Page 190 - 4094-BOOK3

LOT 3276
Incredibly Rare Civil War Era Wiard Rifled Dahlgren 12-Pounder Boat Howitzer with Carriage -
NSN, 12-Pounder cal., black finish. This is an extremely rare example of a Civil War era Wiard rifled
Dahlgren 12-pounder boat howitzer. While some Dahlgren howitzers were originally made
smoothbore for use with firing shell, shrapnel, and canister, this example is a rifled variant
for use with firing shot and shell, and differs from the standard Dahlgren howitzers in
that the Wiard manufactured examples are made out of semi-steel, a low-carbon alloy.
The period carriage is stamped “FROM NORMAN WIARD” on the side, mounted with
two modern made wooden ammunition crates with stencil painted letters “US/
(navy anchor)/12 pdr./WIARD” on the lids, and on wood wheels.
Some are seen in period Civil War era photos with iron wheels, as well as wood wheels as seen on the carriage of this example. Very few of these are in
private hands today, and they hardly ever come up for sale. Surviving examples reside at historic sites, battlefields, and museums. They were designed by
Lt. John A. Dahlgren of the U.S. Navy following the Mexican-American War after investigating the potential use of the Army’s field howitzers by the Navy
for mastheads, launches, and Marine landing parties. Previously a mix of weapons were used which were logistically an issue. These were used with a few
versions of carriages designed by Dahlgren. The guns were formidable and period reports claim an experienced crew could get off 10 shots in a minute.
Another example of a Wiard rifled Dahlgren boat howitzer can be seen on page 145 of “Field Artillery Weapons of the Civil War” by Hazlett, Olmstead and
Parks. The howitzer has no visible markings on the tube, a 12-groove rifled bore with a 3 1/2 inch diameter, and the tube measures approximately 64
inches in overall length from muzzle to tip of the cascabel. MEASUREMENT NEEDED: BARREL LENGTH
CONDITION: Good, retains most of the applied black painted finish with extensive moderate pitting visible underneath the finish. Professionally restored
carriage is also fine, retains 98% applied gray painted finish.
Estimate: 25,000 - 45,000
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