MASSIVE THUNDER VALLEY HOTCHKISS MODEL 1880, 2″ REVOLVING CANNON, SERIAL NUMBER 0001

MASSIVE THUNDER VALLEY HOTCHKISS MODEL 1880, 2″ REVOLVING CANNON, SERIAL NUMBER 0001

03-1639
Cal. 2″
S# 0001

Bbl. 29.5″. Designed by American inventor Benjamin B. Hotchkiss during the Franco-Prussian War era (1870–1871). He was tasked with supervising the manufacture of metallic cartridges. After witnessing several battles where the current firearms technology was insufficient, his new project became a priority. At the time, the 1868 Congress of St. Petersburg had forbidden the use of exploding shells by European nations for small arms. Shells over 14 ounces (400 grams), however, were not considered “small arms,” so in order to use the projectiles he had designed, his new guns would have to be much larger than current standard ammunition. His original Hotchkiss machine gun of his design was chambered in 37mm (1.45 in.), weighing 455 grams (1 pound). The Hotchkiss Revolver Cannon is a manually operated (by crank) cluster of five rotating barrels revolving around a solid breech block. It was capable of achieving a rate of fire of over 60 rounds per minute from his exploding shells. By the time the design was finalized, it was too late for the current war, but following extensive trials, it was purchased for use by several nations, including Brazil, China, and the United States.

This particular example was manufactured by Michael B. Suchka of Thunder Valley Engraving and Thunder Valley Machine Company, as well as numerous miniature-scale replicas of the Hotchkiss and Gatling Guns. This one boasts serial number 0001 and features the massive 2″ Hotchkiss cartridge. The massive, 5-barrel cluster is encased by a beautiful ornamentally engraved brass receiver, measuring 23″ in length and 13″ in diameter. There are two brass barrel bands on the cluster, the front measuring 1.25″ and 12″ in diameter, and the rear measuring 3.125″ thick and 12.75″ in diameter. They are both ornamentally engraved, and the rear band has numbers corresponding to each barrel. The left side of the brass receiver is engraved, “THUNDER VALLEY HOTCHKISS / PALMYRA, NEBRASKA U.S.A / MODEL 1880 CALIBRE 2 INCH / SERIAL NUMBER 0001”. The back of the brass receiver is engraved “HOTCHKISS REVOLVING CANNON / 2″ / CALIBRE”. The left side of the receiver is engraved in very small letters: “BLACK POWDER ONLY”.   The cannon is mounted on an equally impressive wood and iron carriage with wheels measuring 58″ in diameter. The wood is painted red and accented with black painted iron bands, hardware, and accents. MAGS: 1 steel, 17″ tall feed chute that bolts onto a brass receiver. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Full length cleaning rod. PROVENANCE: the collection of Gun Sport Ltd., owned by Jon R. Thomas. NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE REQUIRING BATF TRANSFER BEFORE TAKING POSSESSION. FULLY TRANSFERABLE.

STATUS: MODERN CLASS III