US Army Cannon Heater No 20 Value Guide

The US Army Cannon Heater No 20 is a rugged cast iron potbelly stove designed to be virtually indestructible for military use between 1900 and 1940. As the largest standard size produced, these heaters are highly collectible artifacts of American military history that once warmed barracks and hospitals.

What Is US Army Cannon Heater No 20 Worth?

The typical price range for US Army Cannon Heater No 20 is $1,450 - $1,600 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Overall condition of the cast iron, specifically looking for cracks or significant pitting from rust.
• Completeness of the unit, including the original shaker grate, ash door, and top lid.
• The clarity and legibility of the 'US Army' and 'No 20' embossed markings.
• Functional status, as stoves restored for safe coal or wood burning command higher market prices.

How to Identify US Army Cannon Heater No 20?

• Look for the 'No 20' designation cast directly into the iron, indicating it is the largest military size.
• Verify the 'U.S. ARMY' or specific military markings typically found on the door or the side of the stove body.
• Check for the heavy-duty potbelly silhouette and thick-walled cast iron construction characteristic of early 20th-century military outposts.
• Inspect the grate and internal assembly for original military-grade casting patterns.

History of US Army Cannon Heater No 20

These heaters were standard issue for the United States Army during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Designed to be virtually indestructible, they were primarily used to heat barracks, hospitals, and administrative buildings on military outposts. The No. 20 is the largest of the standard sizes produced for the military.