GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
UNIQUE EXPERIMENTAL "A. F. POTTER" NEEDLE FIRE CANNON.A. F. POTTERNEEDLE FIRE CANNONNSN4 POUNDERUnfortunately, 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. 49245-2 JS (2,000-3,000)