The "blunderbuss" design has not been seen on any other lantaka this consignor or cataloger has seen. 2) Elaborate 4' long with orig cast bronze yoke lantaka with two dolphin lifting handles. As seen in photos, this cannon is decorated with numerous raised and incised arabesque diamond shaped panels. Bbl length measures about 42", and bore unlike most lantakas is quite smooth, probably noting earlier manufacture. 3) Unique breechloading lantaka measures 37" overall with about 26" bbl length. This possibly unique example is very well made and designed in the 16th/17th century Chinese or Korean design of removable locking breech mechanism, which is missing, but was typically just a handled iron block with a protruding projection to lock breech for firing. What a collection of three of the most unusual lantaka style cannons you will ever see. One which is possibly Japanese, the second which is classic Mindanaoan, and the third which is influenced with Chinese design which was adopted by Korea also. LITERATURE: Most of the historical information listed here is taken from an article by Richard L. Baron, "Moro Mini-Cannon". PROVENANCE: Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: All very good to fine with bronze patinas, as can be seen in photos. 4-54130 JS147

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19TH CENTURY MUZZLE LOADING ARMSTRONG TYPE SWIVEL GUN.

Lot # 2074 (Sale Order: 75 of 639)      

This small swivel gun with Armstrong style 5-step tapered design has about a 1-1/2" bore, is 26" overall with a 20" bbl length and 9" trunnion to trunnion distance. Cascabel has round slot for elevation device. This well made small cannon weighs 78lbs and is displayed on naval style carriage. PROVENANCE: Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Gun is very good overall with black paint and pitting. Bore and vent are clear. Accompanying carriage for display needs trunnion slots cut deeper, gun and carriage weigh about 120lbs and measures about 3' long, 11" wide, 19" high. 4-54197

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1.178.0.1842.dd73747.10.47