ITEM # 51
serial #370 This is an absolutely stunning piece of Field artillery. The face of the bronze tube is marked with the serial number "370" and "H.N.H.& Co." of HN Hooper of Boston Mass., the founder of the cannon. Other markings include "1230 Lbs." and US inspectors marking "C.C." and is dated 1864. Rim base is numbered "394". The tube itself is a lovely bronze-ocher patina with darkening to a richer tobacco color near the vent. The tube shows the overall very tiny dings and dents one would expect from a 144-year-old cannon barrel, with an excellent "U.S." marking top dead center on the tube just to the rear of the trunnions. The front sight is intact as is the base for the pendulum hausse gunners sight. The bore rates about excellent with very minor pinprick pitting and 1 1/2" long superficial scar about 3 feet from the muzzle. The gun sits atop a number 2 field carriage which has been newly made by Historical Ordnance Works of Woodstock Georgia. The carriage is absolutely superb and utilizes a mix of original iron and some newly made hardware. The gun comes with two hand spikes, two rammer/sponges and one worm as well as with a brand-new prolonge rope. Dimensions: Overall length of the tube is about 72 inches. Cannon overall length is 139" with a width of 79 1/2" at the very tips of the axles. The wheels are 57" in diameter. Interestingly throughout the entire Civil War no bronze gun was ever known to have burst. At only 5° elevation the 12 pound Napoleon gun could send a true 12 pound projectile over 1600 yards with a muzzle velocity of over 1400 fps. These bronze guns are among the most sought after of Civil War Field artillery due to their classic looks and the beauty of the bronze tube, especially once it starts to patinate. This is among the finest of the examples we have seen. (2109-1) (75,000/100,000) |
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