I am seeking documentation prepared by or for the Spanish monarchy, other than museum catalogs, which describes the design, employment, ammunition, carriages, etc. for either model of Spanish "Obuseros," the production of which apparently began in the 1780's. I have seen these referred to as "Model 1781" but cannot find documentation to support that nomenclature.
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A. Obuseros de 3: The "Obuseros" shown is an example of the smaller of two versions cast by Spain beginning in the 1780's. These were light (apparently) mountain howitzers used by Spain well into the 19th C., and certainly during the W. of 1812. There are many examples in Spanish museums and a few in the United States. A few of each size are documented in CATALOGO DEL MUSEO DEL EJERCITO, Madrid, 1956, although some are curiously described as captured English pieces.
This webpage is the only non-museum catalog documentation I have been able to find (last two lines of the table refer:)
http://www.histarmar.com.ar/InfHistorica/ArtilleriadeMarina/10-PedrerosyFalconetes.htm Details of the specimen pictured:
Bore: 3.07 in, measured horizontally
Length, overall: 31 in.
Length, nominal 27 in. (muzzle to rear of basering)
Basering dia: 6.1 in.
Muzzle O.D. 5.1 in.
Bore incl. chamber 25.1 in.
Bore, muzzle to chamber front end: 22 in.
Chamber dia: about 1.9 in.
Chamber length: about 3.1 in.
Chamber is basically cylindrical, perhaps very slightly conical.
Weight: Approx. 130 lbs.
Ignore trunnion embellishments, they are temporary additions to adapt it to a different carriage for shooting.
Provenance: Ex-Forgett collection, Ex-Dimely collection, Ex-Waterloo memorial in a church in UK.
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B. Obuseros de 4: There are three specimens of the "Obuseros de 4" set halfway into a wall at West Point. The basic measurements of those, whose West Point catalog numbers are 52, 61, 62 (thanks to Mr. Paul Ackermann of West Point Museum for obtaining these measurements)
-nominal length 30.0 inches
-bore diameter 3.375 inches
-O.D. at muzzle 5.875 inches
-O.D. at basering 6.625 inches
Markings: The larger version differs from the smaller in that the larger always has a "full menu" of Spanish cannon markings, including a given name, whereas the smaller model has only a registry or foundry number on the end of one trunnion.
Details on West Point "4 pounder" specimens (from 1929 museum catalog, pp. 236)
"52. 4 Pdr. Bronze Mountain Howitzer. In Memorial Hall. Inscribed GIROLA. Made at Barcelona, Spain, March 12, 1790. The copper used in the manufacture of this gun was brought from America...
61. 4 Pdr. Bronze Mountain Howitzer. In Memorial Hall. Made at Sevilla, Spain in July, 1799. The copper used in the manufacture of this howitzer was obtained from Mexico and from the Rio Tinto mine in Spain.
62. 4 Pdr. Bronze Mountain Howitzer. In Memorial Hall."
Provenance given for 61,62: "Surrendered to the forces of the United States at Monterey, September 23, 1846."
The link goes to a brief slideshow with additional photos of the "Obuseros de 3."
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Any assistance you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Additional pix of 3-pounder version:
http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b62/cannonmn/miscforumsetc/forums39/?action=view¤t=63ead4cf.pbw
