October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
This is an extremely rare War of 1812 period British military rocket launcher. This would have been used in conjunction with the British Congreve pole mounted rockets which would in theory slide down inside this item. Mounted on a hollow iron pole to allow for the wooden pole of the Congreve rocket. Measures 99 1/4 inches long overall. Angular bayonet affixed to the launcher cup. There is a trigger mechanism approximately halfway up the pole. The bayonet measures 8 inches long. Cup is 16 inches long. The 5 inch long lock has a crown/broad arrow mark. Approximately 2 inch bore diameter, although the cup is slightly out of round. Consignor notes that this is 1 of 100 produced. The initial rocket cases were constructed of cardboard, but by 1806 they were made from sheet iron. The propulsion was of the same ingredients as gunpowder, the mixture of which varied with the different sizes of rocket. The warheads had side-mounted brackets which were used to attach wooden sticks of differing lengths, according to the sizes of rocket. It was the use of ship-launched Congreve rockets by the British in the bombardment of Fort McHenry in the US in 1814 that inspired the fifth line of the first verse of the United States' National Anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner": "and the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air". While this is certainly not a ships weapon, it would make sense as weapon to be used on horseback and could have very well been with the 1st Rocket Troop of the Royal Horse Artillery. PROVENANCE: Former Ratner Collection, Former Chernoff Collection, The Renowned Collection of Howard Resnick. CONDITION: The pole, cup, firing mechanism, and bayonet all retain a very uniform patina with light to moderate pitting and some black painted finish. The lock and wood surrounding it are in better condition, but also show age. The mainspring is missing from the lock.