Conservation of a Copper Alloy Cannon Conservators: Jannicke K. Langfeldt and Maret Warner, Contract conservators working on Navy Projects. The cannon belongs to the Naval Historical Center. http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/org12-10.htm Bronn Major Cannon The cannon was brought from the Washington Navy Yard, Leutze Park, http://www.history.navy.mil/cannons/cannons.html to the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory for full conservation treatment on 01/16/2002. The cannon is described as bronze cannon with an inscription visible at the base ring: Bronn Major, In Wien 1843. Museums in Austria have been contacted in order to obtain information about the gun-founder that cast the cannon. During conservation we hope to find out more about the history of the cannon. History The cannon is an Austrian rifled 6-pounder howitzer made in 1843 in Vienna, used by the Confederacy. It was captured in 1862 in the blockade-runner COLUMBIA; a trophy inscription is found at the chase that connects with the second reinforce. The cannon is 62 1/4" in length and 15 1/2" wide. According to historical sources the weight is indicated at the forward end of the second reinforce as '7c 6f', an old Austrian measure which converted to English pounds is 778.99. (The Bronze Guns of Leutze Park Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. John C. Reilly Jr. Naval Historical Center Publication. 1980) Examination Examination and recording is crucial before hands can be laid on the object. This includes assessing condition, look for inscriptions and marks, and take measurements and pictures (see examination report). The recording is a continuos process, discoveries made during treatment and materials used for conservation needs to be documented for the future. It is essential for people to be able to trace the treatment history of the cannon.

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	For additional information and volunteer opportunities with the Conservation Department contact Howard Wellman at 410-586-8577 or email wellman@mdp.state.md.us