October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/22/2019
Attractive green painted Watertown arsenal 3.6 inch breech loading mortar as manufactured in 1898 with original brass data plate on steel mount. Serial number "41" matches on tube and mount with "JWR" inspectors initials. One original banded projectile is included with this lot. This was the first modern breechloading mortar developed for the U.S. Army. Used mostly for coastal and fixed fortification defense, there were only 76 units built between June of 1890 and early 1904, procured in several batches. Four were sent to Cuba via Tampa, Florida for the Spanish American War, and at least two and possibly four were shipped to and deployed in the Philippines during the insurrection there. They were deemed obsolete in 1919 and many were scrapped or otherwise became decorative or memorial pieces. Several, including this one, made it into the hands of private collectors. CONDITION: Green repainted finish on metal parts with brass data plate turning a pleasing dull patina with fuse primer brass thumbpiece presenting a more polished appearance. Steel breechblock in the white and very clean. A great piece for the turn of the century heavy ordnance collector which rolls well on its display stand. JWK CORRECTION: The bore of this mortar has been professionally relined by Matt Switlik, and this can be discerned in the photos. This mortar is in absolutely fabulous condition including the bore, fit for museum display or for recreational shooting activities.