18th Century American 12-pounder Cannon
by John L. Morris
The cast-iron cannon pictured was one of dozens of cannons deaccessioned by Fort Ticonderoga, NY, at auction ca. 2016. It was purchased by an east-coast militaria dealer who kept it in storage since the auction. Its condition, given its age of about 250 years spent mostly outdoors, is actually very good, except for the trunnions and vent. The trunnions are extensively corroded, possibly from having been displayed on a wooden carriage while exposed to the elements. The vent is greatly enlarged, which normally results from extensive firing. Recently the cannon was measured to identify the date and country of manufacture. The critical measurements were: Bore diameter 4.6 in., nominal length 87.5 in., basering diameter 15.3 in. What remains of the trunnions are below the barrel’s centerline, which means it probably predates 1780, when the writings of John Muller convinced most cannon designers to place trunnions on the centerline. The dimensions of the cannon are very close to those of one version of the 12-pounder iron “garrison gun” called out in the English Board of Ordnance regulations of 1764 (length 90 in.). The weight given for the English piece, in hundredweights, is 29-1-0. Conversion to pounds: (29 x 112) + 28 + 0 = 3,276 lbs.
This gun’s profile differs significantly from that of contemporaneous English weapons, which had more “mouldings” (raised rings) than the ex-Ticonderoga piece. Also, English iron guns usually have a very conspicuous royal cypher cast in relief on top of the gun. The most familiar example on surviving specimens is “GR” for George Rex, meaning King George. The only easily visible mark on the Fort Ti piece is an incised numeral “2” which we know, by its off-center-right location, is probably the last digit in a multi-digit “hundredweight” marking. The overall contour of this cannon is greatly “streamlined” and simple compared to cannons of similar size cast in other countries. Harold Peterson’s classic book “Round Shot and Rammers” (Stackpole, Harrisburg, 1969) contains good drawings of similar-size cannons of the same timeframe made in Spain, France, Sweden, and England and all have much more complex contours than the Ticonderoga piece. In view of the information above, this gun is likely of American make, and almost certainly predates 1780.
This size and type of gun was known as a “Garrison gun” in English service, meant for use in fixed fortifications. It could also be used as a “battering piece” to lay siege to and destroy such fortifications or used in certain locations aboard ship. In 1778, Henry Knox, the American Chief of Artillery, specified in great detail the artillery he required for an Army brigade. His list included twelve 12-pounder cast iron battering pieces on traveling carriages. His requirement for traveling carriages, as opposed to garrison carriages (similar to ship’s truck carriages), meant he wanted them to be fully mobile, thus capable of offensive employment. The Fort Ti specimen could well have been pressed into service aboard ship as a bow or stern “chaser” but for various reasons beyond our scope, longer guns were generally used for broadside mounting. Some may be wondering if this gun could have been one of those moved from Fort Ti and Fort Crown Point to Boston by Henry Knox in December 1775, which is an interesting topic for future research. Knox’s “Noble Train” did include ten 12-pounder iron guns. However, this particular gun most likely arrived at Fort Ti during the early 20th century, when the Pell family was gathering cannons from everywhere, including the U.S. government, to display in the fort.
Future research will consist of a search of records of 18th Century American cannon founders, and a search for any surviving identical weapons with legible markings. The author hopes a reader will recognize an identical cannon in a cemetery, on a monument, or on a courthouse lawn, measure it, record any markings, and contact him.
