Armas de las Islas Filipinas: 37mm Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon

Barrel Length: 29 inches x5
Action: Hand Cranked Revolving Gatling Gun Action
Effective Range: 2,000 yards
Rate of fire : 40 rounds per minute
Capacity: 10rd Magazine Fed
Caliber: 37mm (Explosive, Shrapnel Canister, and Solid)
Muzzle Velocity: 1,450fps
Weight of Round - 1.5 lbs
Weight Towed: 1,000lbs
Year Built: 1872
Service: 1872-1900

Invented by Benjamin B. Hotchkiss in 1872. The Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon, also referred to as the Hotchkiss Gun, operated similar to the Gatling gun in which the barrels would rotate by hand crank in order for each cartridge to fire. The Hotchkiss design differed from the Gatling gun by using only one striking pin mechanism, versus's the Gatlings which had a firing pin mechanism for each barrel. The Hotchkiss cannon was a massive piece of artillery but still was considered light enough for units to take the piece in to battle by use of horses. Other countries would adopt the revolving cannon for their military. They would eventually be mostly used on fortress defense and naval battleships. The US Army used this particular Hotchkiss cannon during the assault on Malolos. The revolving cannon would eventually prove to be to excessive. Considering the waste of munitions and a larger single barrel cannon were found to be just as effective. By early 1900s, the revolving cannon would later be replaced by single barreled cannons.

Photograph of Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon used during the Battle of Malolos(March 24-31,1899).
Note the bullet riddled shield from the Filipinos rifle fire.

Hotchkiss Cannon over destroyed bridge on route to Malolos, Bulacan, Philippines.

Chief of Artillery Major Richard Young reports on the Malolos Campaign(March 1899). Listed are the field pieces used on the assault; including three Hotchkiss Revolving Cannons.

Photo courtesy of http://philippineamericanwar.webs.com/
Hotchkiss Revolving Canon used near Manila Waterworks, Sitio Escombro, Barrio Santolan, Pasig. Feb. 6, 1899