Hotchkiss 1875 - Kaufman Army Navy

The U.S. Army purchased its first breech-loading cannon in 1877 from the arms manufacturer Hotchkiss & Company located in Paris, France. Designed in 1875, the quick firing Mountain Gun as Hotchkiss referred to it marked a major technological advance in the use of artillery on the battlefield for a number of fascinating reasons:

First: The Hotchkiss breech-loading mechanism used self-contained ready-to-fire projectiles, which allowed the gun to be loaded and fired in mere seconds! Cannoneers in armies the world over who sponged down a cannon’s barrel between firings and later rammed down the charge had suddenly become ‘obsolete’! When compared to the older and mammoth size twelve-pound M1841 howitzer and the M1857 Napoleon used extensively by both Union and Confederate forces during the American Civil War (1861-1865), these amazing weapon and ammunition innovations were nothing short of revolutionary!

Second: The Hotchkiss could be easily dismantled and transported. A single pack mule carried its two wheels, a second mule carried the center carriage and a third mule carried the ammunition. The gun could then be quickly reassembled on the battlefield when necessary.

Because of the mules’ ability to traverse the hilly terrain so common throughout the Amer-ican West, Hotchkiss batteries served with U.S. Cavalry units during the final years of the Indian Wars (1870s-1890s). The guns also saw service during the Spanish-American War in Cuba (1898) and the Philippines Insurrection on the Philippine Islands (1899-1902).

Third: Fewer soldiers were required to operate the Hotchkiss compared to the much larger field pieces used during the Civil War. This was due to its much smaller size, lighter weight and ready-to-fire projectiles. In addition, the limber and caisson that carried the ammunition for the earlier model cannons and the team of six horses re-quired to transport all three together immediately became unnecessary! These dra-matic changes resulted in significant savings of men, horses, oats (for the horses) and other vital war material for the War Department.

This Hotchkiss is one of only 56 produced during the period 1877 to 1897.

It’s also one of the original pair (Hotchkiss Nos. _____) that flanked the entrance to our 42nd Street store beginning in the year 1958, when ‘Mr. Kaufman’ placed them outside for the first time. For almost 60 years that’s where they remained, braving the elements every single day, come rain or shine or snowy weather.

In 2017, the cannons were removed from outside our store and professionally restored to their original 19th Century appearance. Just as they have welcomed generations of New Yorkers and visitors alike from around the country and the world over in years past, our Hotchkiss continues its important mission to this very day!

Our Nation’s honor was tarnished forever on December 29, 1890, towards the closing days of the American Indian Wars.

On that date, at the Battle of Wounded Knee in South Dakota, the famed 7th U.S. Cavalry at-tempted to disarm a camp of the Lakota Sioux Indians, who had agreed to surrender. Their num-ber was comprised mostly of defenseless elderly and women and children.

History has recorded that the action went terribly wrong and it quickly erupted in a melee. Although written accounts vary, an unequal battle ensued and the Cavalry, sup-ported by a battery of four Hotchkiss guns, massacred hundreds of the Lakota