3019

NEWLY DISCOVERED CONFEDERATE BREECHLOADING

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
NEWLY DISCOVERED CONFEDERATE BREECHLOADING

HUGHES CANNON, MEMPHIS TN CAPTURED APRIL 1863 ON MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
43” 3 Stage barrel, 2” bore with thin 3 groove rifling, 2” x 1.5” semicircular slot rear with removable breech block fitted just behind vent which is 3.5” from rear, weighs 96 pounds including breech block. Instead of trunnions, a steel loop is attached to bottom of gun for carriage attachment, as invented for naval use by ironmakers in Carron Scotland for limited space on ships in late 18th century. Siver plaque attached “Captured by the Union Forces April 1863 / in a skirmish up the / MISSISSIPPI RIVER IN LOUISIANA / and Presented to Lieutenant Command’g / George Hamilton Perkins U.S.N. / in gratitude for assistance rendered / his GUNBOAT the NEW LONDON”. Perkins wrote his brother April 21, 1863 concerning this gun and another: “I have sent to Frank by the last steamer two guns. The six pounder is a fine gun, and was captured after a desperate fight. The other is a rifle gun, and is quite a curiosity; it will throw a ball a long way.”
Found in barn in New Hampshire near Commodore George Perkins home.
UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: small file of research and biography of Perkins.
George Hamilton Perkins, USN (1836-1899) Lifelong naval officer, graduated from Naval Academy in 1851, service on multiple vessels including the “New London” as noted on presentation during Civil War on Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico. Congress authorized his promotion to the rank of Commodore in recognition of his gallantry and skill during the Battle of Mobile Bay at his retirement. CONDITION: good overall, heavy iron patina, breechblock is frozen, but its retaining pin is loose. Breech block has 2 ears for percussion hammer which is missing. Rear sight slot empty, front sight is slotted post on dovetailed inset 1” x 0.5” iron block. (02-17901/JS). $20,000-30,000.