RARE MASSIVE JAN VERBRUGGEN 18th CENTURY 15″ BRONZE STONE MORTAR.

This massive 35″ h x 15″ dia bore mortar was salvaged from a Dutch East India cargo ship off the west coast of Africa. Jan Verbruggen was the patriarch of the Verbruggen family of bronze founders of Holland. Guns by Peter Verbruggen are rare and guns by his father are even rarer. This massive bronze mortar was used to shoot specially constructed baskets of small projectiles. Often, these were smaller exploding shells or grenades. The first use of such mortars in siege operations utilized baskets of stones – sent over city walls, thus the name “STONE MORTAR” as these large guns were known. As tactics changed, “STONE MORTARS” became obsolete by the mid 18th century and most have been smelted over the centuries. This is an excellent survivor with good patina that would be difficult to duplicate by a rarely seen founder. PROVENANCE: Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Bronze patina with pitting. Lifting handle in form of stylized dolphins is smooth & lacks anatomical detail. 4-54222 (12,000-16,000) – Lot 2083

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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
	2083	$10,350.00	RARE MASSIVE JAN VERBRUGGEN 18th CENTURY 15″ BRONZE STONE MORTAR. This massive 35″ h x 15″ dia bore mortar was salvaged from a Dutch East India cargo ship off the west coast of Africa. Jan Verbruggen was the patriarch of the Verbruggen family of bronze founders of Holland. Guns by Peter Verbruggen are rare and guns by his father are even rarer. This massive bronze mortar was used to shoot specially constructed baskets of small projectiles. Often, these were smaller exploding shells or grenades. The first use of such mortars in siege operations utilized baskets of stones – sent over city walls, thus the name “STONE MORTAR” as these large guns were known. As tactics changed, “STONE MORTARS” became obsolete by the mid 18th century and most have been smelted over the centuries. This is an excellent survivor with good patina that would be difficult to duplicate by a rarely seen founder. PROVENANCE: Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Bronze patina with pitting. Lifting handle in form of stylized dolphins is smooth & lacks anatomical detail. 4-54222 (12,000-16,000) – Lot 2083 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.

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RARE MASSIVE JAN VERBRUGGEN 18th CENTURY 15″ BRONZE STONE MORTAR.