Revolutionary War Artillery Ring Gauge for 8” mortar or cannon

This is another rare and early piece coming out of a 60-year collection of French & Indian War/Revolutionary War artillery. Being offered is a Revolutionary War forged iron gauge to check that cast cannonballs were of the proper diameter. This gauge measures approximately 16 ½” long overall, and the diameter of the ring is 8” - the size for an 8” cannonball or mortar (see pictures). There is an excavated example of an artillery gauge in the Ft. Ticonderoga Museum (see pictures). There is also an 8” mortar at the Yorktown Battlefield (see pictures).

All cannonballs had to be very carefully manufactured to be perfectly-round, so they would not jam inside the cannon or mortar barrel during firing -- which could cause the cannon itself to burst. Usually, one artilleryman would be designated to double-check the balls before being fired.

This gauge remains in very nice, solid condition, having some slight overall roughness, but no chipping or flaking. This collection began in the late 1950s and was created by private acquisitions, closed museums, and from lake divers. The collector meticulously displayed and cataloged every piece along with any known provenance. There were two gauges in this collection, the first sold immediately.

This is the first time this ring gauge has been on the open market, and it is truly a great piece of early American History. It definitely merits a place in an advanced collection or museum. This is one of those artillery tools that are very scarce and desirable. It definitely merits a place in an advanced collection or museum. As with all the pieces in this esteemed collection, a Certificate of Authenticity will be included. As with all items on the website, the very friendly layaway is available.