Exeter in Rockingham County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)
George Leonard Smith Gun
Captain Smith was a native son of Exeter, a prolific inventor, and a veteran of three wars.
This cannon incorporates the breech mechanism he invented, which was used on land and sea by the United States and Great Britain during World War I & World War II.
His invention was of incalculable value to the triumph of freedom.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, World I • War, World II.
Location. 42° 58.831′ N, 70° 57.68′ W. Marker is in Exeter, New Hampshire, in Rockingham County. Marker is at the intersection of Winter Street and Railroad Avenue and Columbus Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Winter Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Exeter NH 03833, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Exeter NH Exeter Gas Works (approx. half a mile away); Second Burial Ground (approx. half a mile away); Powder House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Ladd-Gilman House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Exeter Town House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Abraham Lincoln Speaks in New Hampshire (approx. ¾ mile away); a different marker also named Powder House (approx. ¾ mile away); Exeter NH War Memorial (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Exeter.
More about this marker. Marker is at the north end of Winter Street Cemetery.
Regarding George Leonard Smith Gun. In the design of breeches (tailpieces) for naval guns and large artillery pieces, two important improvements were introduced about a century ago. First came the stepped, interrupted-thread breech block invented by Swedish engineer Axel Welin in about 1890. This was followed in about 1916 by the Smith-Asbury mechanism that unscrews the breech block and swings it aside in a continuous motion, allowing the gun to be reloaded efficiently. This mechanism was developed by Lt. Cmdr. George Leonard Smith and Draftsman Dorsey Frost Asbury of the Naval Gun Factory, Washington Navy Yard.
Also see . . .
1. YouTube Training Movie. U.S. Navy training film for the 16-inch guns used on Iowa-class battleships. The breech operation is shown several times, such as right after 5:55 on the time slider. (Submitted on June 5, 2010, by Roger W. Sinnott of Chelmsford, Massachusetts.)
2. Another YouTube clip. USS Missouri (BB-63) firing its 16-inch guns during the 1st Iraq War in 1991. About 57 seconds into the video, you can see the Smith-Asbury breech mechanism being opened and another round loaded. (Submitted on June 5, 2010, by Roger W. Sinnott of Chelmsford, Massachusetts.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2010, by Roger W. Sinnott of Chelmsford, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 2,244 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 5, 2010, by Roger W. Sinnott of Chelmsford, Massachusetts. 5. submitted on August 4, 2016, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. 6. submitted on June 5, 2010, by Roger W. Sinnott of Chelmsford, Massachusetts. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.