Manufactured in 1880 by Hotchkiss of Paris, France, this is a desirable example of a rare 1.65 inch "2-Pounder" Hotchkiss Model 1875 mountain gun with carriage. Reportedly, only 56 of these were manufactured and purchased by the U.S. Army between the late 1870s to 1890s, originally as a replacement for the 12-pounder mountain howitzer. These are considered to be the first breech loading modern cannon in U.S. inventory. The Hotchkiss mountain guns were well received due to their portability and light weight, in which they could be easily disassembled and packed on two mules with 72 rounds of ammunition on each mule. They were used by U.S. cavalry units out west against the Nez Perce, in the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890, during the Spanish-American War of 1898 at the Battle of Las Guasimas, the Battle of El Caney and the Battle San Juan Hill (aka Battle for the San Juan Heights) in Cuba, and the Philippine-American War of 1899-1902. These 1.65 inch caliber (42 mm) mountain guns originally used a charge of 6 ounces of powder, and a metallic percussion primed shell weighing two pounds. Two basic types of ammunition were issued including explosive shells with impact fuses, effective up to approximately 3,500 yards, and canister, effective within a few hundred yards against personnel or animals. This example has been arsenal updated to centerfire. It has ten-groove rifling, a steel post front sight mounted at the right side center of the tube, an adjustable brass notch rear sight, the top breech area of the tube has a circular marking that reads "HOTCHKISS PATENT/PARIS 1880" around "No 50", and matching number "50" is marked on the right side of the breech block. It fires using a lanyard pull string (not included). The gun is mounted on a Hotchkiss steel carriage with wooden wheels, brass fittings including the Archibald Wheel Co. hubs, assembly numbers "1" and "2" marked on the tops of the axles, and an oval brass data plate on top of the carriage that reads "HOTCHKISS' PATENT/PARIS 1884" around "No 76". Absent elevation mechanism on the carriage. The tube measures approximately 46 inches from muzzle to cascabel, with a 42 inch inside bore length, with overall measurements including the carriage approximately 75 inches long by 40 inches wide by 38 inches tall.

Fine overall, retains most of the black painted finish on the tube with a few patches of flaking, a few spots of pitting/corrosion, golden aged and bright patinas on the brass components, and defined markings. Mechanically fine. A rare example of a Hotchkiss 1.65 inch "2-Pounder" mountain gun, worthy of a prominent spot in any advanced military firearms collection!