Revised: 9/15/2014

Please note: The trophy numbers were inverted by mistake in the printed catalog. Whenever trophy #43 is listed, it should be #44; and whenever trophy #44 is listed, it should be #43.

SPANISH SIEGE MORTAR DATED 1750 CAPTURED BY DUPONT AT FERNANDINA FLORIDA 1862.

SN NSN. This is a most historic and important piece of American history. Not only was this cannon originally used to guard Castillo de San Marcos St. Augustine Florida in Spanish Colonial America it was only used by the Confederates to defend Fernandina Island in 1862. This mortar is marked with an inscription “Trophy No. 44″ matching a circa 1920 listing of trophies in the custody of the Naval History and Heritage Command. Trophy No. 43 is a very similar but larger mortar with an identical capture inscription. Both mortars are many other pieces of obsolete ordnance were sold by the Navy for scrap in in a 1956 era scrap drive when the Washington Navy Yard was in transition. Trophy No. 43 was purchased from the scrap yard by a Washington D.C. area dealer who in turn traded it to the National Park Service. It is now on display back where it was originally placed in the late 18th century at Castillo de San Marcos (the old Spanish fort) in St. Augustine, FL. Note that section of page from the 1821 treaty document between Spain and US regarding the turnover of E. Florida to the US, which states that four bronze weapons then in the Castillo, including one 7″ mortar would become US property. The 7” mortar mentioned could be none other than “EL GAVILAN”. This mortar was once displayed on the lawn of Quarters “H, Warrington Street” at the Washington Navy Yard. See the 19th century picture of the various trophies including this gun on display. Our consignor describes this wonderful piece of history as follows: “This large bronze mortar is of the old Spanish pattern, being very elaborate in design. Entwined dolphins form the lifting handle on top of the piece. The trunnions are in the form of a solid bar completely across the rear of the piece. The piece has a beautiful turquoise patina. The carriage is an Oak reproduction which serves as a stand only (not authentic). The bore of the piece bears many deep score marks from firing rough or strapped shells, and many of them. Fine Spanish mortars are rare in themselves, but “EL GAVILAN” (The Chicken Hawk) is especially interesting in that it is a Colonial American piece. It was apparently in use in Spanish Florida by the Spaniards until they were evicted. This mortar is pictured in the 1960 publication [i]Half Century Scrapbook of Vari-Type Firearms[/i] showing the Frank E. Bivins, Jr. collection as cataloged by F. Theodore Dexter, p.189 plate 89. It remained in the area (exact location unknown) until the Civil War, when it was placed into action by the Confederates. They used it to defend the Fernandina Island (unsuccessfully) in February 1862 when it fell to Union Troops. Authenticated documentation proves that this specific piece was one of at least two mortars captured on February 3, 1862 by Rear Admiral S.F. DuPont in the brief skirmish.” This cannon is listed originally in a manuscript document [i]Report of the State of the Artillery at St. Augustine, Florida for the Year 1790[/i] (in Spanish of course). The cannon is again listed in the deck log of the USS Flag March 8, 1862 among captured objects at Fernandina. Though mortars are not listed by name the inscriptions of capture bear this out. Note the Brady photograph taken in June of 1866 showing the numerous captured cannons where this mortar appears apparently at one end of the line of trophies. This fabulous relic existed at the time of the American Revolution, saw service in the Confederacy and was captured by DuPont in one of the first actions in Florida during the Civil War. PROVENANCE: Spanish Government. US Navy, Washington Navy Yard Trophy. Washington D.C. Scrapyard 1956. Frank E. Bivens, Jr. 1960. Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Cannon is dated 1750 and maker marked “JOSEPHUS BARNOLA FECIT BARNE 1750”. Joseph Barnola was one of the world-class master bronze founders of the 18th. C,, and surviving specimens are highly-prized for their artistic qualities as well as superb craftsmanship. Only a very few Barnola cannons are in private collections. Barnola served as director of the Spanish Royal cannon Foundry in Barcelona from 1738-1774. An especially elaborate rendering of the quartered Arms of Spain, within a chain, are cast in deep relief on the chase. The guns name is found in banner at breech “EL GAVILAN” (which translates: The Hawk). Left trunnion is marked “BRONZES VIEJOS”. The right trunnion is marked by the weights that can be seen in photographs. Gun overall exhibits a fine green patina with numerous small abrasions and blemishes as expected after 250 years. 4-54204 JS166 (90,000-125,000) – Lot 1402

Video: Mortar El Gavilan

Click here to view provenance

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1402	$97,750.00	Revised: 9/15/2014 Please note: The trophy numbers were inverted by mistake in the printed catalog. Whenever trophy #43 is listed, it should be #44; and whenever trophy #44 is listed, it should be #43. SPANISH SIEGE MORTAR DATED 1750 CAPTURED BY DUPONT AT FERNANDINA FLORIDA 1862. SN NSN. This is a most historic and important piece of American history. Not only was this cannon originally used to guard Castillo de San Marcos St. Augustine Florida in Spanish Colonial America it was only used by the Confederates to defend Fernandina Island in 1862. This mortar is marked with an inscription “Trophy No. 44″ matching a circa 1920 listing of trophies in the custody of the Naval History and Heritage Command. Trophy No. 43 is a very similar but larger mortar with an identical capture inscription. Both mortars are many other pieces of obsolete ordnance were sold by the Navy for scrap in in a 1956 era scrap drive when the Washington Navy Yard was in transition. Trophy No. 43 was purchased from the scrap yard by a Washington D.C. area dealer who in turn traded it to the National Park Service. It is now on display back where it was originally placed in the late 18th century at Castillo de San Marcos (the old Spanish fort) in St. Augustine, FL. Note that section of page from the 1821 treaty document between Spain and US regarding the turnover of E. Florida to the US, which states that four bronze weapons then in the Castillo, including one 7″ mortar would become US property. The 7” mortar mentioned could be none other than “EL GAVILAN”. This mortar was once displayed on the lawn of Quarters “H, Warrington Street” at the Washington Navy Yard. See the 19th century picture of the various trophies including this gun on display. Our consignor describes this wonderful piece of history as follows: “This large bronze mortar is of the old Spanish pattern, being very elaborate in design. Entwined dolphins form the lifting handle on top of the piece. The trunnions are in the form of a solid bar completely across the rear of the piece. The piece has a beautiful turquoise patina. The carriage is an Oak reproduction which serves as a stand only (not authentic). The bore of the piece bears many deep score marks from firing rough or strapped shells, and many of them. Fine Spanish mortars are rare in themselves, but “EL GAVILAN” (The Chicken Hawk) is especially interesting in that it is a Colonial American piece. It was apparently in use in Spanish Florida by the Spaniards until they were evicted. This mortar is pictured in the 1960 publication [i]Half Century Scrapbook of Vari-Type Firearms[/i] showing the Frank E. Bivins, Jr. collection as cataloged by F. Theodore Dexter, p.189 plate 89. It remained in the area (exact location unknown) until the Civil War, when it was placed into action by the Confederates. They used it to defend the Fernandina Island (unsuccessfully) in February 1862 when it fell to Union Troops. Authenticated documentation proves that this specific piece was one of at least two mortars captured on February 3, 1862 by Rear Admiral S.F. DuPont in the brief skirmish.” This cannon is listed originally in a manuscript document [i]Report of the State of the Artillery at St. Augustine, Florida for the Year 1790[/i] (in Spanish of course). The cannon is again listed in the deck log of the USS Flag March 8, 1862 among captured objects at Fernandina. Though mortars are not listed by name the inscriptions of capture bear this out. Note the Brady photograph taken in June of 1866 showing the numerous captured cannons where this mortar appears apparently at one end of the line of trophies. This fabulous relic existed at the time of the American Revolution, saw service in the Confederacy and was captured by DuPont in one of the first actions in Florida during the Civil War. PROVENANCE: Spanish Government. US Navy, Washington Navy Yard Trophy. Washington D.C. Scrapyard 1956. Frank E. Bivens, Jr. 1960. Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Cannon is dated 1750 and maker marked “JOSEPHUS BARNOLA FECIT BARNE 1750”. Joseph Barnola was one of the world-class master bronze founders of the 18th. C,, and surviving specimens are highly-prized for their artistic qualities as well as superb craftsmanship. Only a very few Barnola cannons are in private collections. Barnola served as director of the Spanish Royal cannon Foundry in Barcelona from 1738-1774. An especially elaborate rendering of the quartered Arms of Spain, within a chain, are cast in deep relief on the chase. The guns name is found in banner at breech “EL GAVILAN” (which translates: The Hawk). Left trunnion is marked “BRONZES VIEJOS”. The right trunnion is marked by the weights that can be seen in photographs. Gun overall exhibits a fine green patina with numerous small abrasions and blemishes as expected after 250 years. 4-54204 JS166 (90,000-125,000) – Lot 1402 Video: Mortar El Gavilan Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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SPANISH SIEGE MORTAR DATED 1750 CAPTURED BY DUPONT AT FERNANDINA FLORIDA 1862.