Brown Segmental Tube Wire Gun temporary stock certificate 1898 (New York)

Series No 6 Temporary Certificate with an impressive vignette of a mounted cannon. Hand signed by two Medal of Honor winners as trustees. Dated 1898. Issued and not cancelled. Measures approximately 10.5 x 8.5 inches.

The company had offices in Temple Court – near New York City Hall. Signed by John H. Brown and Harvey M. Munsell as Trustees. Incorporated 1889, the company made 5", 6”, and 10” cannons during the Spanish American War and WWI. On May 18, 1898, John H. Brown and Harvey M. Munsell entered into a contract with the United States for the manufacture of twenty-five 5-inch and twenty-five 6-inch segmental guns, including gun mounts, for use during the Spanish-American War. These guns were known as "Brown segmental" guns and were covered by patents secured and owned by Brown and Munsell. May 23, 1898.

A segmental-tube wire-wound gun is a 19th-century artillery design combining a segmental inner core (or tube) wrapped under tension with steel wire to prevent the gun from bursting. This design used high-tensile wire, such as the Brown Segmental Gun, to provide structural integrity against high chamber pressures while keeping the gun’s overall weight lower than traditional built-up, all-steel guns. Unfortunately, the Brown and Munsell design was condemned as being of too low power.

John H. Brown (1842–1898) was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War who was awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism at the Siege of Vicksburg. First Sergeant John H. Brown's Medal of Honor recognized his actions during the assault on Vicksburg on May 19, 1863, where he voluntarily carried a critical message through heavy enemy fire.

Harvey May Munsell (1843 – 1913) was an American soldier who fought with the Union Army in the American Civil War. Munsell received his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for actions taken over the course of 13 engagements from July 1–3, 1863 during the Battle of Gettysburg. Gallant and courageous conduct as color bearer.

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