This exciting 12-pound bronze, smoothbore howitzer was manufactured in 1863 at the height of hostilities between the North and South. It’s combination of firepower and portability made it one of the most popular artillery pieces during the Civil War, and they are highly prized by collectors today due to their diminutive size and former use by Cavalry and Mounted Troops. These fully mounted guns could be pulled by a team at high speeds over roads and trails or by a two-man team with three horses or mules that could advance over rugged terrain or mountainous canyons to hold large numbers of enemy troops at bay with relative ease. The tube, carriage and ammunition were carried by separate animals attached to specially designed racks and with only two men, one of these guns could be assembled or broken down in less than a minute with a system of only 4 large pins holding it together. Once assembled, the gun could fire explosive shells or the more feared spherical case canister (which was loaded with one-inch lead balls) to spray large swaths of thunderous and fiery pain over 1000 yards to devastating effect upon foot or mounted troops. A Federal battery of four proved "highly effective" at the decisive battle of Glorieta Pass in New Mexico and Nathan Bedford Forrest frequently employed mountain howitzers for the rapid close-in combat that he favored to the very last days of the war. This example has the standard 4.62 inch bore (12 lb.) and is marked "224 No.105 1863 A. M. Co. A.B.D." around the face of the muzzle. The barrel measures 33 inches long on the exterior. It is mounted on a wonderful Paulson Bros. Ordnance Corp. marked carriage with ramrod and cleaning rod. The wood on the carriage is olive green and the metal fittings are mostly painted black. The wheels stand 38 inches tall. This gun is the perfect size for office or gun-room display. Very few American made Civil War Mountain Howitzers are in private collections and several have sold recently both privately and at auction beyond the 60k range, with one selling recently without a carriage for over $60,000. New, reproduction carriages cost $7,000 and up. This is a great opportunity to easily fit a wonderful artillery piece into any office or collection room, making it the centerpiece of conversation and awe.

Fine. The cannon tube shows use and has an attractive, smooth aged bronze patina with minor marks and staining with exceptionally crisp markings. The reproduction carriage is very good and has some oxidation on the wheels as is common.