soccersaver97 Posted August 22, 2015 Share #1 Posted August 22, 2015 Hi everyone, I am new to this forum. My name is Jarrett, I am 18 and about to head off to college. I love to collect/buy&sell antiques in general. I often buy militaria too if I believe it is unique. Back to this topic though... I recently purchased this photo from a local auction, but I wasn't able to figure out what model/make this gun was. I believe the photo is from around 1900. If anyone here can identify the gun or direct me to a source that might help me identify it, it would be greatly appreciated! (Lmk if the photos aren't high enough quality, I can always email larger photos if need be) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted August 22, 2015 Share #2 Posted August 22, 2015 I am moving this to our Firearms and Ordnance section for a better answer. I've seen this before, and I believe it was designed to be used by naval or Marine landing parties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soccersaver97 Posted August 22, 2015 Author Share #3 Posted August 22, 2015 Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted August 24, 2015 Share #4 Posted August 24, 2015 I have gone crazy trying to find this thing. I have found a number of photos of Span Am period machine guns that were mounted in a similar fashion. http://www.spanamwar.com/Coltmachinegun.htm I have also found photos of larger landing party howitzers. But this does not appear to be a machine gun. The other thing is the size of this is rather puny. It makes you wonder what the thought was in designing it. There is a chance this is not US. You may also want to research "Mountain Guns". What ever this thing is, it was designed to be lightweight for easily manhandling. Very likely the whole this disassembled for transport either by boat or mule. I am not being very successful in identifying this, but I am finding a lot about what it is not! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1SG_1st_Cav Posted August 24, 2015 Share #5 Posted August 24, 2015 It is a 1" or 2" cannon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted August 24, 2015 Share #6 Posted August 24, 2015 It is a 1" or 2" cannon. Any idea on when or where it was used, or by whom? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soccersaver97 Posted August 24, 2015 Author Share #7 Posted August 24, 2015 Hahaha, I really really appreciate your research! I took it to several of my friends that know militaria pretty well and was also unsuccessful. I will look into those mountain guns and small cannons to see if I can come up with something! Thank you for your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted August 24, 2015 Share #8 Posted August 24, 2015 I think its the 37mm Hotchkiss automatic cannon, also known as a mountain gun.......A Hotchkiss of some sort anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted August 24, 2015 Share #9 Posted August 24, 2015 I looked at photos of the Hotchkiss gun. It appears to have a round breech, while this one looks to have a rectangular breech. There is also some small rectangular structure above the breech on this one that did not match up with the Hotchkiss gun. I also don't think this is as large as 37mm. For all we know this was an experimental model, or someone's back yard project. One vulnerability of this weapon is the operator is fully exposed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted August 24, 2015 Share #10 Posted August 24, 2015 May be a one of a kind and the individual is the inventor. Perhaps a half scale example. Probably found in patent records no matter what it is. Wharf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soccersaver97 Posted August 24, 2015 Author Share #11 Posted August 24, 2015 I also looked at the hotchkiss gun, and I agree that it is close but not quite right. It could definitely be a homemade model, especially since he appears to be in his backyard. I appreciate all of your help in trying to tackle this mystery gun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted August 25, 2015 Share #12 Posted August 25, 2015 I looked at photos of the Hotchkiss gun. It appears to have a round breech, while this one looks to have a rectangular breech. There is also some small rectangular structure above the breech on this one that did not match up with the Hotchkiss gun. I also don't think this is as large as 37mm. For all we know this was an experimental model, or someone's back yard project. One vulnerability of this weapon is the operator is fully exposed. I agree with Gil. I think it's a an experimental gun because the fellow shooting it is a civilian.....or at least dressed like one. Ronnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill in VA Posted August 25, 2015 Share #13 Posted August 25, 2015 No, it's not an experimental gun. (And simply having a man in civilian attire firing it is not evidence that it is.) The gun looks like a Model 1906 50mm Krupps mountain cannon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted August 25, 2015 Share #14 Posted August 25, 2015 And simply having a man in civilian attire firing it is not evidence that it is It also does not make him an American Jarrett, is there a studio or makers mark you can see on the photo or frame? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soccersaver97 Posted August 25, 2015 Author Share #15 Posted August 25, 2015 There actually is a mark. It says "Hennigar Bros", which was formed in 1890 and is out of Connecticut. I think the model 1906 Krupps might be 100% correct. I was looking for the same hand crank when comparing models and the Krupps is the first to have a hand crank in the same location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted August 25, 2015 Share #16 Posted August 25, 2015 Interesting, having a Krupps gun in your Connecticut backyard..... Must have nice neighbors My original thought was also a Mountain gun, probably English or German. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted August 26, 2015 Share #17 Posted August 26, 2015 Maybe it is just my eye, but the barrel on the subject cannon looks too narrow to match the Model 1906 50mm Krupps mountain cannon. I don't think the bore is that large on this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccyooper Posted August 26, 2015 Share #18 Posted August 26, 2015 This appears to be a backyard cannon project. It is not even close to a real 1906 or earlier Krupps mountain rifle. Just start at the barrel end and work your back and you will see the differences. The smooth tapered barrel is somewhat like a Hotchkiss gun but that's about all that matches up. No expert but it just doesn't add up to be a production gun. The trail looks homemade as well at the sort of tractor seat item he appears to be sitting on. Just my humble opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gitana Posted August 26, 2015 Share #19 Posted August 26, 2015 If you can remove the photo from the frame perhaps there is some information on the back... ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted August 26, 2015 Share #20 Posted August 26, 2015 I'd be checking the local newspapers to see it any barns acquired mysterious holes or outhouses were blown to smithereens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linedoggie Posted August 26, 2015 Share #21 Posted August 26, 2015 http://jamesdjulia.com/item/1427-369/ Doesnt look like the Krupp M1906 to my eyes for one thing the bore looks like a 37mm or smaller like a 1.75" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted August 27, 2015 Share #22 Posted August 27, 2015 I am beginning to think that "cannon-like thing" may be the best description after all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soccersaver97 Posted August 27, 2015 Author Share #23 Posted August 27, 2015 Hahaha, I think I may have to stick to that^! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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