December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
A handsome and rare 18th century arsenal model with wonderful patina of a Gribeauval System limber for a field gun with wonderful patina, probably a 4-pounder cannon based on the wheel and axle proportions in relation to the harness pole, based on comparison of this model with original 18th century plans for the same. The Gribeauval system was introduced to the French royal artillery in 1765 and continued in usage through the Napoleonic Wars and into the early 1830s, with but little modification. Although a model of a French gun, it is believed that this is a model constructed for the Royal Laboratory and Artillery School at Woolwich or for some other British arsenal or military school, in the last quarter of the 18th century. Its method of construction, scale, and even paint closely match other arsenal models made for Woolwich and formerly exhibited in the Rotunda Museum there and later in the Firepower Museum, both now sadly closed. It was very common for rival powers to construct such arsenal models of each other’s ordnance, both for educating students but more important, for assessing strengths and weaknesses of one’s own arms and that of its enemies. Wood and iron body, painted with an olive drab oil paint, with hemp cording in imitation of rope. Overall dimensions (LxHxW): 31 x 8 ½ x 13 inches. CONDITION: complete and very good considering age of the piece, with edge wear to the parts; the iron strakes of the right wheel are lifting, probably due to the loss of a few of the miniaturized strake nails securing them to the felloes and shrinkage of the wood itself.