Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 May 1889 — The "Griffin.” [ARTICLE]

The "Griffin.”

One of the strangest pieces of artillery in Europe is at Metz and is known by the name of the “Griffin,” from the figure of the fabulous animal which is to be found among the ornamental portion of its w orkmanship. The gun was cast in 1529 at Ehreubreitsteiu, near Coblentz. It is 17 ihet in length and 3 in diameter. The liore is 104 inches; weight, 22,500 pounds. Its carriage is 24 feet in length and the weight of the ball which it carries is 157 pounds; 42 pounds of powder is required for the charge. Napoleon intended it for the war department, Paris, but found difficulty in transporting it.