Lot 1166

Documented Civil War U.S. 1835 12-Pounder Mountain Howitzer

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Documented Civil War U.S. 1835 12-Pounder Mountain Howitzer

Estimate: $25,000 - $40,000

Starting Bid: $18,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Rare Documented Civil War U.S. Model 1835 Bronze 12-Pounder Mountain Howitzer with Carriage and Accessories First adapted in 1835, the 12-pounder mountain howitzer closely followed patterns established by the French for a lightweight and agile weapon that could be taken into rough terrain in support of infantry for both fixed battle and raid activity. While designed to be fired from a wheeled carriage, the 12-pounder and its accoutrements were designed for transport via mule, with the howitzer pulled on the carriage if terrain permitted for greater speed or broken down and packed on the back when travel got rough. The small size of the weapon left it at a disadvantage in a duel with opposing artillery, and the lack of ammunition caissons limited endurance in sustained battle, but the 12-pounder could provide infantry support in environments other guns of the era simply could not go, giving a marked edge in those areas. They saw use in the Mexican-American War, Civil War, and Indian Wars. During the Civil War, these howitzers found their best use in areas like West Virginia and on the frontier. Limited production continued for a few years after the Civil War for continued frontier duty. This howitzer is bronze construction, 37 inches in overall length and 12 inches wide across the trunnions, and features the noted "US" marking on top, a fixed pin front sight, both the guide line for an elevator sight and three drilled and tapped holes for a "pendulum hausse" sight base (not included) on the rear ring, and 2 3/4 inch trunnions. The carriage is constructed from green painted hardwood and black painted iron and has a turnscrew elevation adjustment mechanism. The carriage measures 83 inches long and 41 inches wide across the axle and has 38 inch diameter wheels. Also included is a pack saddle for an artillery piece that appears to be the correct size for the howitzer, a pair of ammo boxes, a hardwood stand for the pack saddle, and two vent liners (one in original style, one in the style of Bannerman). This Mountain Howitzer was formerly the property of James Hudkins of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, a shop teacher, Civil War reenactor, and close personal associate of the consignor. It is noted as having been in his possession by the time of the Civil War Centennial c. 1960-1965 and then used in reenactments from the Centennial on into the 1990s in conjunction with a reproduction carriage. The consignor's communication with Washington State University in 2023 led to the discovery of correspondence between authors Carl P. Russell (contributor to "Guns on the Early Frontiers") and James Hazlett, which revealed that Hudkins' howitzer had legible markings when documented by Hazlett in the 1950s. It is recorded on page 296 "Field Artillery Weapons of the Civil War" by Hazlett, Olmstead, and Parks where it is noted as having been manufactured by Cyrus Alger & Company of South Boston, Massachusetts, with registry number 231, foundry number 1277, a weight of 219 pounds, inspected by Thomas J. Rodman on February 28, 1863, and located in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Hudkins' many years of active firing and cleaning subsequently wore the markings aside from the "US" on top of the tube between the trunnions.

Manufacturer: None

Model: None

BBL: 31 inch round

Gauge: 12-Pounder

Finish: bronze

Class: Other

  • Provenance: The James Hudkins Collection; A Private Collection
  • Condition: Very good, with a clearly legible "US" marking, mixed aged patina on the bronze, scuffing and oxidization on the iron, and mild handling marks overall. The vent hole has been repaired/braised and is clear. The pack saddle is fair, with loss and damage to the leather, detached girth strap, and scuffing of the wood, and the ammunition boxes are fine. An attractive artifact of the American Civil War, with the potential to be a centerpiece in an advanced collection of American martial weaponry.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000