Brit 24 pound coehorn

[threepdr]

I thought y'all might enjoy this.  I snapped this shot while in Plymouth England a couple of weeks ago.  It is a wonderful condition bronze 24 pounder Coehorn mortar.  It is Napoleonic era, but essentially the same as those made during the Revolution.  It was sitting on its muzzle in a window sill in a Elizabethan house museum.  The museum folks only knew it was a mortar and "came from the harbor."  They had no explanation why it was being displayed in an Elizabethan house without any markings or interpretation.  They were a bit surprised when I told them what it might be worth.  Too bad it is so unappreciated (and too heavy for my luggage!)
 
I've inverted the image so you can see it better.
 

 
 
 

[cannonmn]

Thanks for the nice picture.  I hate to be picky (I'm lyin' of course!) but did you measure it for bore diameter?  To me it looks more like the 4.5-inch Coehorn.  If I'm not mistaken, the Brits called their 5.5-inch bronze mortar a "Royal."  That size would be closer to a 24 pounder.

[threepdr]

Cannonman, you are correct the Brits called their 24pdr a 5.5 inch and the nomenclature was a "Royal."  I could not move this tube to see the bore, however the outside deminsions suggested a 5.5 inch bore.  Also notice that the vent field has been altered.  Part of it has been milled off and some holes added nearby.  It looks like it may have had a flint or percussion firing device attached at one time.

[A.Roads]

A very nice example, made by John & Henry King in the Royal foundry, the first I have seen adapted to take a cannon lock.
Also nice to see it hasn't been polished to death, unlike mine, see below.
Adrian
 
 

[seacoastartillery]

      Does anyone know the type and vintage of this  mortar which Mike and I found at Ft. Niagara in 2007?  Looks like it may have seen some use in years not long past.

Tracy

[threepdr]

Tracy,
 
Could you tell the bore size?  The bed is exactly like those illustrated for a 4.5 inch mortar in Muller's Treatise on Artillery.  This tube appears to be stuck in the bed facing the wrong direction.

[Bob Smith]

Cypher of George II- 1727-1760. Must have been cast by Andrew Schalch at Woolwich or William Bowen or Richard Gilpin, both working in Southwark, London.
Bob Smith

[seacoastartillery]

      Threepdr,   The tompion was stuck fast, so we didn't attempt to pry it off the muzzle, being respectful of museum or fort artifacts.  We both had the impression of bigger rather than smaller.  You're right about the tube being mounted in the wrong direction.  We never have seen one mounted like that before.

      Bob,   Thank you, very interesting and it makes this piece a possible capture or leave behind item during that unpleasantness in 1812 and 1813.  Ft. George is right across the Niagara River.  Those forts, if memory serves, changed hands more than once during those years.

Tracy and Mike

[KABAR2]

If  by the one set of handles on this for lifting I would say this may be a grenade mortar
if memory works around a 2,25 inch bore .... most likely a repro like mine below....

[Cannoneer]

A very nice example, made by John & Henry King in the Royal foundry, the first I have seen adapted to take a cannon lock.
Also nice to see it hasn't been polished to death, unlike mine, see below.
Adrian

Adrian,

I really admire your mortar, but I can see what you mean about it being perhaps a little too well loved over the years.

[cannonmn]

Does anyone know the type and vintage of this mortar which Mike and I found at Ft. Niagara in 2007? Looks like it may have seen some use in years not long past.

I agree, repro.  It is not exactly like any British bronze mortar I've seen, in the outline.  COA looks slightly different from authentic examples.  If they were firing it recently, it is unlikely they'd fire an original.  NPS is not allowed to fire original guns, at least last time I checked, and Ft. Niagra, although a New York State park, most likely does likewise.