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Author Topic: Orignal Field Gun Carriages  (Read 1384 times)

Joe Walker

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Orignal Field Gun Carriages
« on: July 11, 2023, 08:58:53 AM »
I was wondering what is the latest regarding existing (orginal) field gun carriages, either US or CS.  I have seen orginal limbers (I have been a docent at the Texas Civil War Museum where there is one with box, etc.)  I have assumed that if any did exist, they would be in pieces and in a state of conservation.  Wheels would be non-existant.  I know of serveral reconstructed gun carraiges with original iron.

Any general comments would be welcome.

Thanks-  Joe Walker

emike123

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Re: Orignal Field Gun Carriages
« Reply #1 on: July 11, 2023, 01:27:51 PM »
There are some around, but they are rare and command quite a premium.  Original wheels are actually more common to find.  I bought a boat howitzer a few years ago (that was by the way on its original carriage), and in the same place the guy had 21 original wheels lines up along the wall.  I tipped off a friend of mine who got several of them.  I think the late Charlie Smithgall got the rest.

The carriage on my boat howitzer was metal, but the wheels were wooden and original.  They needed some TLC to tighten them up which Tom Bailey of Historical Ordnance Works did in a master craftsman-like and minimally invasive way.

Also a few collectors like to get carriages built with original irons.  These too command a significant premium, but are easier to get than ones with original wood.
« Last Edit: July 11, 2023, 01:33:31 PM by emike123 »