December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
Iron 6-pounder barrel of early 19th century form, the "short" six-pounder forms cast by a handful of foundries in the United States, including Foxall's Columbia Foundry, prior-to and during the War of 1812. The tube measures 58 1/2 inches in length from cascabel to muzzle face. The trunnions are 3 1/2 inches in diameter and the distance across the trunnions, from face to face, is 15 1/2 inches. There appears to be a "[No.] 5" marked on the left trunnion face and there is a "U.S." on top of the barrel between the two trunnions. No other marks are presently discernable, if they exist(ed). One of the earliest 6-pounder cannon that can definitively be shown to be produced for the War Department of the United States, as seen by the Federal ownership mark "U.S." on the barrel. The 6-pounder is mounted on a "truck" type carriage with four, cast-iron, spoke wheels of 24-inch diameter. The 6-pounder cannon and this carriage have been on display on the grounds of the Varnum Armory Museum for many decades and the date that the carriage was fabricated has not been determined, although the truck wheels are possibly much earlier. The tube has been mounted on the original 1828 Washington Arsenal carriage offered in this sale and it fits the carriage perfectly. PROVENANCE: Long in the collections of the Varnum Armory Museum and displayed on the grounds in front of the General James Varnum House (1772) in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. The cannon and carriage were deaccessioned in 2023 as no longer fitting within the mission and collections policy of the museum and sold to The Union Drummer Boy of Gettysburg, PA, whence subsequently purchased on 19 March 2023. CONDITION: The cannon barrel exhibits moderate pitting overall, with some areas (such as muzzle face, even heavier; the bore also exhibits moderate to heavy pitting and there appears to be a small amount of concrete set near breech, to prevent firing at present (which could be removed during restoration of the piece). The cannon has been painted repeatedly over time and it is hoped that if the paint is removed, further markings may be discerned providing further clues as to its maker and history of use.
This is not a standard shippable item and will require 3rd party shipping or pickup arrangements to be made.Condition: ar
Item Dimensions: 60 x 30 x 36"