Mr. Clay's new breech-loading gun, 1862. Creator: Unknown

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Mr. Clay's new breech-loading gun, 1862. Creator: Unknown

Mr. Clay's new breech-loading gun, 1862. Mr. William Clay, of the Mersey Steel and Iron Works, Liverpool, has just invented a beautiful breechloading gun made by a rolling process patented by him, by means of which he is enabled to manufacture cannon at a much lower cost than has hitherto been possible. But the chief excellence of his gun consists in the method of loading, which, on account of its simplicity, admits of the greatest rapidity of firing, no less than nineteen rounds having been fired within a minute with the greatest ease...The gun represented in the illustration is a wrought-iron 12-pounder used by the brigade of Volunteer Artillery, of which Mr. Clay is Lieutenant-Colonel'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862

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Media ID 35120611

© The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Armaments Artillery Breech Loading Cannon Heavy Artillery Innovation Breech Illustrated London News White And Black

FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS

> Arts > Artists > W > William White

> Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Fire Brigade

EDITORS COMMENTS
This image showcases Mr. William Clay's groundbreaking invention, a breech-loading gun produced in 1862. Mr. Clay, an esteemed figure at the Mersey Steel and Iron Works in Liverpool, England, revolutionized the manufacturing process of cannon through a patented rolling method. This innovation significantly reduced the cost of production. However, the true brilliance of Mr. Clay's gun lies in its loading mechanism. With this simplified method, an impressive nineteen rounds could be fired within a minute with effortless ease. The gun depicted in the illustration is a 12-pounder wrought-iron cannon, which became a valuable addition to the Volunteer Artillery brigade, of which Mr. Clay held the esteemed title of Lieutenant-Colonel. The image, published in the Illustrated London News in 1862, offers a glimpse into the 19th century's technological advancements in military weaponry. The engraving, an art form popular during this era, beautifully captures the intricate details of the gun and its innovative design. This piece serves as a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of the time, as well as the significant impact of Mr. Clay's invention on the world of heavy artillery and warfare.

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