Please ID bronze cannon

[Patrick H]

Hello, Friends. Yesterday fellow member, Boonslick,and I took a short road trip to Glasgow, Missouri to visit the historic Lewis family cemetery as well as some of the sites within the town itself. Glasgow was the site of a Civil War fight during Price's invasion of 1864. I suspect in commemoration of that event, a bronze cannon stands in front of the historic library. I am pretty sure this was actually a field piece, originally mounted on an axle and large wheels. As you can see, though, the barrel is now permanently mounted on a concrete base. It has acquired a beautiful patina and seems in excellent condition overall. Boonslick photographed the piece in profile and also got a detailed shot of the muzzle, showing well-preserved casting or stamping around the rim. What can you artillery folks tell me about this piece?

 

[John Winn]

I'm pretty sure that's a 12 lb Napoleon, model of 1857. It was cast by the Henry N. Hooper company in Boston, MA and the T.J.R. stands for Thomas J. Rodman who inspected the tube. So, yes, it would have been a field piece.

 

[Legion Para]

I'm pretty sure that's a 12 lb Napoleon, model of 1857. It was cast by the Henry N. Hooper company in Boston, MA and the T.J.R. stands for Thomas J. Rodman who inspected the tube. So, yes, it would have been a field piece.

John is correct.

The average weight for a 12 lb Napoleon bronze barrel was 1227 lbs. Your second photograph tells us this barrel weighs 1233 lbs, is barrel No. 185 and was manufactured in 1863.

 

[Patrick H]

VERY Interesting! Thanks to each of you!

 

[rob63]

Doesn't the muzzle face say "Revere Copper Co."? Wasn't Hooper a different company with different markings?

 

[Legion Para]

Doesn't the muzzle face say "Revere Copper Co."? Wasn't Hooper a different company with different markings?

You might be right rob63. I'm viewing this on my tablet which isn't as good as my MAC.

Here is an excellent article on the Revere Cooper Co. and their cannons. Revere Cooper Co. manufactured 443 Napoleons, more than any other supplier of cannons.

https://markerhunter.wordpress.com/2011/02/21/revere-napoleons/

 

[Legion Para]

Here is an article on the Henry N. Hopper Napoleons and it points out some interesting details.

https://markerhunter.wordpress.com/2009/01/09/henry-n-hooper-napoleons/

 

[John Winn]

Doesn't the muzzle face say "Revere Copper Co."? Wasn't Hooper a different company with different markings?

By jove I think you're right. At first glance it looked like Hooper and since I was familiar with that maker I just jumped on it. Looking closer I do think I can clearly see "copper" and an "Rev". Well, at least I got the right gun model and inspector !

 

[Boonslick]

This is most probably a surplus cannon that was given to the Lewis Library or the City of Glasgow, Mo. During the battle of Glasgow (1864) the Union had no artillery. Following the battle the confederates, under General's Clark and Shelby , removed themselves from the city with their artillery intact.

 

[Booner]

Slightly off topic--What ever happened to the cannons that were on the lawn of Kemper Military School?
And I don't remember if they were Civil War Era or not.

 

[Boonslick]

I believe that they were Spanish American War vintage. When Kemper closed in 2002, I believe that they were "retrieved" by the Missouri National Guard. Patrick H will correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Booner]

Thank you

 

[Patrick H]

Slightly off topic--What ever happened to the cannons that were on the lawn of Kemper Military School?
And I don't remember if they were Civil War Era or not.

Booner, I was a Trustee of Kemper when she closed. I can tell you with confidence that those cannons were returned to the Missouri National Guard in Jefferson City, MO, upon the closing of the school. That was in the year 2002.

About a year ago, two friends and I made the short road trip down to Jefferson City, MO to visit the National Guard museum and the State Capitol museum. I specifically inquired about the fate of the Kemper cannons while at the National Guard museum. Unfortunately, the soldier on duty that day was unfamiliar with those cannons. I told him what I now tell you: "It's okay. I know for certain they were returned to the state's National Guard in 2002 and I know they are in this city SOME PLACE."

 

[Legion Para]

Booner, I was a Trustee of Kemper when she closed. I can tell you with confidence that those cannons were returned to the Missouri National Guard in Jefferson City, MO, upon the closing of the school. That was in the year 2002.

About a year ago, two friends and I made the short road trip down to Jefferson City, MO to visit the National Guard museum and the State Capitol museum. I specifically inquired about the fate of the Kemper cannons while at the National Guard museum. Unfortunately, the soldier on duty that day was unfamiliar with those cannons. I told him what I now tell you: "It's okay. I know for certain they were returned to the state's National Guard in 2002 and I know they are in this city SOME PLACE."

Is this one of the cannons?

http://www.newstribune.com/news/2011/aug/05/two-cannons-donated-ike-skelton-training-center/

Two cannons donated to Ike Skelton Training Center
Charles Machon, director of the Museum of Missouri Military History, and Adjutant Gen. Steve Danner look at the engraving on one of the museum's recent acquisitions. This is an 1890s-type cannon used by a St. Louis unit during the Spanish-American War. It had been housed at the now-closed Kemper Military School in Boonville. Photo by Julie Smith.

 

[Booner]

L. Para & Patrick H
Thank you both.

I am constantly amazed that whenever someone posts a question here, it's shortly answered. A lot of information hanging out here.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

This is a truly amazing group of people!
J.

 

[ole]

The flare at the muzzle identifies it a Union. Confederate copies had a different flare. Brass Napoleon ought to know a thing or two about it.

 

[Patrick H]

Is this one of the cannons?

http://www.newstribune.com/news/2011/aug/05/two-cannons-donated-ike-skelton-training-center/

Two cannons donated to Ike Skelton Training Center
Charles Machon, director of the Museum of Missouri Military History, and Adjutant Gen. Steve Danner look at the engraving on one of the museum's recent acquisitions. This is an 1890s-type cannon used by a St. Louis unit during the Spanish-American War. It had been housed at the now-closed Kemper Military School in Boonville. Photo by Julie Smith.

LegionPara, thanks for this follow up. I think this is good news. Man...it has been a LONG time since those cannons looked that good! And, yes, it is one of the two Kemper cannons.

 

[Specster]

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Doesn't the muzzle face say "Revere Copper Co."? Wasn't Hooper a different company with different markings?

I lived a large part of my life in the area where Paul Revere lived. AS I recall the last company associated with Paul Revere was a silver company. I am not saying that there was not a Revere Copper but, as I recollect, Revere Silver was bought up by Towle Silver, which was somewhat of a player in the finished silver manufacturing end.


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[John Winn]

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I lived a large part of my life in the area where Paul Revere lived. AS I recall the last company associated with Paul Revere was a silver company. I am not saying that there was not a Revere Copper but, as I recollect, Revere Silver was bought up by Towle Silver, which was somewhat of a player in the finished silver manufacturing end.


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Here's a synopsis of the history of Revere Copper:

http://www.revereware.org/info/id9.html

And here's a little about their production of Napoleons:

https://markerhunter.wordpress.com/2011/02/21/revere-napoleons/