Rare signed brass yacht salute cannon by American manufacturer, Enoch Hidden. It is totally complete and original. The cannon is marked on the trunnion with the maker name and address: "E.S. HIDDEN / COR AV.C & 12 ST / NY." The carriage is solid and includes the original hardware. In outstanding condition. Circa 1850s.
The cannon is polished and lacquered and has an unusual, fully functional, percussion hammer that was operated by a lanyard. Percussion hammers of this type were perfected and patented by Enoch Hidden in 1842. Hidden developed the hammers from an earlier, 1831 design. As early as 1813, he was making cannon locks from flint. Hidden's early locks were used on the "USS President" in 1814.
Hidden manufactured his locks and sold them to the U.S. Army and Navy. They have a unique pulley and wheel system that goes off with striking force. A superb article on the subject, titled "Enoch Hidden and His Cannon Locks" was written by Fred Gaede and appears in in "Arms Collecting," Vol. 36, No 4.
Tube is 19 Inches Long. Length is Approximately 27 Inches Overall. Cannon is 14 Inches Wide Overall. 16 Inches Tall Overall. Bore is 1 1/4 Inches Wide. Weight is 56 1/2 Pounds.
