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78

18th Century Spanish Cannon Circa 1775

Currency:USD Category:Antiques Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
18th Century Spanish Cannon Circa 1775
All items sold as is where is. See photos for condition, email info@burleyauction.com or call 830-629-9280 (Prior to sale day) if you have specific condition questions.

Winning bidders will receive an invoice on or before the TUESDAY following the auction.
Uncovered in a sand pit excavation in Atascosa County north of Pleasanton, Texas in the 1940s. It was eventually sold at a garage sale and ended up at a gun show in San Antonio where it was purchased by Taylor Tomlin.

This iron cannon barrel is of the type used by frontier Presidios in the 18th century as illustrated in the book entitled, “Spanish Colonial Arms and Armor”, by Brinkerhoff and Chamberlain.

There are a number of Presidios in the geographical area where it may have been used, including San Antonio de Bejar, Presidio del Norte on the Rio Grande and in Janos, Coahuila, Mexico.

Just as historically interesting, the barrel was found in the general area of the 1813 Battle of Medina. Despite the implied location near the Medina River, the massive military encounter was a running battle that may have taken place further south in an area of thick oak and sand.

On August 18, 1813, Spanish forces fought a rebel army, including a number of Anglo-Americans trying to remove Spanish control of Texas.

Records of the victorious Spanish General Arrendo, claim to have seized 22 cannons of different sizes from the opposing forces. This three pound cannon may have been mounted as a field howitzer by the Republican forces but now resides on the type of Presidio carriage used on the colonial frontier.

Unfortunately there are very few records maintained of any cannons that were introduced to the Texas Colonial Frontier. Some arrived directly from Spain and were assigned to protect the Presidios. Others were stripped off of the many shipwrecks which washed ashore along the Gulf of Mexico. Most were taken to the Presidio la Bahia and sent to the new missions that were being built near the Rio Grande River during the late 1700s. This particular cannon barrel speaks for itself, as the patina which can be seen on the top and sides, contrast with the bottom which displays a different color where it was partially buried and tainted by the sun.
The History Shop Staff/Jim Guimarin. 32" L (36" with base).
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