12-POUNDER IRON CANNON CAST AT MT. AETNA FURNACE, C.

Found “in situ” on the grounds of Mount Aetna Furnace 200 years later by the property's then-owner, Mr. Carl W. Shafer, this circa 1776 cannon was a “waster” or reject. Note its rough unfinished surface and the extra metal or sprue at the muzzle end (into which slag contained in the molten metal would rise), which would have been cut off had the center core forming the bore not shifted during the casting process. By viewing down the barrel, one can see that the bore is offset, rather than centered. Mount Aetna Furnace was located one mile west from its predecessor Antietam Furnace south of Hagerstown, Maryland, both operated by the Hughes brothers, Daniel and Samuel, during the Revolutionary War period. The Hughes had numerous contracts with the state of Maryland and the Continental Congress for production of iron cannon, primarily naval guns such as this twelve-pounder (so-called from the weight of the ball it fired). Although it never saw military or naval use, this cannon is extremely important from a historical standpoint, being a specific pattern produced in America during the Revolutionary War epoch. As most iron cannon of the 18th century were unmarked, the dimensions and profile of this cannon, coupled with scientific analysis of its iron, would allow for verification of other cannon whose origins are currently unknown, as products of the same furnace. It is extremely rare, being one of only a handful of identifiable American-made, cannon from the war currently known. The cannon measures 89" in length from cascabel to muzzle and 18" in diameter at the breech, with an approximate bore of 4-1/2"; trunnions are 5" in diameter. CONDITION: The barrel with surface oxidation and moderate to heavy pitting from both its rough-cast process and subsequent “burial”, the iron cannon is otherwise stable and highly displayable, but would benefit from light cleaning and protective coating by a qualified restorer or conservator. JLK