Information on the Hughes Breechloading Cannon

[Championhilz]

While doing some research today, I found the following letter written by D. W. Hughes, inventor of a small breechloading cannon that was used by the Confederacy on a limited basis. They were used in Missouri and Mississippi during the war, and as information on these interesting little guns is hard to find, I thought I would share this letter - it is located in the John J. Pettus Correspondence at the Mississippi Department of Archives & History:

Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 5/62

Gov. Pettus

Sir on my return from New Madrid to this city after delivering to Gen. Thompson the last four of his ten guns I find here Col. Price of Missouri, Chief of Ordnance for the state who is now purchasing arms, and as Gen. Thompson is absent (at Richmond) and I have no gun for exhibition or inspection of Col. Price I ask of you the favour to forward to me what you regard as a true statement of the utility of my gun, especially for Missouri warfare, as a letter from you will do much to secure to me a contract, and at the same time greatly add to the necessities of the state you have seen as much and know as much about the gun as any of the men having seen it tried and heard others talk who have seen it used if you can lend your influence in my favour I will be under many obligations for the same hoping to hear from you by return mail I await your most obedt. Servt.,


D. W. Hughes


Someone has an original Hughes cannon for sale - you can see it here: http://www.cannonsuperstore.com/hughescannon.htm

 

[rebelatsea]

While doing some research today, I found the following letter written by D. W. Hughes, inventor of a small breechloading cannon that was used by the Confederacy on a limited basis. They were used in Missouri and Mississippi during the war, and as information on these interesting little guns is hard to find, I thought I would share this letter - it is located in the John J. Pettus Correspondence at the Mississippi Department of Archives & History:

Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 5/62

Gov. Pettus

Sir on my return from New Madrid to this city after delivering to Gen. Thompson the last four of his ten guns I find here Col. Price of Missouri, Chief of Ordnance for the state who is now purchasing arms, and as Gen. Thompson is absent (at Richmond) and I have no gun for exhibition or inspection of Col. Price I ask of you the favour to forward to me what you regard as a true statement of the utility of my gun, especially for Missouri warfare, as a letter from you will do much to secure to me a contract, and at the same time greatly add to the necessities of the state you have seen as much and know as much about the gun as any of the men having seen it tried and heard others talk who have seen it used if you can lend your influence in my favour I will be under many obligations for the same hoping to hear from you by return mail I await your most obedt. Servt.,


D. W. Hughes


Someone has an original Hughes cannon for sale - you can see it here: http://www.cannonsuperstore.com/hughescannon.htm

I'm interested in the breech mechanism, the photos are good ,but don't explain a lot !

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

I'm interested in the breech mechanism, the photos are good ,but don't explain a lot !

A YouTube video posted by @civilwartalk

 

[rebelatsea]

A YouTube video posted by @civilwartalk

Thanks. I didn't know that existed. A very simple mechanism, I wonder how large you could take that before it became impractical. I note the gun is a multi-landed rifle, also the modern charge seems to be enclosed in baking foil!

 

[Poor Private]

Up here in Michigan we have a arty unit that has a Hughes cannon. Strangly enough the commander is John Hughes. This unit is out of Battle Creek. They also fire a 6# original brassie.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

Thank you for sharing the video of the reproduction Hughes Cannon being fired. The gunner doing the sighting is the late Brian Haack, a very talented engineer and machinist, and long time friend. May he rest in peace having left this earthly existence far too prematurely.
J.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Thanks. I didn't know that existed. A very simple mechanism, I wonder how large you could take that before it became impractical. I note the gun is a multi-landed rifle, also the modern charge seems to be enclosed in baking foil!

Another similar weapon was the Williams Gun,

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/new-page-williams-gun.98894/#post-861203

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/the-williams-gun.96236/

 

[rebelatsea]

Thank you for sharing the video of the reproduction Hughes Cannon being fired. The gunner doing the sighting is the late Brian Haack, a very talented engineer and machinist, and long time friend. May he rest in peace having left this earthly existence far too prematurely.
J.

I am very sorry to heat, it is always sad when you lose someone ,but especially so if it it before their time