Guns International #: 103394191

Category - Cannons - Antique and Replica

Category
Cannons - Antique and Replica

RARE1895 WATERTOWN ARSENAL 3.6" FIELD MORTAR

Description:
Rare green painted Watertown arsenal 3.6" breech loading mortar as manufactured in 1898 with original brass data plate on steel mount. Serial number "41" matches on tube and mount with "JWR" inspectors initials. This was a friction primed "bag gun" breech loading mortar developed for the U.S. Army. Used mostly for coastal and fixed fortification defense. There were only 76 units build between June of 1890 and early 1904, procuronditionned in several batches. Four were sent via Tampa, FL to Cuba for the Spanish American War, and four were shipped and used in the Philippines during the insurrection. They were deemed obsolete in 1919 and many were scrapped or otherwise became decorative or memorial pieces. RARE - Only 10 mortars, including this one, made it into the hands of private collectors. Green repainted finish on metal parts with brass data plate turning a pleasing dull patina. Bore is well worn and pitted but it has been fired with blank cartridges at 4th of July demonstrations.  This is a wonderful antique piece of US History. Huge Steel rotary breech block is in excellent condition. A great piece for the turn of the century ordnance collector. Comes bolted to trailer included.  PICK-UP ONLY - WILL NOT SHIP - $7500 - 24/0

ADDITIONAL INFO FROM THE INTERNET - One of the rarest U.S. Army artillery pieces, this breech loading mortar, known as a "Bag Gun" was produced at the Watervliet, NY, Arsenal. Watervliet is the oldest continuously active arsenal in the U.S., founded in 1813 to support The War Of 1812. The barrel weighs 244 pounds and the carriage is 300 pounds. It could hurl a 20 pound explosive shell,  (shown) or a time fused shrapnel shell, nearly 2 miles. These mortars saw action in Cuba during the Spanish American War and later in the Philippine-American War of 1899-1902.
 

Antique: Yes
Manufacturer: WATERTOWN
Model: 1895 FIELD MORTAR
Serial Number: 41
Barrel Length: 43
Bore Info: 3.6
Chambers: BREECH LOADING
Condition: AVERAGE
Metal Condition: PAINTED
Wood Condition: WOOD BED TRAILER
Bore Condition: WORN
Barrels: RIFLED
Barrel Type: STEEL
Action: ROTARY BREECH
Triggers: FUSE
Finish: GREEN PAINT
Weight: 600+ POUNDS
Sights: IRON
Manufacture Date: 1898
Engraving: U.S.
Extras: WITH TRAILER
Item Location: WISCONSIN
Proof:Black: YES

Price: $7,500.00