July 12-14, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/12/2022
This US Navy powder tank bears the faint impression of “MODEL 1870” on one side, indicating it is an improvement upon the 1857 pattern, likely in the use of a screw-tightened top and perhaps in the metal used, this one showing redder cast indicating a higher copper content. The principle, however, was the same. Bag charges of powder for the increasingly large bore naval guns had to be kept dry and away from any chance spark both while aboard ship and ashore. These metal containers made the charges both safe to store and easy to transfer between munitions depot and ship’s magazine. This is the same size as the 1857 designated example we offer, indicating its filled weight was 50 pounds, but differs in the sealing arrangement and in markings, having only parts numbers marked on the handle and body. The designation of Model 1870 nicely dates its to the expansion of U.S. naval power at the end of the 19th century. CONDITION: Very good. Model designation is faint, but legible.
Item Dimensions: 10" x 10" x 17"
Paperwork
Consigner Notes, National Archives Letters