Objects

British Cannon Scale Replica Model
1960-1974
Maker not marked
England: Woolwich
a: brass; wood; metal; b: wood; brass; c-f: wood; metal; g: leather; rope; h-i: wood; metal
base: 18 x 12 x 1 in.; 45.72 x 30.48 x 2.54 cm
Gift of the Supreme Council, 33º, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, U.S.A., Gift of S. F. Hewitt
74.1.58

British Cannon Scale Replica Model; scale (1:11) replica of a British 6 pounder field piece of the Revolutionary War period; bronze tube (barrel) mounted on a wooden traveling carriage complete with appropriate iron work, shot and cartridge lockers, and loading tools, which include a worm, ladle, rammer/ sponge, and hand spike; tube cast with the Royal Cypher of George III; mahogany display base. a: canon; b: base; c-f: ammunition poles; g: fire bucket; h-i: ammunition boxes


The tube of a real 6-pounder is approximately six feet in length, weighs 880 pounds, and requires a two-pound charge of black powder for each solid iron shot of 3.5 inch diameter. This artifact in the collection represents one of the two six-pounders that comprised Lord Percy's artillery train that traveled with the main body of troops that reinforced and covered Col. Smith's retreat from Concord on April 19th, 1775. The British retreated through the center of Lexington and some shots were fired into the town [see: Br. cannon ball, 75.34, found on the south side of Merriam's Hill]. The location of the emplacement of Percy's field pieces is commemorated by two cement cannon in the front yard of the old Muzzy grade school building on Massachusetts Avenue in Lexington.