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Armstrong 40 Pounder RBL Gun, Como Park
LocationWilliams Road SOUTH YARRA, STONNINGTON CITY LevelIncluded in Heritage Overlay |
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Statement of Significance
What is Significant? All of the gun's original fabric is considered to be significant (including markings on the gun identifying the date and place of manufacture and the barrel weight). The granite blocks on which the gun is mounted are not significant. How is it significant? Why is it significant? The gun is significant as an extremely rare example of this type of nineteenth century artillery piece surviving in Victoria (Criterion B). It is also significant for its ability to demonstrate the major advances in artillery technology that came with the introduction of breech loaded rifled barrels (Criterion F).
The Armstrong 40 pounder RBL gun located in Como Park, South Yarra was manufactured in 1864 at the Royal Gun Factory, England. It was one of six such guns sent to Victoria in 1865 for use in coastal defence. The guns were designed with rifled barrels and breech loading mechanism to achieve greater rates of fire with more accuracy over long distances. One of the Armstrong guns was donated to the Prahran City Council in the early twentieth century and relocated to Como Park c1930-34. It is understood to be one of only three Armstrong 40 pounder RBL guns surviving in Victoria.
The Armstrong 40 pounder RBL gun in Como Park, South Yarra is of local historical and technical significance. The gun is also potentially significant at a State level.
The Armstrong gun in Como Park is of historical significance for its association with the early defence of the colony of Victoria (TEH 5.5 Defending Australia, Criterion A). It demonstrates the dependence of the colony on British arms and military expertise.
Group
Military
Category
Defence Objects (movable)