ARSENAL MODEL OF 20″ RODMAN CANNON.

SN NSN. This is a unique manufacturer’s model of the massive 20″ Rodman cannon, no doubt made at the Ft. Pitt Foundry. The overall length of this model is about 45-1/2″ with bbl length of about 24-1/2″. Bore diameter is 2-inches which makes this a 1/10 scale model. This model has the remains of a complete set of muzzle markings, which are corroded, but part of “TJR” for Thomas J. Rodman can still be discerned. Other muzzle markings would have included the date, registry number and weight. Modern forensic techniques should be able to make those markings visible. The marks and quality will be similar to those on the 15″ Ft. Pitt model and this larger piece is almost certainly their product as well. It is mounted on the correct type iron carriage. The full sized massive Rodman cannons were manufactured under Rodman’s use of solid casting, among the first large cannon made with this technology, which Americans excelled at during the Civil War era. For a cannon this large the casting process took several days and involved many tens of thousands or maybe hundreds of thousands of gallons of water for cooling the core of the casting to relieve internal stresses caused by the older, “solid casting” method. Ft. Pitt Foundry was the first to use Rodman’s patent for hollow casting guns. The first prototype 15″ cannon was cast December 23, 1859. During the Civil War era only two 20-inch Rodman guns were made. According to Olmstead, Stark and Tucker in their text The Big Guns “of the two 20-inch guns known, only the first is documented. At least one other, also recorded was evidently sold to if not actually cast for the government of Peru.” The two surviving cannon are now located at Ft. Hamilton, NY and Ft. Hancock, NJ each weighing in at a mere 58 tons per tube. Projectiles weighed 1000 lbs and no target could stand up to such a weapon. No wonder so few were made. This particular model is in fine condition and presents quite well. PROVENANCE: Denny Pizzini Collection, George W. Starke; Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Smooth, black painted and patinaed surfaces with pitting. Bore is rusted and pitted. 4-54245 (4,000-6,000) – Lot 2050

Click here to view provenance

Auction: Firearms - March 2015

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
	2050	$3,450.00	ARSENAL MODEL OF 20″ RODMAN CANNON. SN NSN. This is a unique manufacturer’s model of the massive 20″ Rodman cannon, no doubt made at the Ft. Pitt Foundry. The overall length of this model is about 45-1/2″ with bbl length of about 24-1/2″. Bore diameter is 2-inches which makes this a 1/10 scale model. This model has the remains of a complete set of muzzle markings, which are corroded, but part of “TJR” for Thomas J. Rodman can still be discerned. Other muzzle markings would have included the date, registry number and weight. Modern forensic techniques should be able to make those markings visible. The marks and quality will be similar to those on the 15″ Ft. Pitt model and this larger piece is almost certainly their product as well. It is mounted on the correct type iron carriage. The full sized massive Rodman cannons were manufactured under Rodman’s use of solid casting, among the first large cannon made with this technology, which Americans excelled at during the Civil War era. For a cannon this large the casting process took several days and involved many tens of thousands or maybe hundreds of thousands of gallons of water for cooling the core of the casting to relieve internal stresses caused by the older, “solid casting” method. Ft. Pitt Foundry was the first to use Rodman’s patent for hollow casting guns. The first prototype 15″ cannon was cast December 23, 1859. During the Civil War era only two 20-inch Rodman guns were made. According to Olmstead, Stark and Tucker in their text The Big Guns “of the two 20-inch guns known, only the first is documented. At least one other, also recorded was evidently sold to if not actually cast for the government of Peru.” The two surviving cannon are now located at Ft. Hamilton, NY and Ft. Hancock, NJ each weighing in at a mere 58 tons per tube. Projectiles weighed 1000 lbs and no target could stand up to such a weapon. No wonder so few were made. This particular model is in fine condition and presents quite well. PROVENANCE: Denny Pizzini Collection, George W. Starke; Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Smooth, black painted and patinaed surfaces with pitting. Bore is rusted and pitted. 4-54245 (4,000-6,000) – Lot 2050 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - March 2015 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.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}

ARSENAL MODEL OF 20″ RODMAN CANNON.