December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
An early 19th century artillery level of unusual form by William Davenport (1778-1829), possibly an original invention or adaptation. Davenport is listed in Philadelphia directories as an instrument maker working and residing on 43 Front Street from at least 1802 until 1818 and later at 25 Front until his death from a "sudden illness" in 1829. However, he may have been working there even earlier, when the first property was still owned by his parents. The level combines the features of both a gunner's level, sector and quadrant, yet also a gunner's sight that apparently could also function like a surveyor's plane table, so this invaluable instrument would be as useful to both artillerists and military engineers. It consists of a square shaft, beveled along a portion of one side and marked "WM. DAVENPORT. MAKER. PHILa., engraved on one end with a script "US", and a table with heading for "MORt[ar]/HOWt[itzers]" and on the other side with a table for "GUNS/CALIbr/SHOT" size for guns ranging from 42- down to 3-pounder guns, while the bottom side has a rule of 12 inches. At the other end is a 3 3/4 inch diameter brass plate engraved for 360 degrees, with a level furnished with standing front and rear sight, each able to swivel down. Overall length is 17 1/8 inches. The only artillery-related instrument currently known by Davenport and clearly made for use by the U.S. Army, whether as early as the Quasi-War or as late as the War of 1812 is not yet determined. PROVENANCE: Collection of Peter F. Frazier and M. Prudence Fleck, c. 1950-2014; sold as lot 1 at Skinner, 3 May 2014, whence acquired. CONDITION: Overall very good; one of the adjusting screws for a sight is frozen; the brass a dull bronze color, with some scattered dark spots.