RARE & UNIQUE PAIR OF MOFFATT PATENTED BREECH LOADING CANNON.

Richard R. Moffatt of Brooklyn, New York patented and produced for trials a new matching pair of cannon, one being a 12-pound smooth-bore and the other a 3.4″ rifle, both utilizing his 1875 patented breech system that reinforced the breech area with less metal in bbl itself. Moffatt had earlier experimented with breech loading cannon during the Civil War and at least one of his designs was tested at the Washington Navy Yard in 1863. This pair of mostly steel construction are very well made with reinforced band at center of tubes and with trunnions on its lower projection. The center of these bands has areas for pivot of the strap-type breech. A long 30″ lever at back of cannon pivots the breech-strap such that a bottom hinged breech block opens, exposing area for deployment of cartridge. A modern 90mm gun casing fits the smooth-bore gun quite well. When the breech is closed, the breech block has a vent that goes to center of casing where various ignition systems could be employed but as now made takes a friction primer. This pair of cannon were made to fit the boat Howitzer cartridges that were currently in use by USN for 12-pounder & 3.4″ rifles. Though there are no markings on either tube, these are no doubt the patterns Moffatt made for trials as illustrated in his US Patent of February 16, 1875 (Patent #159834). An entry in the US Navy’s “Record of Miscellaneous Guns” in the National Archives records these two guns as having been received at the Boston Navy Yard from the Boston Iron Co. in Feb. 1877. This is a remarkable pair of unique tubes and the only pair ever made. A video link on our website shows the function of breech – which is amazing for speed rounds can be fired. These cannon are both fully functional & ready for action. PROVENANCE: Bannerman’s Lenox Resort, Eastover, Massachusetts; Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Both cannon measure about 70″ overall including mount with 55″ bbls, 13-1/2″ wide at breech, 12″ trunnion to trunnion. 2″ integral front blade sights are present with a 1/4″ chip on 12-pounder. 12-pounder breech mechanism works well and there is a modified 90mm cartridge that fits breech quite well. Bores in both tubes are smooth & very good, rifling in rifle tube is quite crisp & well discerned. Consigner’s business can supply two types of steel cartridge cases which are easily modified to make usable cases for 12-pounder and 3.4-inch weapons respectively . Tubes are mounted on almost identical, pivoting steel mounts with steel 11mm (.45″) mounting plates. Stands and tubes are painted black overall, surfaces are quite smooth. Rifle has an iron screw in vent & smooth bore has a brass vent. Both have a large brass spanner nut intake attaching a cylindrical downward projection about 10″ long & 3″ diameter, , threaded inside to mate with the existing elevating screws of the Dahlgren field carriages. All orig with restored levers. 4-54243 (20,000-30,000) – Lot 2051

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
	2051	$25,875.00	RARE & UNIQUE PAIR OF MOFFATT PATENTED BREECH LOADING CANNON. Richard R. Moffatt of Brooklyn, New York patented and produced for trials a new matching pair of cannon, one being a 12-pound smooth-bore and the other a 3.4″ rifle, both utilizing his 1875 patented breech system that reinforced the breech area with less metal in bbl itself. Moffatt had earlier experimented with breech loading cannon during the Civil War and at least one of his designs was tested at the Washington Navy Yard in 1863. This pair of mostly steel construction are very well made with reinforced band at center of tubes and with trunnions on its lower projection. The center of these bands has areas for pivot of the strap-type breech. A long 30″ lever at back of cannon pivots the breech-strap such that a bottom hinged breech block opens, exposing area for deployment of cartridge. A modern 90mm gun casing fits the smooth-bore gun quite well. When the breech is closed, the breech block has a vent that goes to center of casing where various ignition systems could be employed but as now made takes a friction primer. This pair of cannon were made to fit the boat Howitzer cartridges that were currently in use by USN for 12-pounder & 3.4″ rifles. Though there are no markings on either tube, these are no doubt the patterns Moffatt made for trials as illustrated in his US Patent of February 16, 1875 (Patent #159834). An entry in the US Navy’s “Record of Miscellaneous Guns” in the National Archives records these two guns as having been received at the Boston Navy Yard from the Boston Iron Co. in Feb. 1877. This is a remarkable pair of unique tubes and the only pair ever made. A video link on our website shows the function of breech – which is amazing for speed rounds can be fired. These cannon are both fully functional & ready for action. PROVENANCE: Bannerman’s Lenox Resort, Eastover, Massachusetts; Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Both cannon measure about 70″ overall including mount with 55″ bbls, 13-1/2″ wide at breech, 12″ trunnion to trunnion. 2″ integral front blade sights are present with a 1/4″ chip on 12-pounder. 12-pounder breech mechanism works well and there is a modified 90mm cartridge that fits breech quite well. Bores in both tubes are smooth & very good, rifling in rifle tube is quite crisp & well discerned. Consigner’s business can supply two types of steel cartridge cases which are easily modified to make usable cases for 12-pounder and 3.4-inch weapons respectively . Tubes are mounted on almost identical, pivoting steel mounts with steel 11mm (.45″) mounting plates. Stands and tubes are painted black overall, surfaces are quite smooth. Rifle has an iron screw in vent & smooth bore has a brass vent. Both have a large brass spanner nut intake attaching a cylindrical downward projection about 10″ long & 3″ diameter, , threaded inside to mate with the existing elevating screws of the Dahlgren field carriages. All orig with restored levers. 4-54243 (20,000-30,000) – Lot 2051 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.

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RARE & UNIQUE PAIR OF MOFFATT PATENTED BREECH LOADING CANNON.