Lot 263

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Description:

CIVIL WAR SHIP ARMOR PATENT MODEL
An excellent relic from the Civil War era of ironclad battleships, a scaled model of Charles Hodge Hudson's armor clad patent with original patent ticket attached. Hudson, a native of Roxbury, MA, ran several companies including a screw manufacturing plant and telegraph service, and was a prolific inventor. Hudson's armor clad invention, Patent # 44426 calls for, "...the introduction of water between heavy metallic armor and its support in such a manner that the water shall form a perfectly-fitting and practically incompressible backing to the plates...". Hudson argues that his invention has merit because, "...it is now known that sufficiently heavy projectiles, having great velocity, penetrate in some degree the thickest armor-plates yet applied to vessels, and shatter the support of the armor...", which a middle layer of water would solve. The orange patent application ticket, signed "C.H. Hudson" is dated May 26, 1862, which likely places Hudson's inspiration to the March, 1862 Battle of Hampton Roads. This famous battle between ironclads Virginia and Monitor caused notice around the world and made unarmored wooden ships obsolete. Hudson's patent was granted on September 27, 1864, but soon fell out of favor due to other advances in armoring technology, notably compound and Krupp steel armoring. The relic is an excellent condition, with an engraved silver name plate and minor toning only on the attached patent certificate. Included is a copy of the patent declaration.

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May 13, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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Bid Increments
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$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 + $1,000