2021-02 Raynors HCA Live
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/6/2021
War-date Confederate Autograph Letter Signed "D.R. Williams" 1pp. oblong quarto, Richmond, Virginia, April 15, 1864, addressed to General Ruggles, and reads in part: "...Just as we were ready to put up the goods for your requisition, a report comes from Genl. Polk's Hd Qrs that he does not want any more of the 'odd size' guns, as the ammunition is troublesome...We are making them 2.25 caliber - the same as the present 'Mountain Rifle' and shooting the same ammunition; and will have them ready for service by the middle of May..." Fine condition. The Williams gun was a Confederate gun that was classified as a 1-lb cannon. It was designed by Captain D.R. Williams, of Covington, Kentucky, who later served as an artillery captain with a battery of his design. It was a breech-loading, rapid-fire cannon that was operated by a hand-crank. The barrel was four feet long and a 1.57-inch caliber. The hand crank opened the sliding breech which allowed the crew to load a round and cap the primer. As the crank was continued, it closed the breech and automatically released the hammer. The effective range was 800 yards but the maximum range was 2000 yards.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.