Lot 139
139
A RUSSIAN BRONZE ¼ POOD PATTERN 1805 (FIELD ARTILLERY) LICORN CANNON CAPTURED AT SEVASTOPOL
A RUSSIAN BRONZE ¼ POOD PATTERN 1805 (FIELD ARTILLERY) LICORN CANNON CAPTURED AT SEVASTOPOL
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A RUSSIAN BRONZE ¼ POOD PATTERN 1805 (FIELD ARTILLERY) LICORN CANNON CAPTURED AT SEVASTOPOL

CAST AT BRYANSK, DATED '1829', SERIAL NO. 71

Details
A RUSSIAN BRONZE ¼ POOD PATTERN 1805 (FIELD ARTILLERY) LICORN CANNON CAPTURED AT SEVASTOPOL
CAST AT BRYANSK, DATED '1829', SERIAL NO. 71
Of five stages, with belled sighted muzzle, two-stage chase, slightly conical second reinforce dated '1829', marked 'BRIANSK' in Cyrillic script, and with trunnions and plain dolphins, the trunnions respectively marked 'pu 21 fu 34' (the weight in Russian poods and pounds, equating to approx. 360 kilograms) and 'No 71', conical first reinforce, turned base-ring with pierced vent, and cascabel with flattened button, later painted inscription 'Fm the Crimea xxx 27 xxx'
61 in. (155 cm.) long; 6.1/8 in. (15.5 cm.) diameter of barrel
Provenance
Approximately 3000 Russian cannon of all types, sizes and weights were captured following the fall of Sevastopol and sent back to Great Britain. Some were given to towns and cities throughout the Empire to display as trophies, others found their way into museum collections and some were presented to notable families, the brace offered here being given by a grateful nation to the family of the late Field Marshal Lord Raglan.

Brought to you by

Katharine Cooke
Katharine Cooke

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Lot Essay

The Licorn is a type of Russian howitzer with a conical breech, a design which saved a considerable amount of weight over conventional cannon of a similar calibre. The unique design of the Licorn allowed it to be fired horizontally or in an elevated position, in effect replacing conventional howitzers and in part replacing mortars. This distinctive form of gun was named Licorn as the first examples, introduced in 1757, had licorn (unicorn) lifting-handles. In 1805 there were three types of Licorn in Russian military service, a heavy ½ pood gun and two of ¼ pood weight for field and horse artillery use. The present gun conforms to the dimension of a field artillery piece being slightly longer and heavier than that for horse artillery. The Pattern 1805 Licorn was to enjoy a long and successful service life.

Christie's would like to thank Igor Komarov, Director of The Feodor Tyutchev State Museum, Muranovo, for help in preparing this entry.

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