CIVIL WAR BRONZE MOUNTAIN HOWITZER WITH EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL CARRIAGE AND CAISSON

Inv. 02-15493

Registry #88, 12 pounder.

12-pounder mountain howitzers were used to great effect in many engagements in the Mexican War, Civil War, and Indian Wars. It was the workhorse of mobile troops, especially cavalry. Used to fire only anti-personnel ammunition including explosive shell, case shot, or canister. This a beautiful 1863 dated US model 1835 mountain howitzer and is the only one surviving on an original prairie carriage and caisson according to the accompanying letter of provenance. Inspected “ABD” (Alexander B. Dyer) on muzzle along with weight “225” pounds, “AMCo” (Ames Manufacturing Company, Chicopee, Mass), registry “No 88”. Foundry number “108” stamped on the right rimbase. Ames, America’s preeminent cannon maker manufactured only 112 mountain howitzers during the Civil War and this is among the best. Most survivors are in parks and museum collections.

PROVENANCE: donated to Fort William Henry Harrison, Terre Haute, IN 1916; property bought by BPOE and became Elks Ft. Harrison Country Club; ex-Ken Watterson collection; ex Hank Williams, Jr collection; private North Georgia collection.