December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
4-pounder bronze field gun of the Gribeauval System, one of only two known examples that survive in that caliber predating French Revolution, when most were melted and recast. The tube measures 62 1/4 inches from muzzle to cascabel. The diameter of the piece at the extreme swell of the muzzle is 7 1/4 in., while at the breech it is 8 7/8 in. The trunnion diameter is 3 1/4 inches (the diameter of which would have equaled its original bore, a practice followed when casting guns during this period). However, the bore is now 3 7/8 inches, as it was rebored as a 6 pounder during the 1790s and a gun sight fitted to the breech at the same time. The gun weighs approximately 650 pounds (as indicated by the French system of measure struck on the left trunnion face)/ Behind the muzzle on the top of the barrel is a scroll bearing the name of the cannon "LA SEDUISANTE" ["THE SEDUCER"]. On the breech band are the gunfounder's marks: "DOUAY PAR [J. BEREN]GER. 12 OBRE 1765"; the Royal foundry at Douay was where the first 4 pounders of the new Gribeauval system were cast and this gun is part of that batch, being cast on 12 October 1765 under the supervision of Jean-Francois Berenger, the foundry's master (his name now partly obscured on the breech markings when fitted for a breech gunsight later in the century). The large, inverted "L"s on top of the barrel forward of the breech is the Royal cipher of King Louis XVI. The Gribeauval system was introduced by Lieutenant General Jean Baptiste Vaquette de Gribeauval during the latter half of 18th century. It revolutionized French artillery, with a new production system that allowed lighter, more uniform guns without sacrificing range. France already possessed the only unified range of artillery in Europe. The Gribeauval system superseded the Vallière system beginning in 1765, when introduced by royal decree on 15 October 1765 (Note that our 4 pounder predates the decree by two days!!). The first guns to be cast to the designs and standards of the Gribeauval system were that of the field artillery, primarily 4- , 8- and 12-pounder cannon. However, the new system was strenuously resisted by Vallière's son, Joseph Florent de Vallière and other officers and due to their political power, Gribeauval fell out of favor for a few years and the Valliere system remained in place for the heavy and siege artillery. It was not until just prior to France’s entry in the American War that the entire system was fully realized. Thus, all of the field artillery in Rochambeau’s Army were of the new system, but much of the siege artillery was apparently still of the old Vallière system. Gribeauval's reforms encompassed not only the cannons but also the gun carriages, limbers, ammunition chests, and the accompanying tools. The gun barrels were cast shorter and thinner, while gun carriages were built lighter and narrower. CONDITION: Very good; a few dings and light scars as expected on a piece of ordnance, especially one that has survived for nearly 260 years; beautiful greenish-bronze patina. A superb example of an extremely rare pattern--one of the first guns cast in the Gribeauval system and possibly part of Rochambeau's field artillery in America during the Revolutionary War. NOTE: I originally intended to have a correct Gribeauval pattern carriage made for this cannon and, on request of purchaser, would be happy to provide copies of the original scaled plans and drawings for such gratis, including all gun tools and trail ammunition box. I already have quotes for reproduction of such from two experienced cannon carriage makers and would be happy to assist the new owner in arranging to complete such a project, which this handsome piece deserves. JLK
CORRECTION: This cannon shows evidence of spiking.