RARE AND UNIQUE WILLIAM HUBBELL ORIGINAL PATENT MODEL OF ECCENTRIC ROTATING BREECH CANNON.

SN NSN. William Wheeler Hubbell was an eclectic inventor who patented among other things, improved metallic cartridges over which he sued the US Government for patent infringement. This model is the first known rotating breech later utilized by the Nordenfelt rotating threaded breech block 75mm cannon introduced near the end of the 19th century which became the first globally-accepted “modern” piece of artillery. This system set the pattern for many 20th century field pieces. Hubbell patented this breech April 7, 1874 in Philadelphia according to markings on bbl and the U.S. patent: “William Wheeler Hubbell, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Improvement in breech-loading ordnance. Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 149,478, dated April 7, 1874; application filed March 18, 1874: Be it known that I, William Wheeler Hubbell, of the city of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a breech-loading cannon, of which the following is a specification: The object of my invention is to load at the breech, for all sizes of cannon, with serge-bag cartridge and elongated projectile, and secure it tightly to fire, and open the breech freely to load, conform to expansion and contraction, and produce a durable serviceable gun by the peculiar construction of a circular breech-block, and of the breech of the barrel, with their appliances, to operate together as described, and shown in the accompanying drawings.” Hubbell was no doubt ahead of his time as this device would not be utilized for almost 20 years and Hubbell would receive no contracts or compensation that we know of. This unique model has not been seen before. PROVENANCE: Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Tube measures 9-3/4″ overall with breech 2-1/4″ wide with a slender taper to a 7/8″ muzzle end with about a 5/8″ bore and weighs about 7 lbs. The handle for the rotating breech is broken off and the geared rotating breech is exposed on bottom of gun which appears to have had a soldered closure which is now missing, however the model very closely matches the patent drawing and is almost certainly Hubbell’s original, working patent model. Hubbell’s extensive testimony on guns, projectiles, and steel-making as well as this and several of his other patents are found in the REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ORDNANCE AND PROJECTILES, appointed under Senate Resolution of August 2, 1882. This important model is mounted on a more recent naval style stepped carriage with iron trunnion caps. Markings on bbl are well discerned though there are dings, dents and scratches partially obscuring a couple characters as can be seen in photos. 4-54153 JS291 (4,000-6,000) – Lot 1449

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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
	1449	$0.00	RARE AND UNIQUE WILLIAM HUBBELL ORIGINAL PATENT MODEL OF ECCENTRIC ROTATING BREECH CANNON. SN NSN. William Wheeler Hubbell was an eclectic inventor who patented among other things, improved metallic cartridges over which he sued the US Government for patent infringement. This model is the first known rotating breech later utilized by the Nordenfelt rotating threaded breech block 75mm cannon introduced near the end of the 19th century which became the first globally-accepted “modern” piece of artillery. This system set the pattern for many 20th century field pieces. Hubbell patented this breech April 7, 1874 in Philadelphia according to markings on bbl and the U.S. patent: “William Wheeler Hubbell, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Improvement in breech-loading ordnance. Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 149,478, dated April 7, 1874; application filed March 18, 1874: Be it known that I, William Wheeler Hubbell, of the city of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a breech-loading cannon, of which the following is a specification: The object of my invention is to load at the breech, for all sizes of cannon, with serge-bag cartridge and elongated projectile, and secure it tightly to fire, and open the breech freely to load, conform to expansion and contraction, and produce a durable serviceable gun by the peculiar construction of a circular breech-block, and of the breech of the barrel, with their appliances, to operate together as described, and shown in the accompanying drawings.” Hubbell was no doubt ahead of his time as this device would not be utilized for almost 20 years and Hubbell would receive no contracts or compensation that we know of. This unique model has not been seen before. PROVENANCE: Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Tube measures 9-3/4″ overall with breech 2-1/4″ wide with a slender taper to a 7/8″ muzzle end with about a 5/8″ bore and weighs about 7 lbs. The handle for the rotating breech is broken off and the geared rotating breech is exposed on bottom of gun which appears to have had a soldered closure which is now missing, however the model very closely matches the patent drawing and is almost certainly Hubbell’s original, working patent model. Hubbell’s extensive testimony on guns, projectiles, and steel-making as well as this and several of his other patents are found in the REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ORDNANCE AND PROJECTILES, appointed under Senate Resolution of August 2, 1882. This important model is mounted on a more recent naval style stepped carriage with iron trunnion caps. Markings on bbl are well discerned though there are dings, dents and scratches partially obscuring a couple characters as can be seen in photos. 4-54153 JS291 (4,000-6,000) – Lot 1449 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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RARE AND UNIQUE WILLIAM HUBBELL ORIGINAL PATENT MODEL OF ECCENTRIC ROTATING BREECH CANNON.